An UN BELIZE ABLE Finish!

Now that our time here in Belize is winding down, I thought I would finish up my blogging with a few final thoughts.

I first want to talk about this last week here on the island. I have really been focusing on finishing up some school work and concluding all of our professional experiences in my philosophy statement and teacher identity papers. On Wednesday I got the opportunity to substitute teach at Isla Bonita Primary school, which was so much fun. I taught a Standard 5 class—7th grade—and it made me really consider teaching at a younger level. I had to teach all the subjects for the day including math, science, reading/writing, social studies, and Spanish (ha you are safe to assume that we didn’t have Spanish that day!) I felt very in control and the students were so polite and respectful! They were quite different from the students at the high school! A change of scenery was also very nice! Other than this my week has been pretty standard. We are playing a few cooperative games in physical education and the students are really enjoying them!

Last night was our groups’ final dinner together and we are having a pizza party at Pedro’s—YUM! I needed to start packing because Jeanne and I have to catch the 7am boat out of here on Saturday morning….it is going to be one heck of a long day traveling! Our flight doesn’t land in Wilmington on Saturday night until 11 pm! GGRRRREEEAATT! No packing occurred though 

(I cannot WAIT to see Nat’s face when I exit the airport! There’s nothing like a classic reunion between best friends!)

And finally…I want to conclude this blog with a few words about my teaching experience here in Belize. I have expanded my knowledge on 3 crucial parts of teaching since I have been here…diversity, flexibility, and creativity. I definitely had touched on these three qualities while teaching in the States, but here in Belize it was a totally different level of each quality. I for once was the diversity. Flexibility was the most crucial part of the trip. And as for creativity…it wasn’t taken from the classroom like it is in the States…it is absolutely a necessity to teach in Belize. I know those are short and to the point statements but there is really no easier way to put how I grew as a teacher through these qualities. Teaching here in Belize was of course WAY different from the States, and I feel that through my blogs you all can see that. The culture and environment are no were near similar to the culture and environment that we are accustomed to—and don’t get me wrong, that was my favorite part! I think that having both internships really aided me in my knowledge as a teacher: classroom management, disciplinary actions, picking and choosing my battles, sharing knowledge with other teachers, and ESL teaching just to name a few of the areas I feel I have grown in. Yes my experience in the States was organized, put together, formal, and professional; but my experience here in Belize was the complete opposite and I couldn’t be happier to have experienced both worlds of teaching!

I have learned so much from the teachers and students here in Belize and I can only hope they learned something from me! Today’s final assembly was sad but I know that I will see all these people again! We have built life long friendships with the faculty and students here and I just know that I will be back to this island someday for a visit! They gave us very nice gifts with a ton of thought and love put into them! I couldn’t have been more blessed to come on this journey and I am very sad that today I have to close this chapter of my life and head back to the real world…

Viva la isla bonita!!!! Cheers!!!!

Legendary-Pageants-and Shark/Rays

I'll just go day by day...

Friday was a little bit different than most days for me because I had to go around with both the supervisors to all the schools on the island and promote the "Storytelling Contest" that the public library is putting on at the end of May. And of course the temperature was like 120 degrees and we were all three drenched from head to toe in sticky sweat! YUCK! But what an experience getting to see all the schools...it is amazing how much character each one has...from the religious schools supported by churches in the States, to the public schools that can't even get full support from the government! I couldn't believe my eyes half the time! Dr. K, Susan and I had great conversations that really got the wheels spinning in my head! I consider myself lucky that I got the chance to do this! Then after we talked to all the schools I went to Ambergris Caye Elementary where we have a few teachers, and taught a lesson on heart health to 4-5 year olds! This made me miss my College Park kids! Friday afternoon we had a staff vs staff futbol (soccer) match. And yes it was still like 120 degrees, but it was super fun and super exhausting! A few students even came to watch. Of course my team won :) just barely though! (They had to put me in goal towards the end so all the really good male teachers could work together to score haha). Friday night we went to our favorite place, Legends, to eat burgers and have a "legendary" night duhhhh!

Saturday morning Keri and I got up early and came up to the high school to see if Ms. Usher needed any help setting up for the pageant which was later on that night. When we got back to our rooms around 10 we both passed out until like noon! Saturday turned out to be a lazy day. We lounged around the pool, I caught up on emails, and we painted out tanks for our dance that night. Now the pageant was scheduled to start at 7pm, so of course being Americans we show up at 6pm ready to go...you know early is "on time" right? Well we all got a new lesson on the term "Belizian Time". To give you an example...at 830, TWO of the girls that were in the pageant were still not there...uh huh...feel our pain? So needless to say the pageant went until like 1230...but our dance was AWESOME! Everyone was dying laughing! I have the whole video and I will try and put it on here...we'll see how that goes.

Sunday we spent the day on a catamaran...p.s. I WANT ONE OF THESE THINGS! We stopped at two different snorkeling locations...1st Hol Chan--it was really cool and there was a lot to see! 2nd--get ready for this--Shark Ray Alley. Yup I snorkeled with sharks and sting rays...cross that off the bucket list as well! I was so proud of myself! When I first jumped in the water I think I hyperventilated---and poor Viktor...I was latched on to him like a leach out of fear! But after my heart settled back to its normal beat I was able to do some snorkeling! Totally worth it! Last night we were so tired that everyone passed out super early! And now....

...its Monday morning...last week of school! I have a lot I want to get done this week, so I better get started!

5 more daysss.....