School!

I apologize I have never been good with keeping up with my blog!

Just to give you a little bit here are my reflections I did on my first two weeks of school. Also I love to put pictures in my blog but I have been having a hard time keeping up with just getting my pictures on facebook, so check out my pictures there.

Also good news I got my interview date for Hall County a few days after I get back.... bring it on!!

Me Jessyca and Zack with a view of Auckland in the background

Week 1

School:

The schools are very different from the States as far as the environment of the school. I really like the open-air classrooms, with tons of windows, and a lot of the older part of the school has high ceilings and high windows. The principal and staff have been very inviting. The principal has gone out of his way to help us to learn about the school system and curriculum here. One afternoon he spend an hour and a half just talking with us and allowing us to ask questions about New Zealand, the curriculum, and school system. I like the idea of having the morning tea and letting the kids play outside all at the same time. This school does a great job of allowing the students to have leadership roles, in the school and in the classroom. They have their own responsibilities in the classroom such as rubbish, dishes in the teacher’s lounge, library manager etc. The years of schools are very different. They also mix grade levels together which is cool.  Also I love the fact that the kids don’t have to wear shoes around the school. I feel like it allows the children to be children. School uniforms is another thing I like that they have here. I think it helps the children not to see class, but to see each other as equal.  I like the amount of time that the children are outside. I like the fact that they eat lunch outside and have an hour of lunch and recess. I think it helps the students to be able to come back in and focus on their lessons after they have activated their brains through play.

Activities that are different here are swimming lessons, cooking class and a gardening time. All of their what we would consider specials in the states such as art, music, and computers, are incorporated into the school day. Swimming lessons was fun to watch. The teacher conducts the swimming classes, and are responsible for grading the students on their different strokes and teaching stroke techniques. 

They have a garden that is tended by the children. And they also have a kitchen in which parent volunteers help run a cooking class. The children take turns tending their box of garden veggies and fruits and then they use the harvest of their garden to cook meals. Another thing is that children are often pulled out of class for extra curricular activities such as guitar lesson, swimming lesson etc.

Day One:

We had a tour around the school from the principal. He was very welcoming and very hospitable. Then I was taken to a year 3, and 4 classroom. I observed math lesson that was scaffold really well.  Then I observed a 5 and 6-year swimming lesson, and then time in the library. It was interesting how they don’t have a librarian the students are responsible for checking in and out their peer’s books. I like how the students were leaders in that capacity.

Day two:  

I got to see literacy in the morning with year 5 and 6, which is like fourth grade in the States. It was interesting to see how much freedom the children had. The literacy lesson was short, then the students went and worked on work individually while the teacher conferenced with students. One thing I didn’t like was that the teacher wasn’t monitoring the students; she was just from her desk. Some of the students were not on task, but most of them were doing really well.

Next I saw an awesome math lesson. It was a lesson that was just the higher learning students. The teacher did an excellent job allowing the students to be responsible for their learning. He allowed then to pick working on sheet alone, a harder worksheet or work with the teacher.

Day three:

I got a chance to see younger grades today. I got to see two different classrooms today. I got to see year 2, which is six year olds. Arts are integrated so I saw children sing songs today, and got to see a student led show and tell.

I liked how the teacher let the students lead the show and tell experience. I didn’t really agree with her classroom management or maybe she was having a bad day. She was yelling at the students for just being kids. They are six and aren’t going to obey your every move. She is used to working with older kids.

I also would have love to see more monitoring the room a little bit better during center time. There were a handful of kids who were doing the opposite of what they were told to do.

The second teacher I had a great reading system set up.  The students had four rotations of centers. I really liked the centers she had. The centers were self-managing and the students had already been trained on how and where to go and sit.

Week 2

Last Friday:

We went and visited Gulf Harbor School. The school was year 1-8. The principal was very inviting and the school was a masterpiece.  It was gorgeous and super ritzy. I liked how he had the students separated not by grade. I feel it created students leadership.  The classrooms are amazingly colorful and decorated with student work. The teachers are fun and engaging with the children. The principal has been experimenting with different types of furniture and different heights. I really like the creatively designed classrooms.  Each younger classroom seems to have a theme like the island and the forest! They are so stimulating for kids and have different resources to explore that you wouldn’t normally see in a classroom, such as a tree in the middle of the classroom.

