Reflection from Micaela Wang - San Pablo Day 4

Today was a very adventurous day for the San Pablo crew!  Stepping out of my comfort zone, we met our San Pablo mentor teachers at Red Bank and waded across the river.  We decided to get the full experience of the teacher’s daily schedule this was a great way.  The water came up about mid-thigh so we wore t-shirts and track shorts then changed into our uniform once crossed.  We arrived a bit earlier than usual so I saw many of my students finishing their morning chores.  I helped one of my students carry the washed dishes from the river to his hut.  It was much cooler today with a high of 82 degrees. 

 

I was excited to work with my eighth-graders because it was the last day for me to prepare them for their test to enter High School.  We have been doing extreme Math Workshops all week in preparation.  Dr. Karp, Mr. Sho, and myself co-taught the reason of the Pythagorean Theorem.  We couldn’t stop finding the patterns between the numbers to find the Pythagorean Triplets (excuse my math language).  Once the students understood why it worked and memorized the triplets, I was happy to know that the students would fly through that problem on their test.  The experiences I have had here are too hard to put into words.  My students are taking their test on Monday so if you could, say a prayer for them because they are the most hardworking, deserving kids I know. 

Micaela Wang

Reflection from Pashia Wickliffe - Red Bank Day 4 at Red Bank

I began my fourth day of teaching more confident than I had been all week. During the past few days, I have had the rare opportunity to observe Dr. Karp and Dr. Brown teaching and working with young students. Seeing these two math experts teach has been great. I have been able to learn great strategies that I will be able to use while teaching mathematics to young children. Also, the support that has been given throughout the week from my professors and my peers has provided a boost in my confidence. It is great to know that so many people believe in my teaching abilities and want to see me succeed in my passion.

Today, my lesson that I taught involved place value. Both of my classes full of 8, 9, and 10 year olds excelled in using base ten materials to represent multiple numbers. These children value their education and love to learn. I look forward to going to Red Bank  every morning to see all of the children!

Pashia Wickliffe

Reflection from Abby Wittmer - Day 4 at San Pablo

So today marks our halfway point in our stay. In one week we will be headed back to the United States. It’s almost hard to believe, but the time flies by so fast. Today was a fun and exciting day for the crowd at San Pablo. As we all have learned, the teachers walk a mile from Red Bank to the river, then cross the river to go to school to teach. They do this every single day without fail, and this year, we decided to try this way as well. Dr. Pentecost drove us down the bumpy road and jungle to the river bank, and we all tried to cross the river together. Some of us were brave and some of us were slightly scared, but all of us managed to cross the river without any issues (it was only really just past our knees, but it can get almost past their shoulders in the rainy season). The kids were so excited to see us, and led us back up the banks to school. It made me remember and appreciate that we only have to get in a car, whereas these teachers have such dedication that they cross a river every day to see their students.

Luckily, today was much much cooler than the past few days. A cold front moved through overnight, and the high was 83° and cloudy instead of the 107° and sunny it was the other day. We played volleyball with the kids before school and they showed us around their homes. It was nice to be able to see them and it’s incredible how affectionate and comfortable they have grown with all of us. They grab our hands and call our names begging us to play with them. I can’t believe that they are the same kids that were hesitant to talk to us on the first day. We joke about taking them back to the US with us in our big bags. We all had a great day teaching again, and we’ve (or at least I’ve) really found our stride in teaching. The teachers love having us in their classrooms, and the kids plead with us to teach them. You can find the students sitting inside during their breaks playing math games or taking/looking at pictures on our phones. Like normal, my Standard V kids carried their desks over their heads to our hut to learn some Social Studies and Spanish. I am continually impressed about how much they think of and can apply to their own village. We started to talk about conservation and natural resources in the class, and it was so cool to watch them think.

