Helping at the School

   Ever since we arrived back here from our visit back home, I have been actively looking for somewhere to volunteer. While having a conversation with the harbour masters Helper/ Brother-in –law, he told us his sister was a high school English teacher. She just happened to be visiting so we went over and introduced ourselves. We were invited to sit in on her class.

    Two days later, Katie aboard s/v Mezzaluna, who happens to be a 5^th grade teacher, and I attended school. Soon after arriving we were taken to the principals’ office. We both laughed, not even one day, and we are already sent to the office. It was only to be introduced to the staff

                                        Notice the barb-wire on the fence, brings 
                                          a whole new meaning to....."Stay in School" 

    The class consisted of about 30 students who are in grade 12. We were very impressed with how well they are doing, considering that they haven’t any textbooks. All lessons are from teachers lectures.

    The next class we sat in on was a grade 10 who were studying about seasons around the world. We talked to them about winters in the north, and about all the clothes we must wear to fend off the cold. We brought photo’s showing outdoor activities such as skating, hiking, and skiing. The kids were quite interested.

   The teacher asked us if we could help her design a modern English classroom, much like we have in our own countries. Katie, who is from Wisconsin, and myself who was schooled in downtown Toronto, are up to the challenge. 

    We also told her that when we went to school, it was the students who rotated between classrooms not the teacher, which they do here. This way it gives the students some exercise, clears their heads, or a quick visit to the washroom. The teacher thought this was a great idea, she could keep her material in her own desk, and be more prepared to teach the lesson. She suggested it to the principal, who is willing to give it a try for the language classes. They are too short staffed to implement it school wide just yet, but are working on it.

I’m enjoying the time I spend with the students.

 

NOTE*  Our little friend Pelina, who we previously wrote about, has been attending school regularly, and enjoys it very much. We drove through her small town the other day. When we recognised her, we gave her and her friends a lift to school in our rental car.