My second week in Mexico has definitley been different--from following a routine to getting used to working with the second grade.
It is an interesting feeling working in a foreign country because with the small amount of international travel and living I have experienced, it never ceases to amaze me how hard it is to balance the feelings of responsibility and vacation. We are here in Mexico to learn and to do our student teaching in such an exciting environment, yet when you walk home from the bus it is hard to not look around and stop to enjoy the moment of living in a different country.
The time here is flying by, yet it is taking time for me to get used to working at the elementary level. Having come from an inner city high school, it is so different working with students who have everything and anything that they need and want, not to mention the differences in maturity levels and cultural norms. Recently, a widespread topic at the American School has been how "chatty" the students here are. It is the truth. And, it is interesting to see that it is a school wide issue, not just a classroom issue. These conversations are definitley a huge help to me in terms of working with my own patience and classroom management techniques to find that happy balance in the classroom.
The students here are teaching me more than I ever could have imagined, not only from being in front of them, but also with my Spanish! Everyday students teach me new words, and I will never get tired of the question "Miss Sara, how to you say __________ in English?" simply because it is a challenge to me as well as a challenge to them.
After a long week at the American School, Elyse and I are heading to Lake Chapala this weekend. It is a local lake that is filled with upscale Mexican homes and American retiree homes. It will be nice to get away from the busy city for the weekend and just relax. Soon enough, it will be Monday again, and time to start the week over!