May 4, 2010 – Meet the Teacher Day
I haven’t been so nervous or excited at the same time before. The anticipation of finally going to our schools and the complete fear of the unknown at the same time is tug-o-war feeling. We started our day at 8:30 to meet Sean Samuels who is the PE Specialist under the Ministry of Education. He told us about our schools and then sent us off to meet our principals and students. We all van pooled to the first school together; Adel, which is the school for special needs students was truly an emotional experience.
We had no more than pulled up to the school when the water works started. Being someone who works with children with disabilities, I was so aware of what they were facing. The only difference is that people don’t care about these beautiful children. They are forgotten about, considered the dummies, rejects, worthless. Their smiles were beautiful! It brought such joy to see them smiling back and waving as we waited in the vehicles. I couldn’t hold back the tears – such a mixture of emotion. I was beyond excited for these students that they were going to get the care and attention they deserve, saddened by the reality that they face every day, and the reality that my life’s dream has actually come to fruition.
It doesn’t take long for people to know what I’m most passionate about. If you don’t, it’s teaching! I love children, I know that I was created to teach, it’s in my blood. Nothing makes me happier than when I am working with children, watching them discover new things, creating, or experiencing life. This is what I live for. Today when we pulled up to the school I realized that I am actually living my dream. Like right now! I am actually about to teach – everything that I have worked so hard for is paying off. I am living out my calling. Not only am I know teaching, but I’m teaching overseas!!! Since I went to Europe in grade 9, I have said that I will teach and I will teach in other countries. I am just in awe that this is actually happening. So blessed am I!
Funny thing is Adel isn’t even my school! Haha My school is Jennings and is on the south end of the island. We had one of the CRAZIEST drives of my life trying to get all of us to our schools. Shelby was our “taxi driver” today (she went on the study tour last year and is back to help out – we love her!). It was a combination of 4X4ing and tiny European streets. Let me tell you, it was an adventure! I had a massive headache when we finally made it back – all those potholes.
Shelby taught at Jennings last year, so when we finally arrived we were literally swarmed by the students shouting “Ms Bay! Ms Bay!” oh they were so excited to see her again. Here I started crying again. So overwhelmed by the love these children have to offer – I am going to learn SOOO much from them. They started hugging us and saying hi, they just wanted to touch us. I had about 15 children in front of me all reaching out their hands. I just wanted to squeeze them all, let them know how excited I am to be with them. Words tend to escape me during moments like that, I was trying to hold back tears as I just took in all the sights around me. So much need, yet there was so much joy. I am beyond blessed in Canada. So blessed indeed.
While driving I noticed an absurd amount of half finished buildings. In nearly every town and village homes are half built. It reminds me a lot of Jamaica, where things get started and not always finished. Stairs leading to a second floor that isn’t there, walls and no doors, etc. When flying in I thought, “wow, Antigua is pretty well developed” because all the homes seemed nice from above, tidy streets and manicured lawns. What I discovered is that a birds eye view is not always telling the true story. In amongst these lovely homes are shacks, falling apart building, structures that shouldn’t be lived in. I found out today that the minimum wage is around 5 EC an hour and when the EC dollar is about 2.5 the worth of the US dollar, you quickly realize that these people are living far below what is considered above poverty.
Tomorrow I start teaching! Pam and I feel ready, we have our games planned, supplied packed. It is going to be great! As a total bonus, our school has a meal program now! So no more packing lunches!!! That is a complete answer to prayer. I’m heading to bed early tonight to make sure I am totally rested for tomorrow, it will be a LONG day. Again, I am just SO excited to teach. I feel like I need to pinch myself. I cannot article the words to describe the feeling of reaching one of your life’s goals and ambitions; it is truly spectacular!
Good night for now. I’ll let you know how my first day of school goes tomorrow. If you’re praying… continued patience and grace. I can feel your prayers and I know they are working, because I haven’t been uptight at all, so thank you!
Luv, Jen
PS Apparently I laugh like a pig and Leticia laughs like a duck – stay tuned for the full story!
