I am so sorry that it has been so long! I apologize to any of you who have sent me emails or facebook messages that went unanswered. My life has taken off since the end of August and I have been in and out of internet access since then. However, as of yesterday afternoon we finally have internet in the house!
So many things have happened since my last post, so I will try to summarize my life as best I can.
Since then I have...
-Started School!
Yes, I am finally a real life teacher! 1st grade keeps me on my toes at all times, but I absolutley love my job. I only have ten students in my classroom, but I am not complaining! Here is a little backround on my students:
Many of the families at JCS are local business owners, politicians, doctors and lawyers. Because our school is bi-lingual and American based, families send their children there for a quality education, not because it is a Christian school. This differs from alot from Christian schools in the States, because a good percentage of the families are not believers. As a friend pointed out to me, most of them will follow in their parent's footsteps and become local leaders. So as Christians we JCS teachers have the incredible oppurtunity and responsibility to share God's love with both the current and future leaders of Jarabacoa.
JCS starts in Pre-K 2 and goes through 12th grade, so most of my students have been attending the school for 4 years already. Their minds have been immursed in english since they were 2 years old, but language development is still a large focus of my teaching day. It has been fun trying to find ways to teach english vocabulary throughout the various subjects of the day.
A normal day includes Calendar, Bible, Reading Groups, Snack/Recess (of course!), Math, Phonics, Specials (Gym, Art or Computers), Lunch/Recess, Read-aloud, Handwriting, Spanish (praise the Lord-I don't teach this!) Social Studies or Centers.
As you can see we keep very busy, but we have lots of fun! I have a GREAT group of kids who are hardworking, sweet and absolutley halarious. They wear me out alot, but I am so lucky.
We just finished our firefighter unit this Friday. We ended it with a JCS FD ceremony were they were awarded their badges and hats for knowing firesaftey!
Here are more pictures!!Teaching 1st grade wouldn't be as fun without my fellow teacher and friend, Kristin DeYoung! I am so lucky to have her guidance as I venture in my first year of teaching. She has also become a very close friend and I am so so blessed to have her in my life!
Kristin and I at Parent Night
-Moved Houses
In the middle of September my roomates and I moved down the road into a new house. A number of factors went into the desicion, but in short, we are now in a little more secluded (meaning, safer) and quieter part of the neighborhood. Our landlord, also our nextdoor neighbor, has been very helpful with the move and is Mr. Handyman himself. I am so glad he is around! We are the first renters of this place, so we are pretty blessed!
Amanda have already set our creative minds to work, but don't have much fruit from our labor yet. Photos yet to come!
-Found a church
One of my goals upon coming to live in the DR was to remain closley connected with Dominican culture by getting involved with a local church. Teaching at a English speaking school and working/living with fellow American teachers has given me plenty oppurtunity to stay connected with my own culture, but has made it too easy to remain closed off from Dominican culture. My first Sunday here I visited a church only minutes walking distance from my house called Amor a Quesquia. My roomie, Mandy and I have been going there since then and I know I have found my Dominican home church. Within my first few Sundays we met a group of people our age that we have loved getting to know. They have been incredibly welcoming and supportive of us being here. One of the things that I admire about the church is their closeness and obvious love for each other. After each Sunday service we head into town and usually eat a cheap meal out or pitch in to make a meal together. I am so excited to spend more time with these people that have made my transition that much easier.
We love to play Uno-Dominican style! Even when the power goes out!
-Joined a Bible Study
I have also decided to join a small group through Amor Quisqua. This has been a great way to know other people in the church that I might not get to know otherwise. It also gives me another oppurtunity to practice my Spanish!
-Started a dance class
Kristin and I have started an excersise/dance class for girls Grades 3-6. Each week we do a mix of kickboxing, zumba and yoga stretches. It has been so much fun to learn dances with these girls because they know how to move better than we do! Kristin and I thought it would be an excellent oppurtunity to encourage excersise through dance (something all Domincans know how to do!) that is both fun and edifying!
-Started Tutoring
While most of my students come from well off families and have been learning english for a few years now, I have one student who is in his first year at JCS. Bryan comes from a very poor family and has never been in an educational setting before, let alone a full day English speaking school. He is a VERY high energy little boy and obviously has an especially hard time adjusting to the langauge aspect of school. So we have started tutoring after school on Tuesdays. This gives me a chance to know and understand Bryan better as a child, not just as a student. We have so much fun doing different games and activities that I otherwise would not get to do with him. He is very fun and is always looking forward to "playing with Miss Craig" on Tuesday afternoons! ;)
Believe it or not, that has been a short summary! I look forward to hearing from people and being able to respond! Thanks so much for all your prayers thus far. It is a blessing to know that I have the love and support from people back home! If you would please continue to pray for
-energy througout the week
-love for my students, even when I am tired!
-tutoring sessions with Bryan-that they would be benificial and productive, but also enjoyable for him!
-continued postive relationships with church friends
-improved Spanish skills. I am getting plenty of practice, but sometimes it is tiring!
Peace and Blessings,
Jo
