Hello-
So it's a Sunday afternoon, and I'm sitting in the living room with my two roommates! That's right-- it's officially all three of us-- Crystal arrived this Wednesday. I can remember last winter when we were all collaborating and talking about the possibility of coming here to Brazil. 6 months later, here we are! It still hits me sometimes with how surreal it is!
On Friday I had my first day of teaching all day without the cooperating teacher there. Erin was doing literacy testing all day. It was... good, but exhausting. I'm still trying to figure out the whole classroom management situation.
This will be a short blog, because I'm headed out to a Japanese festival with some friends. there is a large population of Japanese in Brazil. It should be fun!
I'm doing well, but still trying to find a balance in it all-- learning that I don't need to be perfect, finding out what I need to be mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy, and discovering what I need to do to meet those needs. It's a challenge everyday, but it's met with victories and learning opportunities.
More soon!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
One month
I have officially been here for one month. Wow-- it's crazy-- and I'm not sure if it feels like it's flown by or that I've been here for a long time--- I suppose it's a little bit of both.
I'm sorry that I haven't written in awhile. I will catch you up.
I am starting to teach in the classroom bit by bit. I have two guided reading groups (small groups that meet each day for 20 minutes), and I am teaching social studies-- which I will use as my big unit plan that I turn in to the university. I am doing the unit on communities.
The students are absolutely adorable, and a handful! The stories they tell, the things they do when they think no one is looking, and the little hugs I get make me love this job! I feel as though this is the right career for me because it is so easy to come to school and throw my heart into what I'm doing there! Which, needless to say, means I am EXHAUSTED by the time school is done. A highlight of my week was being in bed by 9 one night! It is very easy to let school consume your life. Several teachers have given me the wise advice to do your best and commit to excellence, but to set boundaries and have a balanced life, so as to keep your sanity! I think this is a good thing to keep in mind, because this is a job that is never done-- there's always something else to get done.
I got to go to church with Erin, my cooperating teacher last week, and it was so refreshing to go-- I hadn't been able to go for several weeks. The corporate worship was very refreshing. While it was very nice to go to an English speaking church, I wasn't sure if it was a church that I would necessarily go to if there were other options. I am currently praying about what I should do about that.
I think above all, my heart is longing for fellowship. While I feel that I'm adjusting well, there is such a shock of newness to everything: new country, new language, new career, new schedule, new group of friends, new climate, new lifestyle, new things to do on the weekends, new choices that need to be made-- new EVERYTHING! On the one hand, I feel like everything is going so smoothly-- there's just a "rightness" about being here right now. And yet, there is also a degree of chaos- inside of me. I feel just a little bit out of whack from the transitions.
As the first month has past, and I'm settling into a routine, I want to be able to find a sense of balance. Here's what I'm working on and learning:
-I need to take time to re center-- time for solitude, rest, and not having to "be on" on a regular basis
-Being fully present in the moment (and not being anxious about what the next season will hold)
-Letting God be in control of situations, my future, relationships etc.
-Being unapologetic about who I am and what I need
-Failing with grace- learning from my mistakes and claiming the victories as they come
-Seeking His face each day with joy and grace
I'm sorry that I haven't written in awhile. I will catch you up.
I am starting to teach in the classroom bit by bit. I have two guided reading groups (small groups that meet each day for 20 minutes), and I am teaching social studies-- which I will use as my big unit plan that I turn in to the university. I am doing the unit on communities.
The students are absolutely adorable, and a handful! The stories they tell, the things they do when they think no one is looking, and the little hugs I get make me love this job! I feel as though this is the right career for me because it is so easy to come to school and throw my heart into what I'm doing there! Which, needless to say, means I am EXHAUSTED by the time school is done. A highlight of my week was being in bed by 9 one night! It is very easy to let school consume your life. Several teachers have given me the wise advice to do your best and commit to excellence, but to set boundaries and have a balanced life, so as to keep your sanity! I think this is a good thing to keep in mind, because this is a job that is never done-- there's always something else to get done.
I got to go to church with Erin, my cooperating teacher last week, and it was so refreshing to go-- I hadn't been able to go for several weeks. The corporate worship was very refreshing. While it was very nice to go to an English speaking church, I wasn't sure if it was a church that I would necessarily go to if there were other options. I am currently praying about what I should do about that.
I think above all, my heart is longing for fellowship. While I feel that I'm adjusting well, there is such a shock of newness to everything: new country, new language, new career, new schedule, new group of friends, new climate, new lifestyle, new things to do on the weekends, new choices that need to be made-- new EVERYTHING! On the one hand, I feel like everything is going so smoothly-- there's just a "rightness" about being here right now. And yet, there is also a degree of chaos- inside of me. I feel just a little bit out of whack from the transitions.
