I would like to inform everyone that my tooth extraction went well. I actually felt no pain and at one point I even began to think that everyone who frightened me with their stories were exaggerating or couldn't handle pain very well. I felt like this for about two hours before the anesthesia began to wear off. When that pain started kicking in, I was walking back and forth in my room waiting for the pain killers to kick in because I couldn't figure out if I wanted to cry or lay in bed for the pain to go away. But that was the most pain I felt. I don't do well with pain so as soon I started to feel the slightest pain I took a pain killer. I mean I bought pain killers just incase so why "take the pain" if I really don't have to? My cheek was swollen for a few days but nothing major; it was a successful extraction!
So, because of my extraction I missed the first week of school and started working the second week on Tuesday (Monday was MLK). My new schedule goes like this: 8:10 a.m.-10:55 a.m. I tutor a student named Robin in Ms. Morales' 4th grade Bilingual class in English, Math and Science. At 10:55 a.m. I supervise the playground for First, Second, and Third grade students till 11:45 a.m. I take my lunch with Ashley at 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The last two periods I have open for substitutions if necessary but if I am not substituting then I go back and help Robin with Religion and Spanish. Needless to say, I am busy, busy, busy and I love it!
Why Robin you ask? Well in S Mary Ruth's words "Robin (and her sister) is a special case." Robin and her family came from Holland last summer. Robin's first language is Dutch and was learning some English in Holland. Her family moved here on business related terms. From what I know, her parents were not planning on staying for more than a year but that might change because they liked Puerto Rico. Robin had a difficult time last semester because she didn't understand English very well and two of her classes were entirely in Spanish (Religion and Spanish) and her teachers didn't know enough English to translate everything for her. So this semester I am working side by side with Robin till the beginning of April. Personally, I think her English is great for the most part, Spanish well, let me ask this: Can you learn a new language when it's taught in that language? If you are like most people I would say no. So Spanish is a bit difficult for her. I've sat next to her for a few classes and I even don't know what she is learning in Spanish so I'm learning too, then teaching her. These past two weeks have been so fulfilling I cannot explain the joy I feel. I told her from the beginning that I am here to help her with her work so eventually she does all the work on her own. In the beginning of April I will start substituting full-time for an Art teacher that is going on maternity leave. So far, Robin has had an oral presentation for English and a pop-quiz on multiplication and got a 90%. I am so proud of her and am looking forward to see her improve.
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