The environment of the school is just so vibrant. You can tell just by interactions at lunchtime that this school is created around fun! The day we were there the students had a netball and soccer tournament against the students. One of their values at school is fun. I loved walking into the school and wished I was a student there. I want school to be so fun that my students are disappointed when the weekend comes because they love school so much.

At recess during the game even the principal was in the game, barefoot and all. There was music blasting and children controlling the music and they had a great big dance party. During recess I started to see the passion that the teachers had for students. These teachers they choose to be here (because NZ schools can pick their own staff) and it shows in how they love on their students and its not just another job. You can tell the teachers love being at that school.

The schools values are fun, bravery, resilience and responsibility. I love their approach to education and at life.

I am hoping I can take that and apply that into my classroom, especially the fun and responsibility. I would love it if my principal would change all the classrooms so that it will be easier to support student leadership.

Week Two Parkside School

Well first day was orientation and we talked with Len about our school system and interests in the education area since we all have our own area of education.

He went and gave us a tour of base.  We also got a tour of the high school, which was good. We introduced ourselves and talked with the high school students.  We also toured the intermediate school with Craig after lunch.

Then we got to observe the intermediate school. Jessyca and I went to the library with some of the students. We got to interact with all the students and see how they are out in the community and how they interact with other people. Then we went and observed another class just a few minutes before the end of the school day.

On Tuesday we went to a seminar. We thought it was going to be something amazing, but it wasn’t as good as we hoped. These were the few notes I got from the presentation.

 Notes on presentation:

In England no university training for Sped teachers

England teacher in six months – fast tracking teachers WOAH

Easiest way is to look at it online (website)

Study Planner what you want to get to (tool)

http://www.education.gov.uk/complexneeds/ was the website she showed us.

I was kind of disappointed in the presentation. She basically used showed us the website. I feel like after 10 minutes of showing us how it works she could of let you explore, but we could only have very few laptops so I was only able to explore for a few minutes. It wasn’t what I had hoped and expected.

            On Wednesday we went to Base Parkside. I was a little uncomfortable at first, but we were in a room where the students couldn’t really walk or talk. I felt ok in that classroom because they were mobile, but I don’t think that is the place for me. Also the other classes where the students were severely autistic weren’t really for me either. The one classroom I really didn’t feel that comfortable in was where the students were nonverbal and could walk around, but I was also the most intrigued by that class. I didn’t really get in and help I did a lot of observing. But I liked that different tools and things they used to keep students engaged. I had never been in a severe and profound class before. It was a good experience just to see those students learning in their own ways.

Thursday was probably my favorite day. We got to do hippo therapy and help teach swimming lessons. When we walked in the door I was greeted with a big hug. Then all day long the sweet boy wanted me to be with him. I walked beside him in hippo therapy; he was sweet and silly. He was very good at riding horses, and swimming and was very verbal and loved to sing. He liked Maori songs. The teachers were excellent in handling the kids (although I was told the rowdiest one wasn’t there). I was very impressed. This one boy was very good at mechanical type things and after lunch me and Jessyca and him made a kite from an old umbrella. Although it didn’t really fly, it was good at gliding.

Friday we had a debriefing time with Craig about our experience.  We also got to talk to the ESOL teacher which was good, but it would have been better to see her working her magic. But she showed us some cool stuff they do which is very similar to the States. We also visited and enrichment class for Maori. I was expected a little bit more. She talked with one student in Maori, and counted once in Maori, but that was about all we saw in the hour and a half. It was quite different from the immersion class that we have in the States. Today there wasn’t really anything that made me say wow.

Over all it was a good week. Thursday was probably my favorite and those kids are more like the kids we would see in the general education classes, and the kids that we are certified to work with. I have learned and seen a lot that I want to being back. I learned the most probably just form the day visit at Gulf Harbor, but it has all been good.

First Few Days

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I have landed!

After a five hour flight to LA then a three-hour layover followed by a twelve and a half our flight to NZ. I’ve finally made it. We left home around 4:30pm got to LAX at 9:30 GA time then left again at 1:00 GA time. Then after a twelve hour plan ride (thankfully I got about 6 or 7 hours of sleep) we arrived at 8:30am NZ time which is  about 2:30pm GA time.