As the first month has past, and I'm settling into a routine, I want to be able to find a sense of balance. Here's what I'm working on and learning:
-I need to take time to re center-- time for solitude, rest, and not having to "be on" on a regular basis
-Being fully present in the moment (and not being anxious about what the next season will hold)
-Letting God be in control of situations, my future, relationships etc.
-Being unapologetic about who I am and what I need
-Failing with grace- learning from my mistakes and claiming the victories as they come
-Seeking His face each day with joy and grace
Saturday, August 14, 2010
One Week down!
I have officially completed my first week of school. It was intense! I don't know if you've ever been in a first grade classroom during the first week of school, but it is a high maintainence bunch of six year olds!
I quickly fell in love with the kids-- they are so adorable! A majority of them are from Brazil, three do not speak English, while the others have varying degrees. We also have a couple of American students, as well as a Sweedish and German students. I love, love, love having little hands on my arm asking "Miss Allie, Miss Allie, can you help me spell this word?" They are really sweet!
But, they are also really tiring! When they come into first grade, they are not really used to a full day of structured learning, so by the time the afternoon rolls around, they are much more squirrley! I get a bit flustered when they are out of control, but Erin seems to stay pretty calm (maybe that comes with years of experience!)
I have definitely been sleeping well at night. I'm very glad that Friday came-- I need a weekend of rest and recooperation!
I quickly fell in love with the kids-- they are so adorable! A majority of them are from Brazil, three do not speak English, while the others have varying degrees. We also have a couple of American students, as well as a Sweedish and German students. I love, love, love having little hands on my arm asking "Miss Allie, Miss Allie, can you help me spell this word?" They are really sweet!
But, they are also really tiring! When they come into first grade, they are not really used to a full day of structured learning, so by the time the afternoon rolls around, they are much more squirrley! I get a bit flustered when they are out of control, but Erin seems to stay pretty calm (maybe that comes with years of experience!)
I have definitely been sleeping well at night. I'm very glad that Friday came-- I need a weekend of rest and recooperation!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Weekend
It's been a very relaxing weekend here in Brasila!
Friday night: Sabrina, a very sweet Portuguese teacher from school, invited Natalia, Jana, and I to go to the Brazilian cinema. So we went to Salt (it was in English, with Portuguese subtitles). Sabrina taught us how to ask for a ticket in Portuguese, but when I got up to the counter, I got flustered and I think I sputtered in broken Portuguese "I want Salt"... but they understood. (Most people have this smirk on their face, when I say "Nao fallo Portugues" and laugh as they get me what I'm attempting to ask for)
Saturday: Dival, the human resources guy at EAB had a huge party at his house. He lives in a very nice neighborhood and has this beautiful house. Once again, I was astounded at the amount and scale of hospitality that we were showed. Imagine a beautiful, cloudless day, a georgeous patio, with tables set up with food and drinks, a full staff of chefs grilling meat and other appetizers, a DJ playing all sorts of music, and about 50 Brazilians laughing and enjoying life. It was surreal, amazing, relaxing, and well... Brazil! I left around 4:30 and enjoyed a quiet evening at home.
Sunday: I woke up and had a "date with God" (I haven't been able to find anyone to go to church with yet, and it's too far to walk, so I had some time alone with God by myself. I went to this cute little shop called Confectaria Francesa. I sipped on a Cafe con Leiche (comparable to a cappuccino-- very strong) and listened to some live saxophone music while I read and journaled. I had some time just to pray and listen and read the word. It was very refreshing. Tonight, we are going to a musical put on by a local high school-- called "Bom Dia Boltimore" It is Hairspray, but in Portuguese! I'm very excited, because hopefully I will be able to follow along because I've seen the Broadway version when it came to UNI a couple of years ago.
I'm excited for the first day of school tomorrow! I had an opportunity to meet some of my students at the Open house they had at school on Friday, and they are very adorable. I think that it will be great to get the school year started!!!
