winners day

wonderful week. well I'm getting through this week pretty well, classes going nicely enough. No one ever said it was going to be easy moving away from parents and living illegally in another country. That's the story for the majority of my newcomer students. there are only 9 right now, I teach them science vocabulary one hour and then we split them up and I teach each a math vocabulary class. We've discovered this week that the majority of our students are living with a family member other than a parent. how sad not to have a dad or mom around when you are only 14, 15, or 16.. it makes me want to parent them all the more. I have one class of just 4 boys and I'm constantly trying to talk to them about not going for the easy dirty joke, having respect for others mainly girls, trying to convince them they're no longer in middle school!!! ha ha. that's normal for all 9th graders though, the boys take a longer time gaining that self control. whoah.
anyway, if you've done any study of culture shock, there are 4 basic stages. THese kids are ending the first, "honeymoon" stage. and we discussed today how they all thought it'd be exciting and new coming to the US and going to school. Now they are entering stage 2 "negotiation" stage which is basically the wait I hate it here stage... ha anxiety, frustration, anger etc... as the adjust. I hope to give as much support and encouragement as they're able to listen to. Although the best thing is really jsut to let them tell you what they're thinking and feeling, and you just listen. We are going to start a journal writing time in the other teachers foundations of English class so they can get it out on paper, that way they are able to write in SPanish or ENglish etc..
One of our best kids today came back from his court appearance and was preoccupied for a while about if he'd be sent back to Mexico. he was arrested and put in a detention center last spring in Houston where he stayed until he was released this summer and came to live in OKC. another student who is just so smart and excellent in class (and super nice) he said today he doesn't like where he's living with his 2 uncles and 2 cousins and would prefer to live alone. ahhh. of course then there is the pregnant sister and her brother who are living with their single aunt who already has 2 kids. anyway, I'm loving them more everyday and excited to get going this year with teaching them vocabulary twice a day. I'm doing more activities with them like games, or drawing, or group work etc... so far so good. not sure now why I was so set on finding another job. God really knows what he'd doing. like a Garth Brooks song "unanswered prayers" ha
I only include the photo that I had on the banner because it's so CUTE! I wish I had a son so much and just look at all those boys' different sharp haircuts and little handmade overalls. ahhh THis photo was taken by a facebook friend last weekend at a horse race community festival thing near Inola Oklahoma. Not exactly AMish but the AMish side of Mennonites no doubt. DId I ever mention my great Grandfather was a Mennonite preacher from Switzerland. true story. good week to all!