This week, I’ve been filling in here and there for volunteers who normally provide literacy workshops. On Monday, while working 1-on-1 with a student, one of the school teachers asked if I could teach the women instead because their instructor didn’t show up. Of course, I agreed even though I had no clue what to do. On the fly, I hurriedly wrote two and three letter words on a piece of paper and asked the women if they could read them. Since they’re all at different levels, some women could and others could not. I paired them so the women who knew more could help the women who knew less, and then I went around to help each student individually practice reading at their level. That was soooo hard! My small classroom only housed 6 women, but it was more work than I expected. At one point, Angelina- the woman who knows the most- walked out “to run an errand” and never returned. I felt like the worst teacher ever!
Then, on Wednesday, I helped with the little ones who are probably between 4-8 years old. We had a full class that day, and I was asked to make crafts using toilet paper rolls with the youngest students. I cut the rolls into “trees” and the students were supposed to paint them and glue paper leaves on top. It did not go well. The students fought over the water colors, they painted their hands and arms instead of their crafts, and I couldn’t cut leaves fast enough for all of them to glue. Again, worst teacher ever.
I am not sweating the small stuff, and I’m learning as I go… but man, teaching is hard!
Shout-out all the amazing teachers who are patient, creative and engaging. You are all angels.
Trails And Travels 