I haven’t been so nervous or excited at the same time before. The anticipation of finally going to our schools and the complete fear of the unknown at the same time is tug-o-war feeling. We started our day at 8:30 to meet Sean Samuels who is the PE Specialist under the Ministry of Education. He told us about our schools and then sent us off to meet our principals and students. We all van pooled to the first school together; Adel, which is the school for special needs students was truly an emotional experience.
We had no more than pulled up to the school when the water works started. Being someone who works with children with disabilities, I was so aware of what they were facing. The only difference is that people don’t care about these beautiful children. They are forgotten about, considered the dummies, rejects, worthless. Their smiles were beautiful! It brought such joy to see them smiling back and waving as we waited in the vehicles. I couldn’t hold back the tears – such a mixture of emotion. I was beyond excited for these students that they were going to get the care and attention they deserve, saddened by the reality that they face every day, and the reality that my life’s dream has actually come to fruition.
It doesn’t take long for people to know what I’m most passionate about. If you don’t, it’s teaching! I love children, I know that I was created to teach, it’s in my blood. Nothing makes me happier than when I am working with children, watching them discover new things, creating, or experiencing life. This is what I live for. Today when we pulled up to the school I realized that I am actually living my dream. Like right now! I am actually about to teach – everything that I have worked so hard for is paying off. I am living out my calling. Not only am I know teaching, but I’m teaching overseas!!! Since I went to Europe in grade 9, I have said that I will teach and I will teach in other countries. I am just in awe that this is actually happening. So blessed am I!
Funny thing is Adel isn’t even my school! Haha My school is Jennings and is on the south end of the island. We had one of the CRAZIEST drives of my life trying to get all of us to our schools. Shelby was our “taxi driver” today (she went on the study tour last year and is back to help out – we love her!). It was a combination of 4X4ing and tiny European streets. Let me tell you, it was an adventure! I had a massive headache when we finally made it back – all those potholes.
Shelby taught at Jennings last year, so when we finally arrived we were literally swarmed by the students shouting “Ms Bay! Ms Bay!” oh they were so excited to see her again. Here I started crying again. So overwhelmed by the love these children have to offer – I am going to learn SOOO much from them. They started hugging us and saying hi, they just wanted to touch us. I had about 15 children in front of me all reaching out their hands. I just wanted to squeeze them all, let them know how excited I am to be with them. Words tend to escape me during moments like that, I was trying to hold back tears as I just took in all the sights around me. So much need, yet there was so much joy. I am beyond blessed in Canada. So blessed indeed.
While driving I noticed an absurd amount of half finished buildings. In nearly every town and village homes are half built. It reminds me a lot of Jamaica, where things get started and not always finished. Stairs leading to a second floor that isn’t there, walls and no doors, etc. When flying in I thought, “wow, Antigua is pretty well developed” because all the homes seemed nice from above, tidy streets and manicured lawns. What I discovered is that a birds eye view is not always telling the true story. In amongst these lovely homes are shacks, falling apart building, structures that shouldn’t be lived in. I found out today that the minimum wage is around 5 EC an hour and when the EC dollar is about 2.5 the worth of the US dollar, you quickly realize that these people are living far below what is considered above poverty.
Tomorrow I start teaching! Pam and I feel ready, we have our games planned, supplied packed. It is going to be great! As a total bonus, our school has a meal program now! So no more packing lunches!!! That is a complete answer to prayer. I’m heading to bed early tonight to make sure I am totally rested for tomorrow, it will be a LONG day. Again, I am just SO excited to teach. I feel like I need to pinch myself. I cannot article the words to describe the feeling of reaching one of your life’s goals and ambitions; it is truly spectacular!
Good night for now. I’ll let you know how my first day of school goes tomorrow. If you’re praying… continued patience and grace. I can feel your prayers and I know they are working, because I haven’t been uptight at all, so thank you!
Luv, Jen
PS Apparently I laugh like a pig and Leticia laughs like a duck – stay tuned for the full story!
