Teachers here in Guatemala have it tough. . .up to 60 students in a class, limited access if any to photocopies, constant shortages of books and materials, and, some years, working without receiving a paycheck for months at a time. They deserve a celebration.
While our teachers have it better than most (they are always paid, and have access to supplies) they still have to create much of their instructional materials by hand. Many of them travel over an hour and a half just to get to school. And they teach some of the most challenging, but also the most rewarding, children in Guatemala.
They, too, deserve to be celebrated. And they (we) were. along with all the staff at New Life
Students from one of the secondary schools came an put on a traditional Mayan dance for us to enjoy. Byron Alexander, a young man who has Marfan's Syndrome and is very low vision and graduated sixth grade at New Life, brought some classmates from the school he now attends to honor our teachers.
The ladies from our moms support group also honored us with a dance, as well as a delicious lunch they helped prepare and serve us.
They surprised us at the end of their performance by throwing not only rose petals, but candy, into the audience. What fun to watch the teachers scramble for it, like children when a piñata breaks.
Judy Kerschner, the founder and administrator of New Life, got quite choked up when she spoke of her gratitude to the teachers and staff who had helped grow the school from the one class it was when it started fifteen years ago. Today we serve over 110 children and have nine classroom teachers as well as a number of specialists supporting classroom instruction.
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| Seño Marisol, the director (principal) presenting Profe Manuel with a small gift. |
Each of us also received a gift from the school. In keeping with the practicality of Guatemala, we were each given a large, fluffy bath towel to commemorate the day.
Thanks for making me feel so special! It's an honor to serve with you.
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