I cannot believe that today is my last day in St. Lucia. I am excited to be home for Christmas and see all of my family and friends, but I will miss everyone here. This past week at school my students didn't have any classes so they spent the days playing games and doing other fun activities. I was able to get to know my students even better this past week by spending some quality time just talking with them. I am going to miss each and every one of them! My grade six students at The Montessori Centre will always be a special group to me. This past week my students also had their Christmas concert and Christmas party. The concert was held outside and it was fun to watch kids come in shorts and tank tops. My students did a wonderful job performing to the song, "Santa Ketchup in a Mango Tree."
Thursday was my last day with all of the grade six students. They had their Christmas party which included a lot of dancing and food! It was a good time. During the party my students took some time to say good bye to me. I had a few students come in front of the class and give little speeches about me. They all had such kind words to say. About ten of them want to be packed in my suitcase, and all of them want me to come back! They also presented me with a gift. Inside was St. Lucia's flag, a banner with St. Lucia on it, some homemade guava jelly made by my cooperating teacher, but the best gift was the pencils each student made for me. I collect pencils, so each student wrote a special message to me on a pencil. These have easily become my favorite pencils in my collection. At the end of the day it was tough saying good bye to my students. I had one girl who hugged me until her mom came up to get her, then she "forgot" something at school and came back and gave me many more hugs. My students have been nothing but welcoming to me since the moment I got here! I am going to miss each and every one of them for their own unique personalities I got to know over the eight weeks I have been in St. Lucia.
On Friday we had parent-teacher conferences, so I was able to see a few of my students one last time! The conferences were lead by the students and it was interesting to watch even the loudest kids in class become so quiet and nervous during their conference. This showed me that each student wants to do their best. Some already know how to do their best, and some are still learning what they need to do. The student lead conference put more ownership of the work in the student's hands. They had to tell their parents where they feel they are doing well, and where they feel they are struggling. This can be tough for a student to do, but these kids owned their work and many knew exactly what to do so they could start improving. I was extremely impressed with how well the conferences went for the students. Some of the parents though were a different story. Most of the parents were very interested in their student's growth and listening to the teachers' concerns about their child, but of course there were a few that just wanted their child's grades and even when a teacher voiced concern about their child, they didn't believe them. I knew this was to be expected, but it is tough to watch a parent not quite understand the seriousness of what the teacher is trying to tell them. Overall I was very impressed with conferences and I was able to talk with some fantastic parents who have raised fantastic, unforgettable children!
On Friday Morgan and I were able to have a little fun too! After school we spent one last afternoon on the beach! Then at night we went down to get food at the street party. Morgan got one last pork and fries (a Friday night staple for us), and I got some fish for the last time. After we ate we went down to Castries for the Festival of Lights. Today, December 13th, is National Day and to begin the celebration they have the Festival of Lights. We went to Derek Walcott Square where they had a stage for different performances. We saw a few different singers and a group perform a dance. Then they had the lighting of the Christmas lights in the square which was followed by fireworks! After the fireworks we followed the Masquerade dancers and the band to the bay where people let off "wish lanterns" into the water. People had small, paper lanterns with a candle inside and they let them go into the water. It was beautiful to watch them all flow out towards the ocean. I am glad we were able to experience part of the National Day traditions.
Getting on the plane eight weeks ago I didn't know where this journey was going to take me. I knew I was going to St. Lucia to student teach, but I had no idea about the types of relationships I would make along the way, the unforgettable places I would get to visit, and the amazing experiences I would have that would change my life. I am leaving St. Lucia not only as a better teacher, but as I better person. I have grown so much in these past eight weeks. Yesterday Morgan and I were talking and she told me how she gets mad at people who choose not to take advantage of wonderful opportunities like this, and I couldn't agree more! At home I would have never learned how to adapt to a new culture, teach in a school setting with few resources, create relationships with people from all over the world, or learn how to trap lizards in the house so you can set them free. I have absolutely no regrets that I took this opportunity to teach in St. Lucia. It has been tough, but each tough moment has taught me a lesson that has made me stronger! I can't wait to be home again, but when I am home I know I will also be missing my second home in St. Lucia.
Thursday was my last day with all of the grade six students. They had their Christmas party which included a lot of dancing and food! It was a good time. During the party my students took some time to say good bye to me. I had a few students come in front of the class and give little speeches about me. They all had such kind words to say. About ten of them want to be packed in my suitcase, and all of them want me to come back! They also presented me with a gift. Inside was St. Lucia's flag, a banner with St. Lucia on it, some homemade guava jelly made by my cooperating teacher, but the best gift was the pencils each student made for me. I collect pencils, so each student wrote a special message to me on a pencil. These have easily become my favorite pencils in my collection. At the end of the day it was tough saying good bye to my students. I had one girl who hugged me until her mom came up to get her, then she "forgot" something at school and came back and gave me many more hugs. My students have been nothing but welcoming to me since the moment I got here! I am going to miss each and every one of them for their own unique personalities I got to know over the eight weeks I have been in St. Lucia.
On Friday we had parent-teacher conferences, so I was able to see a few of my students one last time! The conferences were lead by the students and it was interesting to watch even the loudest kids in class become so quiet and nervous during their conference. This showed me that each student wants to do their best. Some already know how to do their best, and some are still learning what they need to do. The student lead conference put more ownership of the work in the student's hands. They had to tell their parents where they feel they are doing well, and where they feel they are struggling. This can be tough for a student to do, but these kids owned their work and many knew exactly what to do so they could start improving. I was extremely impressed with how well the conferences went for the students. Some of the parents though were a different story. Most of the parents were very interested in their student's growth and listening to the teachers' concerns about their child, but of course there were a few that just wanted their child's grades and even when a teacher voiced concern about their child, they didn't believe them. I knew this was to be expected, but it is tough to watch a parent not quite understand the seriousness of what the teacher is trying to tell them. Overall I was very impressed with conferences and I was able to talk with some fantastic parents who have raised fantastic, unforgettable children!
On Friday Morgan and I were able to have a little fun too! After school we spent one last afternoon on the beach! Then at night we went down to get food at the street party. Morgan got one last pork and fries (a Friday night staple for us), and I got some fish for the last time. After we ate we went down to Castries for the Festival of Lights. Today, December 13th, is National Day and to begin the celebration they have the Festival of Lights. We went to Derek Walcott Square where they had a stage for different performances. We saw a few different singers and a group perform a dance. Then they had the lighting of the Christmas lights in the square which was followed by fireworks! After the fireworks we followed the Masquerade dancers and the band to the bay where people let off "wish lanterns" into the water. People had small, paper lanterns with a candle inside and they let them go into the water. It was beautiful to watch them all flow out towards the ocean. I am glad we were able to experience part of the National Day traditions.
Getting on the plane eight weeks ago I didn't know where this journey was going to take me. I knew I was going to St. Lucia to student teach, but I had no idea about the types of relationships I would make along the way, the unforgettable places I would get to visit, and the amazing experiences I would have that would change my life. I am leaving St. Lucia not only as a better teacher, but as I better person. I have grown so much in these past eight weeks. Yesterday Morgan and I were talking and she told me how she gets mad at people who choose not to take advantage of wonderful opportunities like this, and I couldn't agree more! At home I would have never learned how to adapt to a new culture, teach in a school setting with few resources, create relationships with people from all over the world, or learn how to trap lizards in the house so you can set them free. I have absolutely no regrets that I took this opportunity to teach in St. Lucia. It has been tough, but each tough moment has taught me a lesson that has made me stronger! I can't wait to be home again, but when I am home I know I will also be missing my second home in St. Lucia.