But not for the students of 49 Junior High. Yesterday was supposed to be a holiday for them, but it was the day we arrived to experience their school. So many students volunteered to be there for the half the day to meet with American teachers. I'm wondering how many of my students would have shown up on the morning of Thanksgiving for such a visit, although I'm sure some would have.
The school was about a 30 minute bus ride away, and the students were all lined up along the balcony of the third floor to greet us. The teachers and principal were in the courtyard and seemed very happy and excited to meet us. We were led upstairs (past both their trophy case filled with gleaming metal and another case filled with artwork made from recycled material) and led into the media room, where the principal and our IREX guide, Susanna Miller, gave brief speeches. The principal opened with a prayer and blessings for our efforts and Susanna thanked our gracious hosts. We were divided up into subject area groups and went up another flight of stairs to the classroom, where the students awaited.
As we entered the classroom, our host teacher, Aziza, asked the students to greet us. One student, obviously designated the class leader, stood at attention and commanded the other students to rise and greet us. And they did. Just like back home. We introduced ourselves and then they had an opportunity to ask questions. At first a bit shy, they then eventually felt comfortable enough to ask such questions as, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" and "What about ghosts? Do you think there are ghosts?" Fourteen year old students seem to have similar concerns the world over!
The students were all dressed in navy blue slacks or skirts, white shirt or blouse and navy blue ties and black Converse shoes. We thanked them for coming in on a holiday and asked what they would usually be doing (sleeping, playing video games, eating, hanging out with their family). It seems this group was the students' family at school, as they never left their classroom, but the teachers were the ones who travelled. There were posters that were up all over the wall (Give Peace to the World, Experience Is the Best Teacher, No Racism: We're All Family) and I asked the students if they had put them there. They said yes, because their teacher wanted them to. Honest bunch.
Well, after typing all of the above and then some more (about an hour's worth), I lost my internet connection but didn't know it until I tried to publish this post. So, I'm coming back to it briefly, just to post and I'll write more later. But, on the bright side, you didn't have to wade through my ramblings. Now I'll have more time to reflect and condense. What's that old saw? "I would have written a shorter note, but I didn't have time." :)
The school was about a 30 minute bus ride away, and the students were all lined up along the balcony of the third floor to greet us. The teachers and principal were in the courtyard and seemed very happy and excited to meet us. We were led upstairs (past both their trophy case filled with gleaming metal and another case filled with artwork made from recycled material) and led into the media room, where the principal and our IREX guide, Susanna Miller, gave brief speeches. The principal opened with a prayer and blessings for our efforts and Susanna thanked our gracious hosts. We were divided up into subject area groups and went up another flight of stairs to the classroom, where the students awaited.
As we entered the classroom, our host teacher, Aziza, asked the students to greet us. One student, obviously designated the class leader, stood at attention and commanded the other students to rise and greet us. And they did. Just like back home. We introduced ourselves and then they had an opportunity to ask questions. At first a bit shy, they then eventually felt comfortable enough to ask such questions as, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" and "What about ghosts? Do you think there are ghosts?" Fourteen year old students seem to have similar concerns the world over!
The students were all dressed in navy blue slacks or skirts, white shirt or blouse and navy blue ties and black Converse shoes. We thanked them for coming in on a holiday and asked what they would usually be doing (sleeping, playing video games, eating, hanging out with their family). It seems this group was the students' family at school, as they never left their classroom, but the teachers were the ones who travelled. There were posters that were up all over the wall (Give Peace to the World, Experience Is the Best Teacher, No Racism: We're All Family) and I asked the students if they had put them there. They said yes, because their teacher wanted them to. Honest bunch.
Well, after typing all of the above and then some more (about an hour's worth), I lost my internet connection but didn't know it until I tried to publish this post. So, I'm coming back to it briefly, just to post and I'll write more later. But, on the bright side, you didn't have to wade through my ramblings. Now I'll have more time to reflect and condense. What's that old saw? "I would have written a shorter note, but I didn't have time." :)
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