I'm Staying

Why: 56 reasons (see earlier posts)

 

This is the long-awaited response to the question: “Will you be in Panama next year?” Granted, people in this community tend to ask this question regularly and repeatedly since a month into school starting. Mentally, they’re calculating: How much will this teacher invest in this community? And unconsciously asking: How much should I invest in him/her? 

With this weekly barrage of questions, I began to contemplate my response long before our letters of intent were actually due. I began my planning early, saying I wanted to fulfill my 2 year contract for sure. And it would be a gift and privilege if I could stay at least 3 years to see my original class of 6^th graders through their 8^th grade graduation.

To be honest, my first year here was tough, wrought with transitions and learning experiences. I transitioned to living in a new country, working in a new school and living/teaching community and learned to juggle 4 classes with the role of being middle school coordinator with only 1 year of classroom teaching under my belt. It was one of those—world shaking, run it out, and pray each morning—sort of years. The kind of year you just want to step away from, just to breathe and get perspective.

Still, I had learned a valuable experience from my Honduras days and knew that these “breathers,” friend time, exercise and flute playing (a.k.a. stress relief), and not staying at school past 5pm everyday were essential to my well-being as a person and a teacher. So I readily went on the Pilliod family adventures in Lil Mule (their truck), joined others in cherished day trips to the beach, and went out for dinner with other teachers on weekend nights. I joined Jimmy’s intense workout class after school (at least when I didn’t have parent-coordinator meetings), and I regularly scheduled coffee dates with good friends to contemplate, discuss and help me sort out life decisions.

A huge shift happened my first year during second semester as God miraculously provided a car and reminded me that He is truly in charge of all of the details! Additionally, one of the other teachers graciously agreed to take over my 7^th grade Earth Science class, which lightened my workload considerably and gave me the chance to focus on teaching social studies, which has become my passion.

Around January 2013, I committed to being more intentional with my time, and God laid it on my heart to make the theme of “digging deeper” a reality in the CCA middle school. I started “Roots,” a Monday lunchtime bible study only open to middle schoolers. I provided free dessert as an incentive and left the results up to God.

Five students showed up that first Monday, and we started reading through the gospels together, examining how Jesus lived. God knew I needed that encouragement, and this Roots study group, along with joining Danae in teaching the K5 Sunday school class at church became highlights of the week for me.

Near the end of the 4^th quarter, I started attending the church youth group, called Crossfire. All Esther could do was rave about the students, and she was dead on. I was even more encouraged by seeing those faithful MS and HSers “giving up” their Wednesday nights to worship God. That spiritual devotion is what I prayed for multiple times while walking the middle school hallways during planning periods, and, here at Crossfire, I was seeing just a glimpse of this transformation in students lives. So cool! Not only that, but the worship and sermon were like that refreshing drink in the desert that I had been longing for my first year—a chance to be poured into as well as pour out.

During the farewell night planned to thank their youth pastor, TJ, for his work in Crossfire (but really to glorify God for His work in Panama), I heard student after student share about how God had used Crossfire and the leaders to mold their hearts and teach them more about Christ and living for Him. As we took a tearful group shot, I resolved that I wanted to “be there” for these students. I wanted to be a part of this amazing discipleship process and watch them become mature Christians. Becoming a small group leader in Crossfire was the next step.

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  Year two has been a year of blessing:

1) I stepped down from the coordinator role, and now just teach which I absolutely love. I may have my Masters and the look of authority (or maybe just a big mouth), but I’ve had my taste of administration and I’ll say give me a classroom any day!

Providentially, the P.E. teacher/coach took on this role, which has been an incredible blessing to both of us. He, not only has many years of teaching, has developed a solid repertoire with the students and parents, and has been at the school 5+ years, but also he is in the last year of his administrative credential program. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

2) The car, fondly nicknamed “U-ey”

I’ve had the chance to explore the city and several provinces of Panama, as well as bless many people who’ve needed rides. I’m thankful for other teachers who help me navigate the unexpected one-way streets and help us somehow arrive at our destination. Every time I put the key in the ignition of the car, I remember how God provides exactly what we need when we need it. He knows what’s ahead and what I can handle, so I can trust Him.

