Final thoughts,
Looking back, I realize that my trip to South Africa had truly been full of many once in a life-time experiences.
One of the most memorable experiences . . . This is probably the hardest question. One of the most memorable moments of that weekend was how groups of the students would be willing to break out into song and dance for us, a group of visitors. Surely I didn't know everything about their home life or school histories but I did know that they had to overcome many challenges and obstacles in both arenas and here they were loving life and sharing that passion with strangers.
What did I get from the experience . . .
The underlining mission of our project was to share American viewpoints and values with South African students and then vice versa. Diane and I were able to take a survey of South African students’ values, begin a pen pal/epal exchange, identify commonalities with American students, and a photo essay.
This trip has been most valuable in terms of opening my mind to a different way of thinking, approaching life, and appreciating the fundamentals of education. I found myself constantly asking, "What do you really need to call it a school? a classroom? fully supplied? really working/progressing?" There was no consistent answer, but just by generating those thoughts I know that I will have different outlook when I step back into Hammarskjold and my classroom. How can I not? My new perspective has reinforced how important is it not to take for granted what we have and that mindset is what I hope to share with my students.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
experiences and observations from Amstelhof
Week of Service Learning:
The students at Amstelhof:
They loved having visitors in their classrooms! They were genuinely interested to find out about life in America. They asked about the cars, the schools, the clothes, the homes, etc.
Similar to our students here, each class had students willing to push the limits, students happy just reaching the limits, students there to socialize and tease others students, etc. However, in contrast to our students, these students were able keep the class going even if the teachers would walk out to run an errand or escort a visitor around the school. Even when the teacher left the room the students would continue with the started work. There was no fuss from either direction. That is just surprising.
Just imagine 25 teachers for 786 students! There were 2 administrators for the school, one principal and 1 deputy (our version of a vice-principal). The craziest thing was that there were no substitute teachers. So classes had to join together or the class without a teacher may have to divide up and join other classes.
The teachers at Amstelhof:
I was most impressed with how the teachers were willing to work as a family and also outside of their written obligations. The classes they taught had somewhere in the 30’s and sometimes in the 40’s number of learners per class.
There was a variety. Although I would say it paralleled what generally happens in our school. It seemed like the newer teachers were more willing to learn how to take advantage of the new technology (Internet usage for them and their students and creating an online blog) than the older teachers who had become comfortable with their ways.
Both teachers and students were curious to know how I felt and how Americans might feel about having a black president. They were certainly in support of seeing what would happen if Obama won the presidency.
Surprising comparison: Some public schools in Paarl practiced prayer within the classroom. At the beginning and end of the day students said the “Our Father” and alternated between English and Afrikans every other day. It was said as a class by everyone, even the Muslim kids in the class.
There was no heat within the school, similar to how most average homes did not have heat. It was hard to consider how much the kids had gotten used to already and what they accepted as just is. I wonder if these heating/cooling conditions are the same in all schools and how it would vary in a well privileged school.
If I could do it again I would request that I visit a predominantly white school and other more affluent schools in the area; simply so that I could draw more comparisons and get a more full picture of different expectations and backgrounds.
The students at Amstelhof:
They loved having visitors in their classrooms! They were genuinely interested to find out about life in America. They asked about the cars, the schools, the clothes, the homes, etc.
Similar to our students here, each class had students willing to push the limits, students happy just reaching the limits, students there to socialize and tease others students, etc. However, in contrast to our students, these students were able keep the class going even if the teachers would walk out to run an errand or escort a visitor around the school. Even when the teacher left the room the students would continue with the started work. There was no fuss from either direction. That is just surprising.
Just imagine 25 teachers for 786 students! There were 2 administrators for the school, one principal and 1 deputy (our version of a vice-principal). The craziest thing was that there were no substitute teachers. So classes had to join together or the class without a teacher may have to divide up and join other classes.
The teachers at Amstelhof:
I was most impressed with how the teachers were willing to work as a family and also outside of their written obligations. The classes they taught had somewhere in the 30’s and sometimes in the 40’s number of learners per class.
There was a variety. Although I would say it paralleled what generally happens in our school. It seemed like the newer teachers were more willing to learn how to take advantage of the new technology (Internet usage for them and their students and creating an online blog) than the older teachers who had become comfortable with their ways.
Both teachers and students were curious to know how I felt and how Americans might feel about having a black president. They were certainly in support of seeing what would happen if Obama won the presidency.
Surprising comparison: Some public schools in Paarl practiced prayer within the classroom. At the beginning and end of the day students said the “Our Father” and alternated between English and Afrikans every other day. It was said as a class by everyone, even the Muslim kids in the class.
There was no heat within the school, similar to how most average homes did not have heat. It was hard to consider how much the kids had gotten used to already and what they accepted as just is. I wonder if these heating/cooling conditions are the same in all schools and how it would vary in a well privileged school.