Our flights went really well. We took Air New Zealand from LA to NZ and it was the longest, but best flight ever. The flight attendants walked up and down the aisles all night offering us water, they fed us dinner and breakfast. It was by FAR the best airline food I had Ever had! So good and they had tons of tv shows, movies and music, and games to watch and listen to in your own personal screen. So cool! Thankfully I got some sleep and was able to function.

After we landed we headed to another breakfast in a café close to the airport. We went from there to a place called One tree Hill. It was a summit you could see for miles! Then we ventured down to one of the harbors and saw all kinds of cool boats and downtown Auckland. Then we headed to Pukekohe and went to a school I’ll be going to next week. We had a traditional Maori welcome, which consists of traditional songs and greeting. (It was really awkward but cool at the same time)

After that we drove around the neighboring cities and saw what is NZ, then I got to meet my sweet host family. They have two precious girls and I have loved staying with them.

We had the best most delicious dinner lamb and vegetables! And got to drive around and see the different cites in Pukekohe and the surrounding cities, and got to see another lookout point where I could see Auckland. (Pukekohe and Auckland are a little more than an hour away).

I managed to stay up till about 10:00pm, which is about 4am home time and slept really well.

Things I like so far:

I have loved the homes here they remind me of the houses in Costa Rican and Mexico because they are open and airy and have lots of windows! Love it!

The kids all walk to school, which is really cool.

The weather here is fantastic! (currently in a tank top and shorts, beats the snowy weather I left at home)

Also still blows my mind that March 7^th for me didn’t exist because we are over the International Date Line.

I have to make sure I get on the left side of the car. Still getting use to riding on the other side of the road.

Today, Saturday we slept late I ate hot crossed bun for breakfast then we went to a black sand beach. It was beautiful! We got to drive around the beautiful country and stopped at a waterfall and I got to eat ice cream. I also had NZ hotdog and fish and chips for lunch. I have loved being with my host family they are super sweet!

Review of the Name:

Here is a section of of my first post when I first started my blog, just to give another rewind of the meaning behind the name. 

Nada que dar : Nothing to Give. The Lord has been teaching me lately about self righteousness and about the filthiness of sin. He has been revealing to me that when we do things of ourselves any righteous acts are like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

            Christ + nothing = everything When we out of our flesh begin to try and offer Christ our deeds it doesn’t work. There is nothing we can give or do to fulfill Christ. He’s self sustaining and all powerful. Christ + nothing = everything. Because of this I have come to this place of complete humbleness realizing that I am nothing, and Christ is everything. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches, If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” So this is where I come to the realization that not only can I do thing without Christ, I myself have “Nada que dar” Nothing to give. It is only when I am in Christ that my deeds go from selfish flesh to bringing glory to, and furthering His Kingdom, which is what I strive for.  Psalms 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail but You are my strength and my portion forever.”

Highs and Lows

Yesterday was a joyous day in house one. I had the day off until 5, which is always good, but we also celebrated a birthday and a little boy being adopted. It was a joyous day full of rest and celebration.

Right before the kids go to bed we get together and have a devotional, some times a Bible story, some times songs, but we always end in prayer. There are 2 or 3 kids chosen to pray. Last night we were praying and one little girl who is 4 was praying and at times the kids can’t remember my name and call me tia nueva (new aunt) (here all the ladies taking care of the kids are called aunts). And the boy whose birthday was yesterday said like a thousand times Meri Meri Meri (which is what they call me) until the little girl prayed for me. I had to keep myself from laughing it was so cute.

Today the kids all played outside with Casa 2 (which was my house last year) (Casa 2 had 2 boys leave and 3 more come since I was here last year, but there are 8 that I had last year) so this afternoon I got the chance to play with them. It’s been a little emotional because all I want to do is run and hug all of them and for them to play with me and call my name. But they were all so little none of them remember me. So I’m starting over with building relationships with them. (which is hard cause I’m already so attached)

The kids also had swimming lessons. They love going to the pool. I have been getting use to a different house with different kids and tias, but I love all my tias. And when I arrived I got a big welcoming hugs from all the tias that were here last year.

