July 22nd - Much like yesterday, I was awake
before sunrise. I suppose I should get used to this if I am going to be a certified teacher. I got dressed and put on my game face! I was ready to take on
the new challenge that today was going to offer. We boarded the Boogey Bus and
headed to Montevideo Primary School where the second day of class was getting
ready to kick start. We arrived at the school and were once again greeted by
Principal Timmit. That man certainly knows how to get you excited for the day!
I walked outside to the courtyard where I was welcomed by
the other seventh grade teachers. Standing in front of them were 150 seventh
grade learners in single file lines according to gender and which class they
were in: 7A, 7B, or 7C. As they prepared to head to class, I was able to chat
with the teachers for a few minutes where they seemed interested in the weather
back in the United States once again. They found it amusing that the cold,
winter weather they were experiencing was like my spring weather in the United
States. Quickly following our conversation, the students began a group prayer
that was led by one of the teachers. They then headed to their classrooms where
I was once again reunited with Mr. Edgross.
Mr. Edgross had a reading passage selected for today’s
class. He had a few different students read the excerpt and then discussed
different parts with the class. Mr. Edgross then turned to me and asked if I
would like to present a passage next week. I gladly replied with an excited
yes. He then informed the students that I would be reading a passage to them
but that they should be very mindful of my accent. I was rather entertained by
this comment considering I don’t believe I have an accent but to the learners I
do have one. The feeling is mutual.
After Mr. Edgross’s class, I joined Ms. Wilcocks for her
class. She was the Math and Life Orientation instructor for the seventh grade.
She sat me at the back of the class and began her lecture with calculating
selling price after a discount had been applied to the cost price. Although the
problem was using Rand, the South African currency, I was pleased to inform
that learners were taught the same problem solving skills that students in the
United States were taught. After working a few problems, Ms. Wilcocks then
jumped into a lesson in geometry where the students were reviewing the measurement
of angles and calculating the different parts of a circle. To my surprise, each
student had a compass and protractor that they were able to use to find the
calculations. Due to a lack of funding in different areas of the school, I
didn’t think the students would have those resources!
The first interval began and there was a call for all
teachers to report to the teacher’s lounge. As we arrived in the teacher’s
lounge, there were a few learners there and Principal Timmit was also present.
He addressed the room full of educators and informed us that today marked the
26th Anniversary of the opening of Montevideo Primary School. I was
so honored to be a part of the ceremony. A couple of learners gave a
speech/blessing and another sang in front of the room. It quickly concluded,
however, and then I headed to Mrs. Jacob’s class. She was the seventh grade
Natural Science teacher. I sat in on her lecture which was set up much like
those in the United States. I didn’t notice much difference except for the fact
that she was the only teacher that used a transparency film projector.
Afterwards, I joined Mrs. Fischer in her classroom yet again. Today, she seemed
more authoritative and less patient. She began yelling at the learners for
their talking and rushed them to their seats. Before she began lecture in
Afrikaans, she asked for names. I remember her doing this yesterday but I was
unsure of what was going on. She would have a few learners write the names of
other learners who were being disruptive. She would then call on those learners
and ask them to leave the classroom for a brief amount of time. It was her form
of punishment. Today was different. She called on those learners and asked them
to come to her at her desk. They would stick out their hands, she would take
the wooden eraser, and then she would bang the eraser against their knuckles. I
could see the pain go across the learner’s face but I just sat back and
observed. One of the many things I have to learn as an educator is that there
are different forms of punishment, some of which are acceptable in different
parts of the world.
The tornado alarm, as I refer to it, sounded again to begin
the second interval. I rejoined my companions for a brief lunch and then headed
back to Mrs. Fischer’s class. It was the same class that was in there before
which I was slightly confused about. Regardless, it was a pretty laid back. The
students talked, I graded some papers, and then there was a Q&A session.
Many of the students had several questions to ask me and I was so happy to
answer them all. I felt like was an important part of their day and they seemed
to really enjoy my presence.
As the day concluded, a learner came up to me and presented
me with a portrait that she drew of me. I was so honored that the learner was
so welcoming of me and that she took the time to draw a picture of me.
Surprisingly, she is a very good artist. The final alarm rang and the learners
left for the day. As each one passed, they told me “goodbye” or “see you
tomorrow!” It was such a wonderful day and I am so looking forward to what
tomorrow has in store for me!
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