If I could do it again I would request that I visit a predominantly white school and other more affluent schools in the area; simply so that I could draw more comparisons and get a more full picture of different expectations and backgrounds.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, July 28th Service Learning – Amsteholf Primary School
Monday, July 28th Service Learning – Amsteholf Primary School
We are in Paarl, a beautiful mountainous valley. In a wine country!
Our group has been divided into 6 groups and I will be with Nina, Diane and Chris in Amstelhof Primary School.
The expectations and procedures for us seem quite unclear. As far as I can see we will travel to different teachers of different grade levels and go with the flow of what the classroom teachers ask of us.
Some Afrikans (although according to my phonetic spelling):
Tot since = good bye
Huja mora = good morning
Huja medach = good afternoon
Huja naught = good night
There would be a different dialect/ pronunciation between J’burg and Cape town.
The kids were great and so willing to be our teachers as well!
The curriculum was bilingual. Students/learners were instructed in both English and Afrikans (more heavy on the Afrikans!). The learners in most public schools in South Africa had the following subjects: EMS (Economics Service Management), Technology, Social Science, Home Language (Afrikans or English or both), Math, Bible study, Physics, Biology, Art and Culture.
Something I had a hard time understanding and agreeing with = I was very surprised how some principals were adamant about the learners being instructed in Afrikans. I wonder: how is that going to benefit them in the long run? What professions/fields are the kids being prepared for? Are they getting ready to communicate with the world community (keeping in mind that Afrikans is really only spoken in South Africa!)?
We are in Paarl, a beautiful mountainous valley. In a wine country!
Our group has been divided into 6 groups and I will be with Nina, Diane and Chris in Amstelhof Primary School.
The expectations and procedures for us seem quite unclear. As far as I can see we will travel to different teachers of different grade levels and go with the flow of what the classroom teachers ask of us.
Some Afrikans (although according to my phonetic spelling):
Tot since = good bye
Huja mora = good morning
Huja medach = good afternoon
Huja naught = good night
There would be a different dialect/ pronunciation between J’burg and Cape town.
The kids were great and so willing to be our teachers as well!
The curriculum was bilingual. Students/learners were instructed in both English and Afrikans (more heavy on the Afrikans!). The learners in most public schools in South Africa had the following subjects: EMS (Economics Service Management), Technology, Social Science, Home Language (Afrikans or English or both), Math, Bible study, Physics, Biology, Art and Culture.
Something I had a hard time understanding and agreeing with = I was very surprised how some principals were adamant about the learners being instructed in Afrikans. I wonder: how is that going to benefit them in the long run? What professions/fields are the kids being prepared for? Are they getting ready to communicate with the world community (keeping in mind that Afrikans is really only spoken in South Africa!)?
Sunday, September 7, 2008
From J'burg to Capetown
Sunday, July 27th – day 9
Today we finally get to sleep in! Hoorah!
We are flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town today. Thank goodness it is just over a 2-hour flight! My body begins to ache when I think about the soon to be coming 18 hour flight.
Check in to the Oak Tree Lodge in Paarl. Unlike previous years we are not going to stay with a host family. Instead we will interact with the community after school hours and then arrange for a drive back to the lodge at night.
Our night activity will be at Bergendal Intermediate School. It is an evening Potjiekos.
I can't wait to once again interact with the students and hear their stories and experience their eagerness to learn.
The general atmosphere thus far has been: Education is Freedom.
A powerful message that clearly motivates the students at all ages.
Additionally, I can't wait to get to the Laundromat. We were all encouraged to pack light and now we are all starting to run out of clothing. Thank goodness we are all such an accepting group : ) [O1]
Random notes:
We have not seen many bikes. People tend to walk, take a van, or drive personal cars.
Many of us have learned to be careful of what we eat. A bug has been travelling amongst our group members!
Again, I must stress that I am becoming more and more of a fan of uniforms. Not only are they so presentable but they are a great equalizer!
[O1]Figure out whats repeated and delete accordingly
Today we finally get to sleep in! Hoorah!
We are flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town today. Thank goodness it is just over a 2-hour flight! My body begins to ache when I think about the soon to be coming 18 hour flight.
Check in to the Oak Tree Lodge in Paarl. Unlike previous years we are not going to stay with a host family. Instead we will interact with the community after school hours and then arrange for a drive back to the lodge at night.
Our night activity will be at Bergendal Intermediate School. It is an evening Potjiekos.
I can't wait to once again interact with the students and hear their stories and experience their eagerness to learn.
The general atmosphere thus far has been: Education is Freedom.
A powerful message that clearly motivates the students at all ages.
Additionally, I can't wait to get to the Laundromat. We were all encouraged to pack light and now we are all starting to run out of clothing. Thank goodness we are all such an accepting group : ) [O1]
Random notes:
We have not seen many bikes. People tend to walk, take a van, or drive personal cars.
Many of us have learned to be careful of what we eat. A bug has been travelling amongst our group members!
Again, I must stress that I am becoming more and more of a fan of uniforms. Not only are they so presentable but they are a great equalizer!