Over all it has been a little difficult emotionally for me because I feel like last year I got super attached and hence why I’m having a hard time with last years house. I wanted to guard myself and not get to close to my new kids. But since I was doing that I wasn’t really enjoying being here. So I started just to pray for the joy that can only come from the Lord. And he has given it to me. Just in the last 24 hours I have had so much fun with all the kids. And I’m loving all these kids.

On an exciting note, three of the newer kids in house one their parents come for visitation, which is a good thing. It means they may be able to go back with their parents soon! 

And I promise pictures are coming soon!

Hogar de Vida 2012

Today was very exciting and very emotional. Right now I’m typing with one hand and entertaining a baby with the other. I got here all safe and sound. Today has been exciting from the start. I got to see a couple at the airport whose wedding Isai and I went to last weekend. It was crazy cool! I am in Casa 1 this time last time I was in Casa 2. I went to go visit my kiddos in Casa 2 today. And I had to do everything to keep myself from scooping up all the kids and hugging them and kissing them.  But that would have freaked them out, since none of them remember me. It was very emotional and I had to keep myself from crying. It brought back so many memories. All of them have grown so much! I will have to post pictures. I also have a new house this year Casa 1. I have a tia that has her own daughter who is nine, and then we have 13 other kids. And from what I understand one should be adopted tomorrow, which is always exciting!!

Crazy Little Thing Called Life!

This past week has been crazy! It went by so fast. I finally feel like I’m in my place here. I’ve finally been given permission to put pictures on facebook so I have created a group. If you would like to see the facebook pictures please let me know and I will give you access. This week I’ve been focusing more on journaling and quiet time than on my blog. That is why I haven’t posted many blogs,  lol! The Lord has been speaking to me through His word. I had been struggling with being broken hearted for these kids. This past week the Lord has shown me that these kids are His and their future and what happens to them is not something I should be worried about.   Luke 20:25 says “And he said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” These kids are not mine. They are the Lord’s; they are not mine to worry about because they are in the Lord’s hands.  

Craziness this week = 1) another tia found a bat in our laundry, 2) one of the boys peed on my hand while I was giving him a bath, 3) we had a bat come in the house one night, 4) I found a frog the size of a small dog in our laundry area 5) We watched Rolie Polie Olie! In Spanish!! 6) I heard the twins praying outside “Gracias a Dios…” so cute!

On Sunday, I cooked all meals and prepared the snack ! It was a success.  We had eggs and toast for breakfast and for lunch we had pasta with chicken, onions, tomatoes, cucumber with rice and topped with Italian dressing. For dinner we had beans and French toast. Yum!! All but one of my kids loved the food. I think 9/10 is pretty good. And Ma loved lunch. (Lunch is the biggest meal of the day.)

I’m learning that Prayer truly is the greatest gift I can give these kids J.  Some of these kids have had a rough past, but this place, is a place of peace and rest, place of Joy and hope. This is a place of smiles, giggles and is full of hugs and kisses J I can’t wait to come back!

My week in Facebook statuses:

·         Monday: Psalms 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

“I trust You God with where I am, and believe that you will have Your way!”

·         Tuesday: “Had an awesome day exploring with the other tias in San Jose today. In the morning, it's back to this crazy thing I call life lol!”

·         Wednesday: “Trying to get 10 kids to sleep is no easy task, but I wouldn't wanna b anywhere else :)”

“Veronica found a bat in our laundry and killed it with a broom stick, and I found a frog the size of a small dog in the laundry area ....what a day!”

·         Thursday: “I finally took pictures of my beautiful kids :)”

·         Friday: "To know You, is to want to know You more!"

·         Saturday: “One thing I've learned in my second month here is Costa Rica is I'm am expert and adding and subtracting any numbers that = 10. I ♥ my kiddos!”

·         Sunday: “Two meals down one to go! Ma loved lunch and I'd say 9/10 for breakfast and 9/10 for lunch is pretty good. And both the twins had three bowls of lunch. Sweet success!”

Pictures of My Kiddos

I haven't posted in a while I've been working on emailing pictures of my adorable kids. So if you'd like to see them let me know. :) I'll send them your way.