What a week...

This week has been a whirl-wind. It's nice to sit back and realize that it went by quickly. On the other hand, weeks like this demand downtime for recovery...

Most of my days were crazy as usual. We had some rough moments - like this morning when Roberto turned to me and said over all the noise going on during unpacking time, "Miss... I can't hear myself think!" I told him, "I know. That's how I feel all the time!" And yet - what's the solution? Yelling over them to tell them to quiet down seems oddly inappropriate. We also had some good times... Our Bible lesson this week was about the Ten Commandments (which was nice considering I taught about them at camp this summer) and I definitely taught my kids the song that has helped me remember them ever since VBS in 2001. They were part of the theme song for Truth Trackers, and now they'll hopefully stick in the minds of 21 Hondurans and 1 North American...

Speaking of singing, they also insisted on calling my daddy and singing "Happy Birthday" to him via Skype this morning. It was something we did for Mom, and they didn't want him to be left out.

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Tuesday and Wednesday were half-days for the students so we could spend our afternoons conferencing with parents. Here at Pinares, students can only receive their 9-week report cards if their parents come pick them up at a parent teacher conference. This was a new experience for me because although we were "required" to have two parent conferences per year at Vincent, it never really happened. As it turns out, I believe conferences hold the teacher accountable just as much as the students... It is a time to look into the eyes of someone who cares deeply and to really evaluate the grades much more closely than when they are just entered into the gradebook or computer as quickly as possible.

So in that light, there's nothing quite like 21 parent-teacher conferences in 28 hours to make you feel like a terrible teacher. After all, if they're failing - is it because I'm failing them?

And those same 21 parent-teacher conferences can also leave you feeling very inexperienced and clueless. What do you say when a parent looks at you helplessly and asks, "So what do we do to help her (or him)?"

So - I've tried to raise the bar on my teaching this week. I feel like I've spent the last nine weeks trying to keep things fun for the kids to minimize boredom. I've constantly focused on switching up my instructional methods from whole-group to small groups to partners to independent studies in order to fight against routine and to keep the kids interested while simultaneously minimizing protests and complaining. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I've had learning that results from quality instruction at the top of my priority list. This week I realized that their growth has to come before their entertainment.

So this week, I've tried to be much more hands-on... Of course, I can't promise that they're listening. In fact, with this group - I can pretty much guarantee that at least a fourth of them are not at any given time. However, it seems like this will be a year when at the very least, I won't go down without a fight... Unfortunately, this has also meant that productivity on tasks such as grading and lesson plans was lowered drastically during the school day. It's funny because we're required to have our weekly lesson plans finished and papers graded by Friday afternoons. That means that we have to do it all during the week. It's nice to try to quit the habit of spending each weekend on school things, but it's funny because the weekend sometimes feels like the only time when the days are long enough to get anything done. So the battle ensues between dedicating devoted attention to instruction and monitoring students' work all day, or using testing and assignment times to accomplish tasks that could consume the after-school hours.

I feel like I'm rambling.

A few days ago, someone asked me how long I've been teaching... That's such an awkward question because I've technically taught for two and a half years (three as of next month) - but this is my fourth class.

I can't believe that. This is my fourth class...

I've taught about 95 kids - and if they remember me as they grow up, I will forever be included in the list of their elementary school teachers. I still remember every teacher I had when I was little... I can't believe I am one of them now.

So tonight has turned into a night of movies and coloring. Yes. That's right. I'm 25 years old and I've been coloring for a few hours. It's very relaxing. So are You've Got Mail (my favorite!) and Sweet Home Alabama. In fact - it's time for a dvd change. On to Serendipity... :)

Oh, and it's also past time to call Mom.

But before I do, I know I need to add a few things to my list of things that I can't wait to do over Christmas break - I'll be coming home five weeks from tomorrow!!!!!!!

• burn the midnight oil at Jason's Deli with Megan (and hopefully Tina, Lolita, Big Rhonda, and Milton Thorton - if they decide to show up) and maybe even a sleepover!
• finally hear the story of Sarah's engagement (and if you're reading this and you know it, please don't ruin it for me... I've been waiting until she can tell me in person!) and maybe even see her new house.
• hopefully have dinner and spend a little time with Charli the girl... :)
• eat at Chickfila, Jim n Nick's, Zaxby's, Taco Bell, Don Pepe, and Mi Casita...

I'm not sure two weeks and two days are enough time for all these wonderful blessings...