Friday, January 14, 2011

Teacher Training Day 2

     We once again loaded up into the taxi van with Shane, and headed to our schools. On arrival, we noticed that the school was much busier with parents and learners registering and paying school fees from the previous and for the upcoming year. Because of this, the administration and most of the teaching staff was very busy and had very little time to tell us where to go or what to do. That being said, we kept ourselves busy mingling with some of the staff in the staff room. I also received a short project from Mae Mae, who just liked giving me work to do, I think.
     After some time, we wandered outside to check out the school grounds and say hi to some of our future students. We immediately made quick friends with 2 boys--Jonas and Ben. these boys had collected papers, a stick, and lollipopl sticks to make airplane propellors and were running around making them spin. They followed us for a while, and posed for some pictures. We then went back in to see if one of the HOD's or the principal was available.
     Myka, one of the HOD's, nicely went and asked Mrs. Kamahenne what our placements would be. He returned to tell us that he would work with us to place us wherever we desired. That being said, Janelle took all PE classes. She will now be teaching 13 periods of PE for 3 days a week. Molly and Jessica Porter will be working with the 4th grade classes. Veronica was placed with a 7th grade math and home economics teacher.
     I, however, have yet to officially choose a placement. Trying to be 'easy', I told Myka that I would teach whatever. To this he asked what I taught back home. After I told him 4th grade, but that I specialized in Math, we settled on me teaching Math and English. He then gave me the option to split my time between two teachers. Ultimately, after looking at all the various upper primary teachers, what they taught, and their grades, we decided on being undecided. Instead of sticking me with a teacher, Myka gave me the opportunity to observe several different classrooms on the first day of school. This way, I can see the different grade levels and teachers and find a teacher who wants me in their classroom. As much as an official placement would have been nice, my own indecisiveness got in the way...but I think it will all turn out for the best in the end.
     After our meeting with Myka, we returned back outside to play with our 2 new friends. There was now a 3rd boy with them, Lorenzo. All 3 boys then began to teach us how to make airplane propellers like theirs. They gathered supplies, and made some for us. During the process, the 'Special class' (special education) teacher at the school, Ms. Forchen, walked by looking very stressed and worried. After asking her if I could help her with anything, she informed me that she was having to switch classrooms and had tons of stuff to still pack up and move.
      Although I wanted to still play with the young boys, I followed her back to her current classroom to help her start packing up boxes. Some of the boys that attended the school were going back and forth between the classes, which were on opposite sides of the school grounds (of course), to help out. She had tons and tons of shelves of workbooks, papers, handouts, etc. We began the process of packing, as she began to tell me about her life, job and family.
     She had been a teacher for 32 years, and is still working due to her husband having AIDS and trying to pay for all of her children to finish their school. She is such a strong women, with an amazing work ethic, a huge heart, a passion to teach, and kindness in her eyes. It was great spending time packing, working, getting all dusty and looking through her school supplies.
     After about 45 minutes of packing, she had a huge tub-shaped container (about 6-7 ft long), full of books, papers, posters, boxes, etc. She had 4 of the boys begin to carry it through the door, and up the long, stair-filled sidewalks to her new classroom. Noticing that one of the boys helping could not be more that 7 yrs old, I asked if I could help. He quickly agreed and I took my position carrying the front of the 'tub' (aka walking backwards). After carrying it down the first long walkway, and then one of the boys needing a break, the kids looked at me like I was crazy. I shook my arms out, then grabbed the tub to move again. Riley, one of the boys, then said, "Miss Jessica...you are strong...like a man." To this I just laughed, as we continued to carry the tub. I then roped Janelle into the last home-stretch to the classroom, and we got the container in safely.
     We spent a few more minutes hanging with the boys before the taxi showed up. We said our farewells, then headed into downtown Windhoek for some lunch and shopping. I made my first gift purchases today, and am now realizing that I am going to have a hard time not keeping some of them for myself. However, it was great to just be in the city for a long time, and hang out more the this lovely group of ladies.
     Several hours later, Shane took us back to the hotel where we have been reading, swimming, and discussing our days with Jan and Paula. Katee got to go to the orphanage today for the first time. Although she did not meet with the woman in charge, she got to spend some time with her son and with some other local friends of Paula's. She will return their monday for another visit. We also are going to have a great opportunity to tutor some kids their in the afternoons. We will be put on a rotation schedule and will each tutor at the orphanage once or twice a week.
      In other fun news, Kari, Jill and Bri, who are at Moses Garoeb Primary School, got interviewed by Africa 1 News about their school and why they were at the school. Although the lack of cable at our home did not allow us to watch it, they are definitely the 'celebrities' of the group now.
The school grounds of AI Steenkamp

Mural on the wall of the school 

Jonas-Ben-Lorenzo

Janelle scaring Jonas :) HUGE SMILE!

Jonas, me and Lorenzo

Me and Baby Stephanie (1 month). SO PRECIOUS!

One of the Science room posters...just for you, Hassen!

My Namibia Family...my 8 sisters and 2 mamas
(Paula-Jessica-Veronica-Me-Katee-MJ-Janelle-Kari-Jill-Bri-Jan) 

      Tomorrow brings a possible hike. We are hoping to go someplace local and just be outside enjoying Namibia for a while. :)

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