No snow here . . . but Christmas is coming anyway

Everything is finally starting to fall into place and I’m establishing a good routine here. It truly feels like I’ve been here much longer than three weeks and I am excited for what the next six weeks will bring. I’m teaching more and more at school each day and taking responsibility for more of the daily routines. The students really liked the Jeopardy game we played in class on Wednesday because they thrive on competition. I couldn’t help but laugh inside at the utter disgust and disappointment on the boys’ faces after losing to the girls. They made me promise to let them have a rematch sometime soon.

After school, I stayed behind with the principal and the new teachers to discuss some of the teaching strategies and tips we learn about in the States. They were shocked that we have to go to school for four years (and often longer) in order to be certified. One of the new teachers is actually younger than I am and has no certification at all! I learned that many teachers around the island gain a few years of experience as a full time teacher and then take education courses for about two years before receiving their certification to teach on any island in the Caribbean. Somehow I don’t think the DPI would go for that.

We also talked about classroom management and discipline. The major difference between the two countries is that they can use rulers or even just their hands to beat students who misbehave. I explained that if we even touched a student in the States, there would be a lawsuit for sure! I tried to offer up some other punishments we use such as afterschool detentions, loss of recess privileges and a call home to the parents, but they were leery to believe any of those would work here.

As part of Mathematics month, we are supposed to do some crafts and games with the students to promote that math can be fun and exciting. We are also encouraged to decorate the room for when the parents come in at the end of the month. The first activity I tried was creating tessellations, and the students really got into it. After a few practice papers, each student produced a colorful and unique pattern which I hung around the room. They love to point out and admire each others’ work and the papers help make the room look more fun and inviting.

I got the opportunity to see Castries from the top of a tall hill the other night and the view was absolutely stunning. The lights in the houses and buildings and bustle of cars on the streets reminded me of Chicago, but being able to see it without having to be behind the glass of a 50th floor window was remarkable. Like I said before, the city itself is not the cleanest at ground level, but from that high up it is beautiful.

One thing that doesn’t quite fit into my routine just yet is all of the Christmas decorations and music found in the stores already! I was shocked to see huge ornaments hanging from the ceiling in the grocery store last week. It’s so weird to think about Christmas without snow (or even having to wear a jacket!), but as long as I don’t see Santa riding at Jetski, I think I’ll be okay.