El Camino

Things are picking up with school here- I'm finally beginning to get a feel for Spanish public education and getting to know my students. I must say, the first week or so, I felt completely out of place. Going from teacher social time to class with the two english teachers, Fran and Maria Jose, I was exhausted by the end. One day, I almost burst into tears when I didn't understand one of the activities Maria Jose wanted me to do with the kids. I felt like if I heard one more word in Spanish I would simultaneously throw something across the room and punch the wall.

But as I sit here, drinking my Estrella Galicia Artesana (a better version of the most popular beer in Galica). I can't help thinking how much I have to be thankful for...

For one thing, I am actually seeing a difference with the kids and beginning to build relationships. I am past operating at survival mode and actually settling into my role as English teacher. The children could not be more sweet, or smart! Some classes are harder than others, just like in the U.S. And sometimes I do get frustrated with the teaching styles. For instance, Spain has recently begun to merge Exceptional children (i.e. children with learning disabilities) with non-disabled children in the classroom. Apparently, most of the teachers are in favor of this, and I am as well. I think it's important for children with difficulties to not feel any more different than they already do, and to become socially aware. But this comes with its share of issues. We have one boy named Alex in a wheelchair, who is in 5th grade., Who knows how old he is. He is a sweet boy, always with a smile, and while he can't say much, he is trying so hard- always making noises as if he is trying to participate. But it breaks my heart to think that he will probably repeat this class Lord know how many times. A few other kids have learning difficulties, and Fran has made sure to tell me repeatedly, which i find freaking annoying to be honest. Reiterating the fact that things are harder for them does not make things better. They need to be treated as any other student, with some discrete supplementary help. I try really hard to give these kids extra attention without calling the attention of the other students to this. One boy, Borja, is the most adorable boy you could ever meet. He has long brown hair and the cutest round face. Every time he sees me, he says "Ello Teacher." He tried to hold my hand during a game today, but one of the girls pushed him away (I couldn't say that I would rather hold Borja's hand haha).

Also, Maria Jose had taken me under her wing. She is always asking how I'm doing and told me today that if I need anything, I can call her and she'll at my apartment in 5 minutes. You just don't find many people so willing to drop what they're doing to help you! She spent 45 minutes showing me all the different parts of Galicia and Spain, and telling me all the good places to go. She also plans to have me over for dinner and to take a long walk with her family on a famous mountain. I cannot wait! She has two boys- her oldest, Sergio, is in my 6th grade class and gets teased for having Justin Bieber hair. These people are the salt of the earth.

And my last big announcement- I have connected with some awesome auxiliars. As much as I love Spanish language and culture, some days I would kill for a Poptart and some friends who speak English.... prayer answered! At the program orientation last week, I met up with another English teacher in Boiro, an Irish girl named Ashleigh. She is bubbly and talkative and looks just like Emma Stone. I am not kidding- and I have always wanted to be friends with Emma Stone! Anyways, we met up with another Irish girl named Nicole, Sean from Seattle, Sarah from, get this, Raleigh, Matt and Rachel from the UK...and I think that's all the important ones. We ended up going to Santiago this past weekend and exploring together, and it was just what the doctor ordered! But I will tell you more about that later, I'm off to have a cervecita with the other profes. Talk to you soon!

My first day and other things

Well friends, a week in and I´m happy to say that I´m getting used to the Spanish way of life. Still getting weird looks everywhere I go, but I think I´m getting used to it:) Marisela, my roommate and a Kindergarten teacher at my school is very nice and hospitable. I went in to my elementary school (CEIP de Abanqueiro) last wednesday to meet some of the teachers and I had my first official day today! The school has about 40 students and 17 teachers, and they are all precious. From the get-go the other teachers asked me how i was settling in, offering to take me places and show me around Boiro, etc. I´m still trying to keep everyone´s names straight, but there´s Justo, the gym teacher who was excited to tell me how he´s been to San Francisco and Las Vegas, and was drinking coffee out of a Star Wars mug (this is how I will always remember him), Paula, the kindest music teacher you could ever meet (I think we are going to see some Gallego music and dancing this weekend), Veronica, the pre-k teacher who is so funny and awesome and helped me figure out my phone situation (there are 4 companies and the pay as you go deals are quite confusing, even when I understood them in English), Sonia, the voice teacher who is a professional ¨cantante¨(singer) and literally has one of the prettiest voices I have ever heard. Then there is the kind, older 4th grade teacher who reminds me of a cross between Gandalf and Sean Connery- He picked me up as I was walking to class today, and while my spanish is still quite rusty, I managed to carry on a very choppy conversation with him.

The students have all been very excited to have an American teacher, and very shy at first. They are all incredibly sweet, and although it might be the novelty of a new country speaking, I´m pretty sure American kids are not this nice. A girl named Patricia (pronouced Pa-tree-see-a) even gave me a butterfly sillyband today! I was quite honored. Good thing I brought Dora the explorer sillybandz with me:)

I´m still taking everything in, seeing how Fran the English teacher does things, and getting to know the students, and then I´ll begin planning activities. I´ve talked to Fran about doing a presentation on North Carolina, but my ultimate goal is to teach dance classes for the children. I´d like to do a DancePlay class for the younger ones, like I taught in Raleigh, focusing on creativity and body awareness and a more classical dance class with the older children (although older boys would probably rather attend a 3 hour english class than go to this:) I´m also looking for a dance studio in Boiro- I miss it so much! Until then, I´ll continue to do ballet and modern in my living room to Shakira and Ben Folds.

Last night, after running into Veronica and her little son at the Beach, doing some drawings, and getting lost for an hour, I decided to treat myself to a rare meal out. I went to a local cafe Nao and asked for a typical Galician meal. I was served Langostinos (which technically means little crab butwas more like shrimp), salad of iceberg lettuce and tomatoes (iceberg is big here), bread, guacamole and a glass of Galician red wine- Mencia. It was all very good, but I have to say the bread was my favorite part. As far as the weather goes, Boiro has been surprisingly hot. I come prepared for rain 80% of the time and fall weather, and it´s been completely sunny and in the 80´s. Hey, I´m not complaining. Just an excuse to buy some cute spanish clothes and espadrilles (for any males reading this, those are platformed shoes that usually have a hemp bottom and maaterial to wrap around the ankle)!

So much to say, but I´ll stop there for now. Abrazos amigos!