3) I teach 5 classes this year, but it’s still less work than last year. So I find I have MORE time to spare. This had led to several chances to invest in the community here as well as “be there” for the students/families of the school:

-church orchestra

-teaching K5 Sunday school

-taking each of my small group girls to coffee

-Jimmy’s workout session every T and Th and running with friends

-hosting friends and visitors and playing “tour guide”

-my family getting to visit over Christmas!

-leading small groups for Crossfire youth group, Roots--the lunchtime bible study continues (there are 15+ students now!), and a chapel small group (based on the book: The Me I Want to Be, by John Ortberg)

-babysitting for neighbors

-going on more day trip and weekend adventures

-more time to relax, share laughable moments, and be present with people

Currently, I’m mentoring a student teacher in my 6^th-7^th English classes, so that’s been a refreshing change as well as an interesting shift in perspective. (Almost like free professional development. J)

Beyond my 3^rd year, I do not know how long I will “be here” in Panama, at CCA, but I do know that I want my time to count. I want my relationships to be meaningful, and the students to know deep down that I care. I want to continue to discover adventure and learn some more Spanish along the way. I want to learn more about God, His hand in History and in our lives, and I hope that, in seeing this bigger picture, both my students and I will leave changed.

In the words of one of my heroines, Henrietta Mears, “I know not the way He leads me, but well do I know my Guide.”

I would love your prayers!!

Prayer requests for the end of the year/next year. We only have 9 weeks of school left in the quarter!:

·      Two teachers here and close friends of mine, Mami and Danae, are going to serve in Guinea, West Africa, teaching missionary kids so the parents can translate the Bible and share the gospel with an unreached people group. There have been many obstacles in their way. One being the crazy Ebola virus that is spreading throughout Guinea and two being support raising. If you are at all compelled to give support to God’s work in reaching the Johango people of Guinea, click the link here. Select designated fund and in the notes write: "Mami Hashizaki and Danae Gillespie."

• The new teachers who are coming (all the preparations that come with making the transition) and the ones who are leaving
• The 5^th graders who are moving up to middle school in the fall
• Discernment in how to be intentional and “there” for people in this community next year
• Safety in driving/navigating the city and that U-ey holds out for the rest of the time I’m supposed to be in Panama
• Mas oportunidades para practicar y aprender el espanol

How can I be praying for you? Send me a message via facebook or email: ldiaz@ccapanama.org

God bless,

Laura

My 6th Graders

13 girls, 5 boys

This class sure is a unique bunch!

Often on the “quieter” side (at least in terms of Middle Schoolers), this group is industrious and focused, yet comes alive when given the opportunity to incorporate drama, dance or music into the lessons. J

I have these 18 students for Homeroom, English and Geography classes, and each class they bring an enthusiasm and joy to learning which makes it so exciting to teach them. I even get to come into their Music class on Thursdays and help them with singing/choreography parts for the Middle School Musical! This is one of my favorite parts of the week!

 

We share jokes and funny geography puns, as well as scripture and worship songs and stories about how God has worked in our lives.

When I look at these precious ones, I think back to about four weeks into school, when I was planning a chapel that involved sharing student testimonies. To survey who would be willing to share, I used the question: ”Describe one time in your life when you saw God work,” as a journal prompt. I wasn’t sure what response I would get, but, after, I gave the prompt, I noticed most students did not have to sit there for long, before furiously writing their thoughts and stories down in their notebooks.

What followed was a time of sharing openly and honestly about the powerful ways that God had worked in each of these student’s lives. One girl shared about the power of prayer; how a few years ago, her parents had been fighting and she was worried. She locked herself in her bedroom and prayed for 2 hours straight. Her prayers were answered! Her parents started seeing a Christian counselor and are still together to this day.

One boy shared about God’s protection of his dad as he was in the army; what he described was nothing short of a miracle. As I listened, I just stood there open–mouthed, in awe of the amazing ways God is intimately involved in our lives and how He loves and cares for each of us. Multiple students shared about how God saved their lives from injury or sickness or even death. Some shared how God had taught them to love other people and how He had restored friendships or brought them friends when they had moved to another country.

