Clase Dever Tedo

            I’ve heard a lot of great stories but never quite knew what to expect. I was standing at the school waiting anxiously for the students to arrive on the bus. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t think straight. The only thing I could think about was that I had waited months for this life changing experience. I knew I was anxious but didn’t know if I was nervous or excited. I guess I was both but I wasn’t worried about my feelings right then. I turned back around to the street and saw a bus filled with kids pulling into the school. My palms started getting sweaty and my heart started beating twice as fast. The bus stopped right in front of us and a man opened the door. I was astonished by how many kids were piled in, as there were students on one another’s laps, some on the floor, and a few just wherever there was space. They all rushed out to hug the closest volunteer. I stood there for a moment still trying to believe this was happening but a small boy hugging and poking me immediately interrupted me. I looked down and noticed his hair. It looked like one of the three stooges hair. I laughed a little and bent down to hug him. I introduced myself and asked what his name was, although I don’t think he heard me because he quickly went and hugged the next volunteer. I said hola and hugged the rest of the students and then went to my assigned classroom. Picture this…I walk in and see two boys in a wheelchair a 17 year old and a 7-8 year old. I later found out that the 17-year olds name is Darwin and the 7-8 year olds is Antonio. I look over and see 6 other students 5 boy and one girl. I go around introducing myself and learn everyone’s name. The smallest boy is Royner, then Pepe, Yimi, Joseph, Yeronia (girl), and Moises. I then introduce myself to the teacher, Norah. I then talk a little with the teacher through a translator. We get started soon after and I get instructed to help Moises and Antonio draw. First I go to Antonio and see how well he can hold the marker. His motor skills were under developed so I helped him hold the marker. After a little bit I go over and help Moises do the same. He doesn’t look up at me, but just keeps his head down. I try everything I can and nothing I do is successful. He finally draws a few shapes on his paper with my help. I try to be as kind and understanding as possible because I have no idea how hard it is for him and was a little in shock by how undeveloped his brain is at his age of 15.

The rest of the morning was the same thing. I want back and forth helping them draw squiggly lines. After the students snacked they came back to the classroom. I was told earlier in the day that the teacher’s daughter was sick and was leaving in the afternoon. I was also told that the principal would be filling in for her but to my delight she didn’t show up. I was in a classroom with children who didn’t understand me and I had no idea what to do. Luckily Whitney (a chaperone) came in and helped me take back control. She left after a few minutes. I was asking the students, “Which number is greater (Cual es el nemoro mayor).” After a while the students started getting out of control again. I tried to focus their attention back on me, but I was unsuccessful. I was soon in the middle trying to break up a fight. I split it up very quickly. After about 10 minutes Samantha and Megan came in to help me. We started teaching addition to the children through a translator. The three of us finished addition and for the rest of the day read books to the children and the children read books to us. They left after a fun and interesting day. Just after those couple hours in a classroom I already understand how differently these children live and are educated.