This is the name of the school where I am student teaching. There are over 1,000 students in this building, from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, with a staff of over one hundred and fifty people. The school is absolutely beautiful. I thought it was about time I talk more about what I'm doing with teaching -- it is the reason that I'm here after all.
I am working in a wonderful third grade classroom with two teachers, one from North Carolina, and the other is from a village an hour away from here. There are three grade three classes, where we are joined together in a pod of classrooms. As teachers, we collaborate quite often, arranging summative assessments and lesson ideas around four times a week. I'm learning a lot more about working with other teachers, grabbing ideas and modifying them to fit my own teaching style. The students are a joy to teach. They love to learn, name facts (a girl who asks me the capital cities of multiple countries constantly) and ask questions. I am often reflecting on my own work, my own thoughts, and my own beliefs so I can have a better understanding of how my worldview affects my teaching, and will affect the lives of these students.
Some of the lessons I have been teaching include an English unit on the book "Helen Keller: A light for the World, how to write a paragraph, a science unit on light, a math unit on mass, and the Ten Commandments in Biblical Studies. Lessons have to be arranged and thought through in a cultural context. There is a difference in teaching the Ten Commandments here in Indonesia then in North America. I would find the "harder" commandments to teach would be on resting on the Sabbath, and perhaps lying or adultery (with the divorce rates and all). But I ended up spending over two lessons talking about idols and having only one God. Here, the students know multiple people who believe in Buddha or some of the Hindu gods. There are idols all over. What happens to them, Ms. Shena? Is it okay to have guardian statues in front of our house? Well....we talked about which God we should trust, and who has the ultimate power to protect us and that is God. He comes first, and we don't need statutes and idols to protect us. A bit of an adjustment to deal with such reality.
I am reminded of this constantly. Trusting in God will get me through any day, any circumstance, any lesson, any decision. What a comfort.
But I am loving the teaching. Last week I completed my full-time week of teaching! It was stressful and a lot of hard work, but the rewards were rich and the smiles made me realize why I love this profession. I used some of the ideas from my last practicum, (math games but modified and a song) so that was great! I have been reminded constantly by other teachers and the principal that there is an opening here at the school in third grade. But the school year starts in July, and I so happened to be getting married that month (!!!!) so I guess teaching here wasn't meant to be. However, I am thrilled about the experiences I am making here, and look forward to the last couple of weeks. I have been applying to other schools back in North America but have yet to hear back. If you wouldn't mind mentioning a prayer or two for Nathan and I about jobs and future that would be fabulous. We continue to seek His guidance on our future plans!
Two more weeks to go here in Indonesia. I try to have the mindset...I'm not busy --I'm just trying to be fruitful in my work --.
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