Work...Sleep...Repeat

So its been about a month in Chile so far. Wow has it gone fast. Dont think Ive been this scattered since student teaching. Let me explain more of what Im doing. Right now I work in 2 elementary schools in different parts of town. Different parts of town also meaning one is known for it´s "excellence," while the other is trying to keep kids from strangling one another or at least awake long enough to learn something. Well, that´s a big exageration, but with some truth to it. :) The first one, the one with an excellent rating, is the school named Ignacio Carrera Pinto (or Escuela 5 as its commonly referred to). This school is in the center of town and is considered the best PUBLIC elementary schools in town. Each class has up to 45 students, so classes can be quite unmanageable at times. The other school is in a part of town that when most people hear its name, they cringe a bit (Vista Allegre). People look at me with surprise sometimes when I say that is where I am working. Now it´s not like kids are carrying weapons to the school or anything, it is just in a tough neighborhood where kids lose their childhood at a young age. It´s a poor neighborhood, where families are divided and/or dysfunctional, and students´ are mostly trying to just get by day by day. Most kids are provided lunch and snacks at school, and I don´t know this for sure, but many probably do not have enough to eat at home. There are many students with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as learning difficulties. I have had students punch each other in class, run out, tell me no and sit there doing nothing. I have students who cannot focus for 2 seconds while others wait for everyone to listen so they may learn something. My first two classes (i have each class once a week) at this school were so maddening. I did not know who had learning or behavioral issues, many times I was alone since the assistant was not there as well. I realized students sometimes did not understand my Spanish and that is why chaos started. But amidst everything, I see kids who are craving attention, love, respect, and someone to tell them ¨good job!¨ I discovered a girl in one of my 3rd grade classes cannot read and therefore cannot write. She relies on her friend to help her with everything. This is only one of the sad stories I could tell about these kids. They have tried my nerves, making me almost want to quit, but I keep going back to try to reach out to each one.

I was sick last week after going non-stop since I arrived, so the doctor released me from work for the week. I recovered in a few days, and then I had time to sleep, plan for classes, and try to get organized.

I have learned to ask for help, say when I´m reaching my limit, and allow myself to be ok with not being ¨perfect.¨ Things do not always go as planned, and with teaching, especially here, I´m learning I need to be prepared for anything and have a back up plan. I have good classes, frustrating classes, and at times I would rather be anywhere else. I just have to remember I can contribute here. I have so much energy to give to these kids.

I want to share a short story about a boy that almost made me go crazy in one class but I somehow (hopefully) got through to him today. In the last class I had with him, I realized he has aggression issues (after he punched someone) is quite defiant (oh you wouldn´t believe) and I was not sure his level of learning. I barely got him to pay attention and constantly was telling him to sit down, or put something away, or not hit so and so. Anyway, I talked with various persons at the school and they all told me that he is a problem, but they didn´t give me much advice (really nothing) . I finally went to observe the head teacher and get some ideas for discipline and order with her class. She was happy that I took initiative to do so, and realized I really was there to help. While watching the class, Felipe (mister wonderful), was being his disruptful self. She was always yelling at him (which is normal for teachers here. I´m even having to yell in class) and he was never hearing anything positive. Finally, I noticed that he has great handwriting and commented on this. He turned to me with a look of surprise and a smile. I had caught him, now I just had to reel him in!
Today in class, the students behaved so much better as the teacher, principal, and various others had spoken with them. Felipe was front and center, and I was determined to have him involved. He participated, wanted to talk as much as he could, answered questions correctly, and put in his best effort at completing his work. He tried so hard! After everything he did well, I made sure he heard positive remarks. After class, he gave me a hug. I wanted to cry I was so happy!

I found out after class his aggression is from physical abuse at home. He will remain there, which breaks my heart, but I hope he seems some glimmer of hope outside of his home.

Terremoto (earthquake) and the terror of starting over (just kidding)

So I survived the earthquake. It was not a huge deal for me at the time, probably since I was so sleep deprived to truly realize the catastrophe of the situation at that point. Apparently it was one of the strongest earthquakes reported worldwide, but thankfully did not cause as much damage as in other places. The Epicenter was 3 hours south, so Santiago was hit hard. I was in Santiago, staying with my friend Laura, in a part of Santiago called Las Condes. This is one of the nicer areas in Santiago, meaning the Chileans with money live here, so much of the architechure is built to code and built to withstand earthquakes. At the time it happened, we were actually in a disco dancing, so it took a minute to realize the floor was actually moving. Laura and I were quickly pulled by the two guys we went with to a stronger structural part of the building. Walking straight was impossible, we were just trying to keep our balance. We waited for it to pass, and then ran out with everyone else. It was a mad rush, with people trying to find cars, friends, taxis, etc. Thank goodness our friend drove so we had no problems leaving. We went to check his parent´s apartment since it was on the 16th or 17th floor. People living there were pretty shaken up since many things had shifted, and on the higher floors the movement was greater so most things fell. His refrigerator was even on the floor.
From there we were taken to another friend`s house. Her parents welcomed us and we had tea in the dark and went to various beds to sleep. Several people came to meet there. (At this point I had not slept more than 7 hours in about 35+ hours)

The next few days were interesting to say the least. The day after the earthquake stores were closed as well as the metro and buses were not running. Most of everything seemed to go on as normal, people out in the street walking around and driving. But since big grocery stores were closed, we had to wait in line for two hours in a corner grocery. Met a few nice people though! Since Laura´s bf apartment was in one of the buildings as well that had some cracks and damage, he didnt stay there. So the three of us slept in Laura´s bed. so so cozy....

I had to still buy a bus ticket, but I didnt want to venture into downtown on Sunday since things were prob still chaotic, so I waited until Monday. But of course I still needed a cell phone and to let my school know I would be late. Very stressful two days. On Monday Laura was called off work since they had to check the building, so we went to get everything I needed. I left on a bus that day at 4. Arrived in Vallenar at 2 am. Had to wake up at 6 to get ready for my first day. Had to go to the head office to find out my schedule. Im gonna spare the details, but Ill just say it was a mess!

I now have a position at two schools. Last week I visited both (one I worked at before) and had time to plan out my curriculum. No I was not provided books or a real curriculum. I used other teachers´ examples, but Im going it alone! There is another English teacher at both schools, but only one can speak to me in English (this is surprisingly normal). I started classes on Monday, and its been stressful. I had the full class to myself, sometimes assistants were there, but they seldom helped. There are about 40 kids in each class, and they dont understand English, so Im having to translate everything right now, and Im not bilingual! Having all the first graders standing up and hanging on me to check their every step, yelling "tia!," and asking about the bathroom almost drove me crazy! Maintaining control is hard right now, but Im working on ideas to get everything more organized. Right now it all seems to be trial and error.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Ill need it. :)