Teacher Appreciation at New Life

Friday, May 19 is El Día del Maestro (Teacher Appreciation Day) in Guatemala.  After experiencing many Teacher Appreciation Days in the US, I can whole-heartedly say they are much more fun here!

The students did not have class today (imagine, having to actually TEACH on Teacher Appreciation Day!) and the sixth grade and junior high students planned a program an activities to celebrate the teachers.

We played a number of games, and I was surprised to see the competitive spirit come out in our usually collaborative teaching staff.  Don't worry, though, everyone was friends when it was all over!

Carolina and Paquita in a stand-off
as each tried to break the
balloon tied
to the other's leg.

Getting serious here!
Paquita was victorious.

A local pastor from Chimaltenango preached on the gifting and role of the teacher.  He did a wonderful job of combining his academic knowledge with practical Biblical application for our lives.

Blanky, our school secretary and graduate of Nueva Vida shared some of her diverse talents with us.  Besides beautifully singing a praise song, she assume the character of an old woman to "roast" each of the teachers as she presented them with an award.  Jennifer, the speech therapist, and I received our certificates later.  I guess she was worried about embarrassing the two "gringas" on the staff!

The men on the staff were each called on to sing a praise song in front of the group.  I felt sorry for Jerry Bush, who speaks next to no Spanish, as he was trying to figure out what the group was being asked to do.  He did a beautiful presentation of  "I Love You Lord" which brought tears to my usually unsentimental eyes!

This was the first year that my assistant, Mauricio was part of the celebration as part of the teaching staff!  He has three more semesters, and he will become a fully licensed teacher, but has completed his pre-professional training and is qualified to teach up through third grade.  I think he enjoyed himself.  He showed himself to be quite the performer, too!

As if this wasn't already enough, we were then treated to a marvelous luncheon of churasco (grilled steak) excellently prepared by our cook, Seño Lety, and Karla, another of our graduates who works in the kitchen.

As the used to say in the society column of small town newspapers, "A good time was had by all!"