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.