It started to rain in the afternoon, but it was a cool rain and the kids were still out there playing volleyball all afternoon. Some of them stood under the corners of the roof where the water was pouring out. It became a lazy afternoon with playing as some of the classes wrapped up. I even got to try a “choco-banana” (frozen banana covered in chocolate), and play red rover in the rain. We left amongst hugs and lots of promises to return on Monday. Today was a great day, and we’re excited for the weekend ahead of us! I can’t believe we’ll be gone in a week, but we’re making the most of each day.

Abby Wittmer

Teaching Day 4 Photos - Red Bank

Reflections on Teaching Day 3 - Kiara Rollerson

I cannot believe it is already day 3 for teaching at Red Bank. I am working with infant II students that are 6 and 7 year olds in the second grade. I have learned so much from my students and I am beginning to form bonds with each of them. I love being called “Miss Miss” while I’m there and working with my class so far. Today, I introduced place value to my students and we had so much fun constructing our own numbers! I know we still have some work to do, but I am confident in my students. The children love to learn and are happy to have us in their school. During our breaks, I spend time playing outdoor games such as Ringa Ringa Rosa (Ring around the Rosie) and catcher (tag). I admire the students’ ability to stay so energized during these very hot days and including me in everything they do.

Today, I also had the opportunity to visit the village of San Pablo after lunch. It was a long bumpy road to get there, but the journey was well worth it. There, I met new students and went to see some of the homes in the village. San Pablo is a bit different from Red Bank as there are only 5 or 6 classrooms. It is much smaller, but the love from the students was very much the same.  I was able to help a group of students come up with a short play describing the languages of their village. Some of the students speak 3 or 4 languages! I also stepped out of my comfort zone and hiked to a river where I was able to see a beautiful waterfall.

I truly enjoyed my day today and I love Belize more and more as time passes. I look forward to teaching my students every morning and want to give them the best I have for the upcoming days. These children deserve it and I know I will take so much with me when I leave. With just 3 days in, I can say that I have learned so much and this is one of the best experiences of my life!

 

Kiara Rollerson

 

Reflection on Day 3 of Teaching - Danielle Young

We were very fortunate today with the weather! The clouds were out, and the temperature was much cooler. On our way to San Pablo, we stopped along the road to take pictures of the banana farm. We were amazed by the amount of trees, and the work that goes into picking the bananas. At San Pablo, the children’s smiling faces greeted us once again. We had a wonderful day teaching, playing games, painting the girls’ nails, and being outside. During lunch and recess, many of us visited the children’s homes or walked down to the river. It was an amazing feeling when the children opened their hearts to us and showed us their world. A few members of our group from Red Bank had the opportunity to visit San Pablo for the later part of the day. Together, we played outside with the children and took many pictures. After the school day, we traveled back to Independence. Many of us chose to go on a quick tour of the city with Dr. Pentecost. We stopped at local stores and drove by local companies.  We saw the port, the health clinic, the coast, and more friendly faces. We are very excited for another day of teaching tomorrow, and can’t wait to see what more this adventure has in store for us!

-Danielle Young

 

Wednesday Photos

Day Three of Teaching in San Pablo Village - Rachel Williams

Today was our third day in the Village of San Pablo. As our van drove up to the school, the children began crowding around the vehicle waiting for us to step out. It was one of the warmest welcomes any of us had ever received. Before our school day began we were able to hang out with the children. We took pictures, played volleyball, and enjoyed conversation with the teachers and students. At the sound of the first bell, the students scurried to their place in line outside of their classroom doors. They had a short general assembly meeting and then were dismissed to their classrooms. As I walked around taking pictures and supporting fellow teachers I heard laughter, deep math conversation, and singing. These sounds are sounds that will ring in my heart and mind for a long time. Their energy, excitement, and gratefulness has found its way into all of our hearts. We will be sad to leave, but will leave with knowledge and wisdom gained from the students and teachers.

Rachel Williams

Red Bank Teaching Day 2 Photos

San Pablo - Teaching Day 2 Photos