Visit to the Minister's Representative's Office

SPRC

April 11, 2011

I spent my day at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Public School for the equivalent of our grades first through eighth. When we first arrived, we were reminded that today was the day that the eighth graders (Standard VI) had gone to the high school to take the first part of the PES which is the equivalent of our EOG/EOC's. In the cantina, I had a very healthy and delicious smoothie!!! There are approximately 800 students at the school with an average class size of approximately 29. The concrete soccer field is an important gathering place for the children. It is also important for the community as we will be attending a parents vs. the teachers soccer game on Friday evening of this week. In the Infant I and Infant II classes (our 1st and 2nd graders) I was immediately amazed at the fact that almost all of these children are TRILINGUAL. I was next drawn to the vendors who stand outside the fence and sell the children snacks. At the first bell, all 800 children line up outside of their classrooms in a male and female line. It was awe-inspiring. The children are so respectful of their teachers. They rise when a teacher enters the classroom. I am still figuring out the entire Minister of Education and also the Standards that are utilized in place of our grade-levels. The teachers' plan books are monitored by the minister's representative. The children, in addition to the core subject, take religion, Spanish, creative writing, and Health and Family Living. They all speak English which is truly unique for a Central American country. My biggest take away from today: no matter how different we or things may be--- we are all remarkably the same. Same successes, same challenges, same hopes, same fears..... The teachers and children at this school were amazing and displayed a tremendous work ethic. BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: More with less; quality not quantity. The San Pedro Roman Catholic School will be an excellent partnership school for CFE, JCE and JCMS.

This is my April 10th Reprisal: After realizing that I really was going to have to be away from Bob and the boys for two weeks, my day did begin to get much better when I landed in Atlanta and then again in Belize. Right now, I think because we are all so busy, it was just very hard to leave them. But I collected myself and reminded myself that I am doing the right thing and that I really will finish this degree and Belize is simply an added bonus. My taxi ride from the airport to the "express water taxi" was eventful and informative. The driver was born and raised in Belize and was an absolute delight. He exuded the work ethic and pride that I have witnessed in many of the natives we have met. As for the "express water taxi", what a most excellent adventure. My first thought was, "I am not getting on that boat." My second thought was...."then how do you presume to get to San Pedro?" We were going so fast and the water was so choppy that I banged my head on the window much to the fascination of the San Pedro folks on the boat with me. One older gentleman was nice enough to move up front and look out for me for rough waters. He would turn around and shout to me to "hold my head." Needless to say, everyone on the boat got quite a kick out of that. And then we pulled in to San Pedro... what a small slice of paradise. It reminds me a lot of a Central American Ocracoke Island. It very much has the village-feel but it is bigger than Ocracoke. I found my way to Pedro's Inn which reminds me a lot of the Trinity Center. (except we have Texas Hold' em every night at 7:00 pm). I immediately ventured over to the beach..... INCREDIBLE. When I returned to the inn, I met with some of the UNCW teaching interns and was immediately fascinated with our discussions about Integrated Science and public v. private school settings. I am more convinced as we all continue to move into our global initiatives and international undertakings that experience and cultural awareness are key!!!!!! They might be the biggest of our BIG ideas. Signing off via one of my favorite t-shirts.... "I Belize It."

April 10, 2011 Picture

April 10, 2011

Just typed up an elaborate account of yesterday, and lost it when the internet blinked. Will try again when I return from the schools today. What an enchanting country.

3 More Days

Fly out Sunday morning at 6 am. What a great opportunity!!! While I will certainly miss my family and Onslow Schools family, I know this is a great experience that will broaden my awareness. I am especially looking forward to working with the principals and meeting the teachers and students. I will be blogging each night I am in Belize and will try to attach pictures as I am able.