Casa Verde

On Wednesday, I took the IST bus home from school with the other teachers. How fun! I think the bus ride next year will serve as a great time to debrief days and exchange funny stories from our classrooms.

The teachers live in groups of 3-6 teachers per house, and their homes are spread out between neighborhoods (colonias) 10-20 minutes from the school. Today, I got invited to spend the afternoon at my friend's house in Colonia Rio Grande.

We were dropped off at the corner of a dead-end street and climbed the steep hill to the teachers' mint-green colored house. No wonder it's called, "Casa Verde" (Green House). The street looked like typical colonias I had seen in Tegu. (maybe nicer): multicolored houses with gray/red roofs lined each side of the road, locked iron gates in front, and a few cars parked along the curb.

Casa Verde has two floors and is fairly spacious with each teacher getting their own room. Also, the house comes already furnished! I was able to talk a great deal with the teachers who lived there, and I'm grateful for their hospitality and for their willingness to let me take pictures of their "messy" rooms. ; )

The house also had: -washer, clothesline, a clean water dispenser, WiFi & cable TV, a pila (where emergency water is stored), and a beautiful view of the city from the rooftop.

A man comes down the street each week, yelling "Agua!", and the teachers buy clean water from him (otherwise you boil the water in order to use it). Another man rides around selling warm tortillas; the icecream man comes to your door, and a maid comes every Friday. I'm sure they get great business from the N. Americans.

My friend also led me on an amazing walking tour of the neighborhood. I did not carry any purse/valuables, and I felt pretty safe the whole time. It was encouraging to know that you can walk around the neighborhood safely, especially if you walk in a group. You just need to be aware and know where you're going. We walked down 3-4 blocks to the bridge over the main river, that although flooded just a week ago was quickly drying up.

We met the "Fruit Man," who sells the teachers discounted fruit from his cart. Because he has gotten to know them, he always makes sure they get the best deals. (tip #1: get to know the fruit guy)

We bought 3 huge mangos, 6 fresh bananas, and I even convinced my friend to purchase mamones (also known as ginnups-a strange, green fruit that you have to pop open to eat). We then walked over to the local pulperia (like a food convenience store) and bought orange juice and un medio Coca for the casa. I am thankful to see that the teachers share groceries, because it is sometimes a trek to get what you need.

Comunidad (Community)

Comparing classroom supply lists with experienced teachers, receiving valuable resources, and moving a few things into my own classroom made up the first part of the day on Wednesday. To be able to spend time with IST teachers and hear their personal stories of teaching and living in Honduras was an incredible gift. It was evident through our conversations that community would be an important part of my experience next year.

Whether sharing lesson ideas, cab rides to the grocery store, trips outside the country, or Bible Study potlucks, it was obvious that the teachers served as amazing encouragement in each others' lives. Having seen this, I look forward even more to being part of the IST community!

I also learned that there are multiple churches in Tegucigalpa that IST teachers can get involved in. Most services are in Spanish, although some churches offer an English translation or even a separate evening service in English. I really want to be immersed in as much Spanish as I can, while still being encouraged in the Word, so I may choose to go to two services or alternate weeks having the English translation. I also hope to connect with some Christian Honduran families, as establishing new relationships is the best part of living abroad. : )

View from IST

This is the view from the International School of Tegucigalpa (a city of 1.5 million people).
The rain is coming in!

3rd World Country

On the way to our hotel (whose owner is the brother-in-law of the school chaplain), we took back roads to avoid rush hour traffic, and I caught a very small glimpse of what a 3rd World country looks like.

Trucking up broken cobblestone, I peered down dirt streets with ramshackle homes, one-story with graffitied walls or broken roofs, dirt-smeared kids running to and fro, people hanging out on the side of curbs begging for change or "se vende tortillas." There was a different mood over this colonia, and my heart went out to the kids who can't afford a good education, who sniff glue because there is so much grief in their life (see Micah Project entry to come).

