Day one at the school was a whirlwind! After waking up to a dark world, literally and figuratively because I am not a morning person, we ran late for the bus (seems to be a trend ha) and arrived at Everett just in the nick of time, a few minutes till 8 am. I was a little nervous to meet the teacher I was paired with, but all my fears dissipated when she happened to be in the office and greeted me with loudness and bear hugs!
I was whisked into 1st period, Room 217 (correction) and life with Ms. Olguin---a small, vivacious Mexican woman who just came back from maternity leave. She doesn’t know a lot of the students’ names because she’s been gone and so that makes me feel a little better. I think we are going to get along quite well. I have 5 periods of 7th grade Language Arts, a prep period, and a CPT (Common Planning Time) meeting. The CPT meeting was fascinating and I got to see collaboration between the literacy coach, librarians and department teachers; the next unit they are doing will be centered around the oppression of women through media and its affects on body image/self-esteem. A.k.a right up my alley and SUPER interesting---I’m so excited to be a part of it!
I love the diversity of the students: Mexicans, Salvadorians, Filipinos, Eritreans and the list goes on and on. It’s so invigorating to me and a lot different than the diversity of downtown Spokane. I got to organize the “Student Surveys” which each student filled out and they said what languages they spoke, who they lived with and other details about themselves that I wouldn’t’ normally be privy to. Mesmerizing stuff.
Being at the school also makes me wish that mi Espanol was mejor, considering most of the students and teachers speak the language to each other! Another interesting fact about Everett is that over half the staff was recently fired, and so most of the staff is very young, some are even my age! Makes for lots of energy and a passion for new ideas. It’s going to be a great month, filled with lots of learning and growth….and exhaustion!
Most Interesting Cultural Moment
A young African American student started ranting about how black students never live with their parents, and then he asked me: if my parents were alive, if I had a dad and if I actually lived with them too---to all of which I answered yes. And he said, “that’s because you’re not black!”. He didn’t live with his parents and neither did any of the other black students around him. It really hit me hard that this is what these kids have to go through L
Highlights of the day:
1) ~Being needed and used right away in the classroom: helping students, making worksheets, overseeing library visits, running errands etc.
2) ~Holding my teacher’s 6 month old baby Gian Carlo who is going to be an absolute heartbreaker one day
3) ~Having my students remember my name and even acknowledge me outside the classroom and say goodbye!
4) ~Sitting in the beautiful, gardened “teacher’s courtyard” in the HOT sun for lunch
5) ~Seeing differences in schools settings: security guards, doors are always locked, most materials are in Spanish and English
Siri! You're doing it!! So excited to hear about all the eye-opening things, even just on the first day. I'm sure you're a huge blessing to your mentor teacher, as well as to the students.
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