Beautiful.

            Ooooh yesterday was H-O-T-T. I felt it coming on at 6:45 am as I was walking downstairs to meet our ride to school. By the time the first bell rang I had a constant stream of sweat dripping down my face, neck and back. No AC, no natural AC (PE winds), just still, muggy air and 60 children who don’t know even the social importance of good hygiene. The farts commenced around 8:30. And I’m telling you I sprayed down that room with Oust air freshener like it was my job. Faces cringed as the chemicals hit their tongues. Sorry. That’s what you get for not excusing yourself to release wind.

            Luckily, Ms. Joseph was feeling about as menopausal as I was so P.E. (the class) was canceled in favor of math. We were not taking any funny business today—and the heat seemed to take it out of the students too. The room was very quiet as we got into teaching how to halve and double numbers. Though it took a while, some of the students began to catch on. As I looked around the room I noticed Vuyeka staring blankly at her fingernails while the rest of the class was attempting the exercise. She doesn’t speak English so I knew she wasn’t paying any mind to the lesson. After copying work from the board, the students began their routine of coming up to us so we could check their work. Vuyeka brought hers up with everything copied exactly as it was written on the board. She did not, however, answer any of the problems she was supposed to complete. Mrs. Joseph and I sent her back to her desk on three separate occasions telling her she must answer the questions for credit. And each time she returned, showing us the same work as she had the time before. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I kept her at my desk in the back of the room and attempted to explain the concepts to her, turning away any other students who wanted me to check their work.

            Vuyeka is a character. She is jolly and dramatic and wants to act and entertain any chance she gets. I knew she loved pizza so I used that as an example to explain halves. I drew two stick people on the page; pointing to one, then pointing to her, pointing to the other and then to myself. Hand gestures are key in this classroom. I drew a pizza with 6 slices. I said, “Mmmm, I’m hungry! Are you hungry?” patting my belly so she would catch on. I told her I was going to have a slice and drew a line from one piece to my stick figure. I imitated the act of eating the pizza and told her how good it was by smiling and patting my belly. I passed the pencil to her and told her it was her turn. She understood what step was supposed to come next, mimicking my actions and looking soooo excited to be eating such yummy pizza. I hoped that this would stick, but today I found myself missing break so that I could review the same concept with her using bottlecaps instead of drawing circles for pizzas. The one thing she did remember was how she was supposed to act when she ate a slice. At least I know if she doesn’t make it as a mathematician she will definitely have a future in entertainment.

            As a part of the 25^th Anniversary fund, Sapphire hosted a breakfast for past sponsors of the school. Coca-Cola has been a loyal supporter of Sapphire for many years and I got to experience Coke Day! This was way cooler than I can explain on paper. The kids patiently waited in line for their lime green Sparlita Cream Soda and excitedly ran away with their ice-cold soda. “THANK YOU COCA-COLA!!!” could be heard all over the schoolyard. Brought a tear to my eye seeing how happy this made them. It’s the little things…

Most of these kids truly enjoy being at school. Where home is oftentimes a place of instability and stress, school provides them with a sense of order and security in a controlled social setting. Sure, they don’t like to copy notes from the board, and of course they get hyper and distracted at the drop of a pin, but don’t we all? I want to allow them the opportunity to retain ownership of this environment—to have a place that they can truly call their own. Cara (the other student teacher from Ole Miss; i.e. “the other one” –the other what, you say? The other teacher? Ohhhh, the other white girl that everyone calls my sister. It’s quite funny, especially when you call them out, they get so silly and embarrassed and quietly say, “yes, teach-ah. With the clear hair.”) and I have started an informal clean-up campaign. The school grounds are strewn with trash, and each day we make an effort to clue the students into the fact that the trash does not belong on the ground. After less than a week of badgering them to pick up litter our efforts have shown some success! Today I noticed three of the troublemaking boys were not in class, so I went outside to call for them. “AYAKHA!!!”, I screamed in a stern teacher tone down toward the boys bathroom. Figures came running up to my left and I looked down to find all three boys frantically picking up trash and putting it in a black bag as big as they were. How can you get mad at that? I can’t wait to continue and expand this project to include much more than just picking up trash. Bradley mentioned taking a before and after shot of areas we get the kids to clean up so that they can actually see and appreciate the difference they have made. Before shot: Check.

            Active engagement is the best way I can think of to capture the attention of the students. I want them to DO. Nearly three weeks ago I asked the students to bring in a stick shaped like a slingshot stick, bottle caps and soft wire so we could create and paint noisemakers. Fail. “I don’t have a tree, teach-ah” was the most common response to why they did not bring in their materials. Not to worry, I know with enough time and reinforcement they will pull through, and I honestly cannot wait to paint some sticks. I want to promote learning through art! We will be painting rocks soon, which will line our plot in the clinic garden and (hopefully) will depict elements of health and nutrition that will be covered in their Life Skills section. Murals and mosaics made out of recycled glass, jewelry made out of twigs and seeds, a garden they can watch come to life so they can say, “I did that!”. Anything to give them a connection to the place that is their portal to success.

            Can’t wait for the rest of the week. We will start tilling the land by Friday. Meanwhile, I have a math lesson and a poetry lesson to plan. Where is Dr. Seuss when you need him? He’s not as famous down here but I’ll change that. “And it feels like his new life can start—And it feels like heaven.” Thank you, Noah and the Whale for my Leap Day theme song. Loving life. FILSA.