First things first, teaching is hard. I suppose this is the main reason for my lack of blogging. Up early to go to school, come home only to do more lesson planning, test creating, or searching for something interesting to do in class. My students are awesome. 5th grade is SUCH a fun age. I now have 9 boys and 3 girls. I had a new girl begin about 2 weeks ago, which has caused some interesting ripples, but we're doing just fine. As with any group of kids (rather, people in general), I have my complainers and whiners, "thespians" (aka drama queens and kings), liars or tattlers. I feel like a referee for about 30% of my day, but I try not to get too sucked in. Classroom management is a killer. Sometimes I feel a bit harsh, but I think my students are finally understanding that the reason I discipline is because I care so much about them. I want them to learn so much, but a few of them just haven't found their academic motivation. Most of my students LOVE to be heard and yearn for attention, which can make the whole teaching/learning thing more difficult. Others are a bit more reserved, but have been coming a bit more out of their shells lately. I love 'em.
Ms. Lindsey with a few of her boys.
Time has been flying by. Hard to believe I've been living here for 2 1/2 months. Parts of it are wonderful, but I'm surprised at how much I've missed home. Video chats help to see some of my loved ones, but it's also the conveniences that I miss, the familiarity of home, Fall. On previous trips to Central America... lasting anywhere from 8 to 20 days, I've come home hesitantly and a little angry with the United States. Living in a world of excess and instant gratification and individualism made me upset. Now, I ache for access and moving a bit more quickly and productivity. I'm surprised at myself.
I'm thankful too. Thankful for the education that I received, and family that supported me in working hard and getting good grades. Education isn't on the top of the priority heap here. Things like family and community and celebration are. I want that happy medium of both for my life. Some have definitely found it, but it requires being very intentional - I think.
The good news is, there have been fewer personal bumps in the road since my last post. Unfortunately, our school has hit some bumps in the road though. About 2 weeks ago, they had to make some tough decisions about which teachers they had to fire in order to make ends meet. Our student numbers aren't as high as they need to be in order to pay everyone, and then some families haven't been able to pay tuition since they registered their students at the beginning of the year. They aren't sure how they'll make it work at this point, but we're now down 4 staff. 3 teachers and a cleaning lady. These people were apart of our family here, and now they are gone. Pray for our school and pray for those who lost their job. For provision and for those perfectly timed doors to open... soon.
Weather-wise, it's rainy. There are two seasons here, rainy and not. It's pouring now, as I write this, and it isn't going to let up until Monday. Then it's going to start up again on Tuesday. Joy. Don't get me wrong, I love some rain, especially at night. I just don't want it to interrupt my beach excursions or make it hard to hitchhike. Unfortunately, I see a few taxis in my future.
Oh and here's my 25 year old self. Posing with my incredibly delicious birthday strawberry angelfoodcake.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him."
-Romans 12 (the message)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Roatan, Honduras
So glad to hear that you're settling in well. Thinking about you!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear more about your teaching experience and island adventure!
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