Update from ES
Well, I am in the capital again for meds! I have a new skin problem: dermititis from some soccer cleets I bought in the market and didn't think to wash before I wore them. And, my allergies have been kicking my butt since I got in this country so they are starting me on a regiment of Allegra which, if it works, I might be on for the remainder of my service.
I officially have 19 months left of my service. When I put it like that it sounds like so little! I have been here about 6 months now and time is flying by. I really like my site. I jumped right into teaching English full time which for the most part has been exactly what I wanted to get my feet wet in. There have been some very hard culture adjustments tho especially in school culture. I have already mentioned how different schools are here but I haven't mentioned the discipline and parent side of it really. I have 5 English classes: two 7th grades, 2 8th grades, and one 9th grade. AND, one of my 7th grades is just filled with malcriados (bad kids)! Let me now add another list of why this more complicated in the El Salvador setting:
1. Substitute teachers don't exist. The current English teacher is in training. So, if I hadn't offered to take over his classes until he comes back the kids would have 3 libre periods a week of NOTHING. Literally hanging out, staring into other classes, causing trouble, whatever. As it is, they English teacher is also the computer teacher and I did not offer to take over that as well so right now they have 1 period a week free. Can you imagine 4 out of the 20 classes they have a week??
2. School meetings are during the school day... including Civic Mondays when they do their national anthem and country stuff, Parent meetings which are like 3 hours every 3 months, and teacher meetings which are like an hour every 2 weeks, etc ALL HAPPEN DURING SCHOOL HOURS. So, this means that Every Monday, my first period class essentially doesn't happen. Then, they had a teacher meeting on Wednesday morning so the kids didn't have class again. Last week, we had a parent conference on Friday afternoon so the kids in the afternoon had no class at all that day. The thing is that most of the teachers, in fact only 3, live within walking distance of the school and they are paid nearly enought to stay after hours and well, I suppose they have just been doing it this way for so long that its the best way. And, the same goes with the parents. Some come from far away communities and the only way to get them their is have it during the day. Totally opposite from the States... Amazingly though, the parent attendance was stellar. Partly, because its required to get their monthly assistance payment but still I was impressed...
3. Detention doesn't exist. There aren't any extra teachers or hours to accomodate this. And, I think all around punishment system is just not enforced. Its really hard. Because, it takes its toll on the whole class when you have one or a few bad kids that you are forced to keep in your class for lack of another way.
4. Parents (mostly fathers) don't exist... at least not at home. I recently did a diagnostic which I asked the kids in an anonymous survey all kinds of personal questions. The results showed that only a third have fathers at home. Most are likely working in the States. This also makes discipline hard. Some don't get a lot of it at home. And, there parents have a lot else going on. I don't know. I am still learning the discipline ropes here. Totally different.
So yeah, other than that things are good. I am starting a women's soccer team with the high school girls and so wish me luck with that. I am cleaning out our library which was in shambles and hiding some very nice, new shiny books that I am anxious to showcase. And, yeah studying my spanish. I need to be more on top of it so I can finally understand the people on TV. I will feel like a success when I can finally keep up with them :)
Hope all is well at home. Always praying for ya'll.
I officially have 19 months left of my service. When I put it like that it sounds like so little! I have been here about 6 months now and time is flying by. I really like my site. I jumped right into teaching English full time which for the most part has been exactly what I wanted to get my feet wet in. There have been some very hard culture adjustments tho especially in school culture. I have already mentioned how different schools are here but I haven't mentioned the discipline and parent side of it really. I have 5 English classes: two 7th grades, 2 8th grades, and one 9th grade. AND, one of my 7th grades is just filled with malcriados (bad kids)! Let me now add another list of why this more complicated in the El Salvador setting:
1. Substitute teachers don't exist. The current English teacher is in training. So, if I hadn't offered to take over his classes until he comes back the kids would have 3 libre periods a week of NOTHING. Literally hanging out, staring into other classes, causing trouble, whatever. As it is, they English teacher is also the computer teacher and I did not offer to take over that as well so right now they have 1 period a week free. Can you imagine 4 out of the 20 classes they have a week??
2. School meetings are during the school day... including Civic Mondays when they do their national anthem and country stuff, Parent meetings which are like 3 hours every 3 months, and teacher meetings which are like an hour every 2 weeks, etc ALL HAPPEN DURING SCHOOL HOURS. So, this means that Every Monday, my first period class essentially doesn't happen. Then, they had a teacher meeting on Wednesday morning so the kids didn't have class again. Last week, we had a parent conference on Friday afternoon so the kids in the afternoon had no class at all that day. The thing is that most of the teachers, in fact only 3, live within walking distance of the school and they are paid nearly enought to stay after hours and well, I suppose they have just been doing it this way for so long that its the best way. And, the same goes with the parents. Some come from far away communities and the only way to get them their is have it during the day. Totally opposite from the States... Amazingly though, the parent attendance was stellar. Partly, because its required to get their monthly assistance payment but still I was impressed...
3. Detention doesn't exist. There aren't any extra teachers or hours to accomodate this. And, I think all around punishment system is just not enforced. Its really hard. Because, it takes its toll on the whole class when you have one or a few bad kids that you are forced to keep in your class for lack of another way.
4. Parents (mostly fathers) don't exist... at least not at home. I recently did a diagnostic which I asked the kids in an anonymous survey all kinds of personal questions. The results showed that only a third have fathers at home. Most are likely working in the States. This also makes discipline hard. Some don't get a lot of it at home. And, there parents have a lot else going on. I don't know. I am still learning the discipline ropes here. Totally different.
So yeah, other than that things are good. I am starting a women's soccer team with the high school girls and so wish me luck with that. I am cleaning out our library which was in shambles and hiding some very nice, new shiny books that I am anxious to showcase. And, yeah studying my spanish. I need to be more on top of it so I can finally understand the people on TV. I will feel like a success when I can finally keep up with them :)
Hope all is well at home. Always praying for ya'll.
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