[O1]Figure out whats repeated and delete accordingly
Teaching at Teboho Trust
Saturday, July 26th – Day 8 (but whew! It definitely feels like a lot more!)
*** Teboho Trust in Soweto (The only place in the world where 2 Noble Peace Prize Winners grew up on the same street: Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu!)
It is an NGO that works with disadvantaged and often orphaned children. It has existed for over 7 years and now has 230 students. A place where children learn that education is freedom! During the week they go to school with a poor culture of teaching where the teachers are not passionate and not motivational. I am sure that this is one major factor which has lead a majority of the kids look down upon teaching as a future position/ profession.
Today we meet the students at the High School building. Actually our timing could not have been better. As it turns out, a teacher's mother has passed away on Friday and so as is customary of the area, friends and family come to pay their respects to those left behind for much of the day. Many ceremonies and traditions are practiced throughout the ceremony. Therefore, there were no teachers that day! All of the teachers that work with Teboho Trust are volunteers. Students have learned to be self-guided and peer leaders as well. Therefore the program continues but the primary focus and purpose of Teboho Trust is to create a safe place away from home, comfortable and supportive environment, and an opportunity to instill hope in children.
Jose Bright is an ingenious and very motivated man, but I'm sure he would have had a much more difficult day. I am blown away with how giving he is to the children and willing to go beyond his means to achieve his goals.
The kids are given the opportunity to dabble in the world of business and marketing. They promote jewelry, soaps and lip balm that had been hand made by the kids. They practice business and marketing right on the spot. Additionally, I was impressed to see their excellent packaging and labeling.
While in the classroom teaching a combined class of 6th and 7th grade I looked out the window and saw a group of women praying for at least 3 hours throughout the day. The stayed in a circular area and at one point a few women were laying on the ground. Upon asking the students who the women were we learned that they were Zionists. Furthermore, we had previously learned that Zionists are prominent in black areas and that the congregation is about 100% female while the minister is a male.
The power of cultural capital. Who ends up on top and who is not given the opportunity?
*** Teboho Trust in Soweto (The only place in the world where 2 Noble Peace Prize Winners grew up on the same street: Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu!)
It is an NGO that works with disadvantaged and often orphaned children. It has existed for over 7 years and now has 230 students. A place where children learn that education is freedom! During the week they go to school with a poor culture of teaching where the teachers are not passionate and not motivational. I am sure that this is one major factor which has lead a majority of the kids look down upon teaching as a future position/ profession.
Today we meet the students at the High School building. Actually our timing could not have been better. As it turns out, a teacher's mother has passed away on Friday and so as is customary of the area, friends and family come to pay their respects to those left behind for much of the day. Many ceremonies and traditions are practiced throughout the ceremony. Therefore, there were no teachers that day! All of the teachers that work with Teboho Trust are volunteers. Students have learned to be self-guided and peer leaders as well. Therefore the program continues but the primary focus and purpose of Teboho Trust is to create a safe place away from home, comfortable and supportive environment, and an opportunity to instill hope in children.
Jose Bright is an ingenious and very motivated man, but I'm sure he would have had a much more difficult day. I am blown away with how giving he is to the children and willing to go beyond his means to achieve his goals.
The kids are given the opportunity to dabble in the world of business and marketing. They promote jewelry, soaps and lip balm that had been hand made by the kids. They practice business and marketing right on the spot. Additionally, I was impressed to see their excellent packaging and labeling.
While in the classroom teaching a combined class of 6th and 7th grade I looked out the window and saw a group of women praying for at least 3 hours throughout the day. The stayed in a circular area and at one point a few women were laying on the ground. Upon asking the students who the women were we learned that they were Zionists. Furthermore, we had previously learned that Zionists are prominent in black areas and that the congregation is about 100% female while the minister is a male.
The power of cultural capital. Who ends up on top and who is not given the opportunity?
1st Meeting with Teboho Trust
After visiting the Oprah Academy we move on and visit the Teboho Trust.
*** Teboho Trust
We met at a firehouse/public safety building. Jose Bright rents out the place when needed on a weekday.
Check out the amazing success and willpower of the organizers and the students: www.teboho.com
If at all possible, please think about how you could make a donation or a contribution of some sort to the success of the school. These are truly needy and passionate students that need the school and personal resources to help make their education dreams a possibility.
Again what a day of contrasts!
The biggest similarity = music and dance appears to be the guiding force that makes the soul powerful and pulls the children together. It helps make them survivors!
*** Teboho Trust
We met at a firehouse/public safety building. Jose Bright rents out the place when needed on a weekday.
Check out the amazing success and willpower of the organizers and the students: www.teboho.com
If at all possible, please think about how you could make a donation or a contribution of some sort to the success of the school. These are truly needy and passionate students that need the school and personal resources to help make their education dreams a possibility.
Again what a day of contrasts!
The biggest similarity = music and dance appears to be the guiding force that makes the soul powerful and pulls the children together. It helps make them survivors!
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