Mixed up Monday: Spirit Week

As it turns out, we didn’t have our typical “English class” that Wednesday (it was a shortened period anyway), and we were all giddy with “God bumps” (ie: what I call it when you physically feel the Holy Spirit’s presence) as we left for chapel. One boy shared a very personal story about his mom’s death after battling with cancer, which brought us all to tears. Let’s just say I gave out a lot of hugs after that class. I was so grateful and privileged to see a glimpse of their hearts.

This 6^th grade class is also extremely resourceful. For instance, when we had a Family Fun Fair during November, the 6^th graders are the ones who were in charge of the booth project from beginning to end. They picked the booth idea (“winter wonderland”—ie: throwing fake snow), organized who would cover the stations, delegated the responsibilities involved, found a way to ship fake snow powder to Panama for a cheap price, and stayed after school to make the “snow.” It was amazing to watch these 10-11 year olds work together to make something grand happen. The elementary kids LOVED our booth, and it brought joy to everybody at the fair: Snow in Panama!

The 6th graders' Holes Object Study Projects

This semester, I have challenged the 6^th graders to come up with a way that WE as a class can practically help with a problem that is happening in Africa today. As a geography class, they have been studying different regions around the world, and, with each unit, they pick a country and complete a country project. The project usually incorporates some examination of a current issue in that country and practical ways that the country could solve it. Now, I’ve pushed them a step further in our study of Africa and asked THEM to come up with ways that WE can help. We have to wait until after the walk-a-thon fundraising to start planning our action plan, so right now we are brainstorming and praying about how God wants us to get involved.

I am looking forward to hearing their ideas!

I know that God will use their united gifts and talents in incredible ways this year and in the future!

7th graders

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This group has been through a few shifts with students coming and going, and it’s hard to “replace” the sadness of goodbyes with the excitement of a new face. But my prayer is that each one of the students that have passed through my door knows that they are valued, loved, and a crucial part of our classroom family.

I first met this class when they were wee 2^nd graders in Miss Abby Spencer’s classroom. They had the amazing privilege of having Ms. Spencer for K5, 2^nd grade, and 4^th grade! How was I to follow such an incredible teacher?

Sure enough, my first few weeks with them in 6^th grade, students commented, “that’s not how my old teacher did it.” I knew it would take some adjusting on both our parts, and I’m thankful they gave me a lot of grace my first year teaching middle school. This group was delightful and sweet, participating and following my expectations to the “t,” and because of this, we were able to take a fun field trip to see an Ancient Egypt exhibit and even have two Museum exhibit nights of our own.

I am always flabbergasted by the creativity, resourcefulness, and talent of the now 7^th graders; they just impress my socks off every time they go to present a project. This year, having some idea of these abilities, I gave the 7^th graders more creative liberty when it came to their English book report project. I was amazed by the results:

One 7^th grader sewed costumes for the actors in his group, and they collaborated to write a script in frame-by-frame detail for their book trailer.

Two girls rewrote a song with lyrics to be about the book we read and they sang it as a live duet in class. We were all mesmerized and applauded loudly when they finished.

Another 7^th grader wrote and memorized a monologue from the perspective of one of the character’s and performed it dramatically in class.

Not only is this group incredibly talented in drama and music, but also they bring critical thinking to the table. Since it’s their 2^nd year technically of world history, we’ve been able to go much deeper into the content and expand the amount of time we’ve spent on certain topics. We recently did a Reader’s Theater about the French Revolution, and I challenged them to think of alternative ways the King could have reacted to the peasants’ protests. The students’ suggestions were not only much more thorough than a simple, “give them bread,” answer, but they also connected what happened in the past to current issues/events in the world today.

These 7^th graders excel in making Biblical connections, which always makes me proud, since the majority of them attend the Roots Bible studies on Mondays. I love being there to field their questions about faith and the validity of the Scriptures and how they apply to our lives. In order to understand World History, you have to understand the World Religions, and it’s been a privilege to walk these 7^th graders through understanding other systems of belief in comparison with Christianity, and, in the end, why it all comes down to Jesus’ work on the cross.

My prayer is that the 7^th graders grow in their walk with God and that through this year of world history, God is preparing to send them out to be bold witnesses for Him in Panama and around the world.

I can’t wait to have them again as 8^th graders next year!

Throwback Thursday this year! (by decades)