I've filled a lot of different roles since coming on the race: evangelist, preacher, singer, cleaner, translator, leader, follower, listener, prayer warrior, teammate, friend and many more. Some of these were roles I've filled a thousand times before and some of them were brand new for me. This week I was asked to fill yet another- I was asked to be a teacher.
I had no idea what kind of teacher I would be going into it and coming out of it I am even more confused. I can't really sum up my experience in one paragraph or even sum up my emotions about it so I am going to compile a list of highs and lows for you.
LOWS…
-Being thrown into a classroom of first graders who didn't speak English with only the instructions “fellowship with the children”
-Being asked to teach math. After I had exhausted EVERY option I could think of, I asked the teacher for help and her suggestion was “You could tell them a number and ask them what numbers come before and after?”
-Observing a math teacher trying to explain subtraction and realizing that she had no idea how to subtract herself.
-Having numerous teachers halt their lessons for me to teach, only for them to find that I was completely unprepared and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
-Attempting to play Simon Says with a class of tenth graders and being told I was too boring.
-Asking a group of students if they had any questions about Jesus and getting the response “The other girls answered our questions yesterday, now you will dance for us.”
-Having a 10th grade girl teach me a Nepalese dance and turning around to see half the class recording it on their cell phones.
HIGHS…
+Teaching a classroom of 7th graders “Undignified” by David Crowder and getting to explain to them the joy of Christ. I wish I could put into words the way Jesus filled the room but it was completely indescribable. The students, along with Carly and I, were jumping and screaming and clapping and praising God- they asked us to re-sing it 3 times.
+Teaching 2nd and 3rd graders the English word for pretty much EVERY part of the body. Although I still don't think I was able to convinces them to stop pronouncing knees as “keys” and thighs as “ties”.
+Seeing crowds of children hanging out windows screaming “Kelsey! Where are you going?!”
+Talking to the teaching staff about Jesus and inviting them to church.
+Hearing a tenth grade boy ask Carly to draw a picture of Jesus and having her respond with “Uhhhmmm… I could draw an elephant?”
+Watching Carly attempt to draw Jesus.
+Writing sentences for 1st graders to copy from a workbook and adding “Jesus loves me” to the list.
+Teaching kindergarteners the names of fruits and vegetables and seeing “lady fingers” on the list. I'm not even sure what lady fingers are…
+Being asked to sing the national anthem- numerous times.
+Singing the presidents songs with Carly.
+Having a 10th grade girl teach me a Nepalese dance and turning around to see half the class recording it on their cell phones.