Friday night: Sabrina, a very sweet Portuguese teacher from school, invited Natalia, Jana, and I to go to the Brazilian cinema. So we went to Salt (it was in English, with Portuguese subtitles). Sabrina taught us how to ask for a ticket in Portuguese, but when I got up to the counter, I got flustered and I think I sputtered in broken Portuguese "I want Salt"... but they understood. (Most people have this smirk on their face, when I say "Nao fallo Portugues" and laugh as they get me what I'm attempting to ask for)
Saturday: Dival, the human resources guy at EAB had a huge party at his house. He lives in a very nice neighborhood and has this beautiful house. Once again, I was astounded at the amount and scale of hospitality that we were showed. Imagine a beautiful, cloudless day, a georgeous patio, with tables set up with food and drinks, a full staff of chefs grilling meat and other appetizers, a DJ playing all sorts of music, and about 50 Brazilians laughing and enjoying life. It was surreal, amazing, relaxing, and well... Brazil! I left around 4:30 and enjoyed a quiet evening at home.
Sunday: I woke up and had a "date with God" (I haven't been able to find anyone to go to church with yet, and it's too far to walk, so I had some time alone with God by myself. I went to this cute little shop called Confectaria Francesa. I sipped on a Cafe con Leiche (comparable to a cappuccino-- very strong) and listened to some live saxophone music while I read and journaled. I had some time just to pray and listen and read the word. It was very refreshing. Tonight, we are going to a musical put on by a local high school-- called "Bom Dia Boltimore" It is Hairspray, but in Portuguese! I'm very excited, because hopefully I will be able to follow along because I've seen the Broadway version when it came to UNI a couple of years ago.
I'm excited for the first day of school tomorrow! I had an opportunity to meet some of my students at the Open house they had at school on Friday, and they are very adorable. I think that it will be great to get the school year started!!!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
And so it begins...
Hello!
This week has been a whirlwind-- of new faces, teaching lingo, bulletin boards, and staff development. AKA- it's teacher training time. It's so great to be experiencing the beginning of the school year, as so much happens at this time for schools. As student teachers, we are welcomed and treated as if we were new teachers.
I met my cooperating teachers:
Erin Hayes: She will be my first cooperating teacher. She is enthusiastic, always smiling, and everybody's friend, from teachers to parents to students to maintainence. She has a big heart and I think I'm really going to like working with her.
Kristy Ngyuen: She teaches second grade. She is a very graceful, soft-spoken, beautiful teacher. Originally from Korea, she has lived in several places around the world and loves to travel. She took me out to dinner on Sunday night and I got to know her a bit. I think she has quite a different teaching style to Erin, so it will be good to get two different looks at ways to run a classroom.
I've been able to put my creativity to use this week by putting up bulletin boards. I'm quite proud of the display on our front door. It says "Soaring to new heights in first grade" and it has each child's name on a hot air balloon. Cute.
Tomorrow, all the parents and students will come in the afternoon for an open house. This is exciting, because I'm ready for the school year to start and I'm really excited to meet the students. I'm also a bit nervous, because of all the parents (many of them are wealthy, influencial diplomats, or staff members of the school!) I'm sure it will be fine.
My time here has been so rich with opportunities to grow personally. There is so much new! Every aspect of my life is so completely different than it was two weeks ago. Right now, I'm still trying to find my balance (and not trip on the broken sidewalks on my way to school!) It's good. It's crazy. It's exactly where I need to be right now.
This week has been a whirlwind-- of new faces, teaching lingo, bulletin boards, and staff development. AKA- it's teacher training time. It's so great to be experiencing the beginning of the school year, as so much happens at this time for schools. As student teachers, we are welcomed and treated as if we were new teachers.
I met my cooperating teachers:
Erin Hayes: She will be my first cooperating teacher. She is enthusiastic, always smiling, and everybody's friend, from teachers to parents to students to maintainence. She has a big heart and I think I'm really going to like working with her.
Kristy Ngyuen: She teaches second grade. She is a very graceful, soft-spoken, beautiful teacher. Originally from Korea, she has lived in several places around the world and loves to travel. She took me out to dinner on Sunday night and I got to know her a bit. I think she has quite a different teaching style to Erin, so it will be good to get two different looks at ways to run a classroom.
I've been able to put my creativity to use this week by putting up bulletin boards. I'm quite proud of the display on our front door. It says "Soaring to new heights in first grade" and it has each child's name on a hot air balloon. Cute.
Tomorrow, all the parents and students will come in the afternoon for an open house. This is exciting, because I'm ready for the school year to start and I'm really excited to meet the students. I'm also a bit nervous, because of all the parents (many of them are wealthy, influencial diplomats, or staff members of the school!) I'm sure it will be fine.
My time here has been so rich with opportunities to grow personally. There is so much new! Every aspect of my life is so completely different than it was two weeks ago. Right now, I'm still trying to find my balance (and not trip on the broken sidewalks on my way to school!) It's good. It's crazy. It's exactly where I need to be right now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)