As I continue to work with Robin I can see her enthusiasm towards school changing. She is now willing to participate in class, respond to questions and even go up and write on the chalk board. She had an English test and received a 90%, math test was 92%, and religion was 80%. She has improved a lot these past few weeks that I can't help but be proud of her and the self-confidence she has gained. She smiles more, talks more, and laughs more. We are busy from the time school starts till the time school is out but working together and with Alexandra (the student who sits in front of Robin) makes it very enjoyable. When I am not helping Robin, I help Mrs. Morales staple work and correct a quizzes for her students. Working closely with Mrs. Morales has been a pleasure and really enjoyable too because she likes to have fun with her students while teaching. I have also learned a few things about what its like to teach at Colegio San Benito. As I've said before, Mrs. Morales is a 4th grade bilingual teacher. An example would be that Mrs. morales constantly has to remind her students to respond in English because even though they can read and write it, they hardly speak it. There are a few students who speak in all English, a few who speak Spanglish (Spanish and English together) and many who just speak Spanish. She stresses to them how important it is to speak English specially because 1) they are in the Bilingual program, 2) they can practice their Spanish in Religion and Spanish class and 3) It is extremely important that they speak it. Thinking back to my Elementary experience I don't think my teachers ever had that problem even though most of my classmates knew both languages; it was pretty clear that English was what we had to speak in the classroom.
Now talking about fun on Friday, February 11th, Mrs. Morales had a pizza party with her students to celebrate Valentine's Day. The students danced, ate, and exchanged chocolates, baked goods, and cards. It was good to interact with the students outside the classroom setting. After spending an hour or so with them, I went over and stopped by Ashley's last Kinder class of the day, Mrs. Diaz's class. Mrs. Diaz's class was also celebrating Valentine's day and they had potato chips and cake! Who wouldn't want to spend a couple hours with 19 adorable kindergartners? They too shared their candy with me. It was so cute. After the party Ash and I were helping Mrs Diaz cleanup her classroom and I looked at Ashley and said, " I'm going to miss them." Before she could respond, Ashley's eyes turned red and watery so she just nodded back.
It is so hard to think about May now because it seems so close. I can't imagine saying good-bye just yet. I've always heard "Be careful what you wish for" because you might just get it. So get this: sometime last week I was looking at Robin as she wrote in her notebook thinking to myself how hard it was going to be to stop working with her in April because I love this girl now. I wondered if there would be an "easy" way for saying good-bye and sort of wished that I wouldn't cry about it. She caught me staring at her and was like, "Oh, Daisy I'm going back to the Netherlands for my birthday" (her birthday is Feb. 28). I immediately asked for how long and she told me that she did not know. I ask her if she could figure this out so I could get all her work together for when she came back. So the following day, her parents came into the class before school starts and her mom informs us (Mrs. Morales and I) that they were going back to the Netherlands this weekend... to move back to the Netherlands. Wow! That ball came out of left field! I was surprised because I couldn't process the information I had just received. So I guess I don't have to worry about saying good-bye to Robin in April because she is going to say good-bye to me on Friday. This is very depressing news (on one end) because she was beginning to do so well and I was getting to know her so much. On the other hand, she experienced a different culture, lived in a different place, and will go back to the place she talks about everyday. I'm excited for her but sad that she is leaving. I am working on a little "memory book" she asked me to help her with. She wants a picture of every classmate with some information so she can remember who they are/were when she is back in the Netherlands. I have 4 days to complete this and I'm excited because I know she will really appreciate it. So even though I'm sad, I'm also happy because I helped a dear young child, made a new friend, and will try to keep in touch with her through Skype.
