Teaching is hard. I spent the first three weeks in Honduras helping at a bilingual school for pre-k through 6th grade. Some of us taught, some assisted pre-k, and we all had a hand in organizing their library. I volunteered to help teach reading to 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Don’t ask why I would do such a thing when reading was my least favorite subject growing up.
The classrooms were in a cement building with tin roofing. Talk about an echo! As soon as one kid talks, everyone else would join in. My voice was drowned out in the mix. All of the kids were super sweet but they really liked to chitchat. I found out later that some if not most had no idea what I was saying. As the weeks went on I realized a few things. First, I talk way too fast for them to understand. Second, it’s really hard to comprehend what’s being said if you can’t read it in front of you. Third, hands on group projects are the best, it allows them to talk and move around.
At the school, other North American teachers come for the rest of the year. I have a huge respect for them taking a teaching job outside of the U.S. It’s not an easy job. If you teach, I praise you for your hard work and dedication to kids. It takes a special kind of person to teach well.
I have to say that it’s all worth it in the end when your students write thank you notes. On our last official day the other teachers gave the kids time to make cards. At lunch my teammates and I were sitting in the cafeteria and another teacher walks over with his hands full of cards! As we sat there and sorted through them the kids came running over to sit with us. They all had to go through my stack and point out the card that they made. They’re so creative.
As we left school that day I cried as the kids gave me hugs on the way to the bus. Even though there were days I felt they didn’t listen or care, the cards and hugs changed it all. I will always have a place in my heart for these kids!