After seeing this, we switched back to a main freeway, and it was if the poor were not even there (although they still lingered in my mind); I pray that we as the Church will never forget/neglect those in poverty and truly be the hands and feet of Christ.

First Impressions

Tegucigalpa, Honduras is even more than I imagined!
-Gorgeous green rolling hills dotted with homes, even a Jesus statue greeting us with open arms as we flew in..
-Bienvenidos. The warm welcome was evident from the warm brazos (hugs) and smiles exchanged at the airport between the IST chaplain, guidance counselor, and kindergarten teacher (also a friend from Westmont).

Staring out the window wide-eyed, I tried to soak in the unfamiliar surroundings that will become my home next year. One-story houses with multicolored doors and neighborhood shops with large advertisements for the products inside lines the streets. Men sold Honduran soccer jerseys (they qualified for the World Cup!!) on the side of the road or lingered in doorways, while women and children carried groceries home for the day.

With only a few clouds in the sky and a cool breeze, it looked to be a fantastic day at 3500 feet.
The chaplain drove us straight to the school. Passing out of la colonias (the neighborhoods), we followed the nicely paved road up the hill.

IST is located on a plateau with warehouses and dry, rocky areas surrounding its base. The school has a green roof and a fence around it and looks imposing from a distance. I bit my lip--this is where I'm going to teach?

We pulled into the gravel parking lot and got out. I could see kids in the school's blue and white uniforms, and my heart leapt for joy. This was their school, our school.

The chaplain and counselor led the way, greeting everyone ("Hola!") as we passed. As we continued across the sloped campus, I noticed green all around me: palm trees, lush bushes, flowering trees, and lots of grassy areas. It looked more like a park, then a school--in fact, an oasis of sorts. The school buildings looked well-maintained, and benches had the name of the school mascot, "Tigers," inscribed into them.

The school is composed of 2 main buildings (elementary & middle/high school) and many smaller buildings which house: preK, K, computer lab, library, doctor's office, daycare center, teacher's lounges, cafeteria, snack shop, offices of everyone, and more classrooms.

I also noticed there were purified water dispensers in every hallway (so thankful), macaws and other colorful birds in the courtyard, and Prometheus (smart) boards in every classroom 4th-12th grade.

Meeting the teachers/staff was so encouraging, especially meeting the other 4th grade teacher who will be there next year. It was the last day of school, and teachers were clearing out their classrooms, which was perfect timing for me to meet all of them. Also, the principal was very approachable and supportive, even walking with us for much of the tour. This is truly a gift, because this week is crazy at IST with graduations, teachers' farewell party, etc.

After our grand tour, meeting anyone and everyone in the school, : ) the school chaplain treated my mom and I to a delicious lunch of gallo pintado (rice & beans), patacones (cooked plantains), pollo (chicken), tortillas, y Fanta naranja.

post continued in: 3rd World Country

Image Test

This is just a test my ability to upload pictures to the blog.

This is a picture from Harding Science Night 2010. My group and I did a simulation about phases of the Moon. The kids were so excited by the simulation and loved talking about what they saw inside our "Moon tent!"

School site

This is the site of the international school where I will be teaching 4th grade next year:

http://www.internationalschool.hn/index.html

Here is an overview of the school from the website:

International School is private Christian bilingual school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with a current enrollment of approximately 1100 students. IST was originally founded in 1981 as a nursery school. In June of 1991 IST graduated the first senior class. A culturally diverse body of approximately 110 full time teachers compromise the International School faculty. The student/faculty ratio is approximately 12.1

IST student body consists mostly of Honduran natives who have learned English as a second language. All students that graduate continue on to study in four year Universities. All core subjects in grades Pre-Kinder through 12 Grade are taught in English, by certified teachers. IST is staffed with approximately 130 employees, (teaching assistants - administrators). Teachers hold a bachelor's degree in education or a teaching license from a North American institution. In addition there are faculty and administration who hold a Master's/Doctors degree in education or business administration. Curriculum experts are brought in from Canada or USA annually to consult the material being taught.