In just over a week I will move to Catacams, Honduras for six months to teach an English immersion class for 2nd through 6th graders. The program that I'll teach is at a school that only teaches in English. This program, then, is for students who don't know any English and need to learn enough to be prepared to enter that school in the fall and learn all of their classes in English. This is basically a dream come true for me, and I could not be more excited. As January 9th approaches, though, I'm growing more and more nervous for four main reasons. First, I have never been that far from home for more than two weeks, and obviously, Catacamas is quite a bit different from Tinley Park. Second, I know very little Spanish and my students (as well as most of the other people I will be surrounded by) don't know any English. Third, I'll be in a combined-age class where most of my students are way older than those that I am used to working with, as all of my experience is in early childhood education. Fourth, this is my first year teaching -- intimidating in and of itself.
I titled my blog "Horizontes Dilatados" (broadened horizons) because, well, I ripped it off from an informational video about the schools. But, that's really what this experience is all about -- broadened horizons, not copyright infringement. My students are coming from a pretty poverty-stricken area with limited opportunities. This school is a chance for them to learn English, get an education of high quality, and (most importantly) learn about God's love for them and their value and purpose as children of Christ. This will equip them to pursue life as capable and confident members of God's Kingdom, realizing their significance, purpose, and potential. They'll see themselves and the world around them differently. I'll be learning right alongside my students. I'll learn about my students' lives, my enviornment, the language and culture, being a good teacher, and thousands of other lessons that I can't anticipate.
So the next six months will be pretty challenging. However, I know that God has prepared me for this, brought me here for a reason, and will be with me. I pray that I'll teach effectively and learn from my mistakes quickly so that my students will enjoy class, learn a lot, and then be prepared for school when August rolls around.
Basically, I'm thankful. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm trying to remember that ink on my back reminding me that I don't need to be anxious. I'm as prepared as I can be... or at least I will be once I pack. And I'm hoping that not all of my posts will take as long as this one did.
Phil. 4:6-7
