I haven't had many
classes this week since my 11th graders are on vacation. The reason being, they
missed their own summer vacation since they were stuck studying for the
Colombian version of the SAT, which they finally took this past Sunday. With
that, I offered to assist Nayibe-one of the English teachers-with her other
classes to lessen her workload a bit. Nayibe expressed excitement for me taking
over different grade levels because apparently, they all have questioned why the
native was not present in their classrooms.
I do not normally
teach younger levels because the Ministry of Education is in need of teaching
fellows for older students who have to present a certain level of English
proficiency in order to succeed academically. To keep a long explanation short,
it is vital that I focus my native skills on students who are about to exit
high school and move onto the collegiate level of their education.
La escuela de
Antonio José de Sucre is quite small, so one can imagine how quickly word
passed of my assistance with 7th grade this morning. Barely taking three steps
out of the classroom, I was swarmed by a group of students. My Spanish may not
be terrible but believe me when I say I need much practice before I find myself
fluent. The biggest test I've had yet, was having over 30 young costeños rapidly
screaming questions at me en español. My attention deficit went haywire as I
struggled to find a focus point to begin with.
It took about 3
minutes before I processed that the students swarming me, were the other group of
7th graders who wanted a chance with the native just like the others.
Understanding their curiosity, I complied as they dragged me into a classroom
by each limb. I was pushed into a chair as all of them crowded around me on the
floor, toppling over each other to get a closer spot. Then the questions fired
up again… ¿De dónde eres? ¿Qué es tu nombre? ¿Tienes un novio, hermano, hijo? Each
time I gave an answer the room would erupt with screams and 5 more questions
would be shot my way.
A headache started
to form on my temple as my brain kept rapidly translating between Spanish and
English. Of course when I told them my name was Brianna they all started to
sing "work, work, work," and asked if I liked Rihanna. Then they proceeded to
beg me to sing for them in English. I am the type of person who turns
beet red when someone asks me to sing. Unless I have a few beers in me or a
couple shots of tequila, my answer will almost always be a hard NO. The hope in
the many pairs of eyes before me were unlike anything I have witnessed when
being asked this question in the past.
Against my own
judgement, I found myself belting out the lyrics of "Cheap Thrills" by
Sia. The students started clapping the baseline and repeating my English
verses. I forced myself to ignore the embarrassment I felt, knowing that this
moment was very well making their day. When I finished they started to ask me
what kind of Colombian music I was interested in. I have not heard much
Colombian music other than reggaetone. Trying to remain honest but not
disappointing, I told them I enjoyed the Barranquilla native Shakira, and her
new song "Bicicleta." Once again, the students all stood up, clapping and singing
the lyrics as they took each other's hands in dance.
The enthusiasm these students have is indescribable. I have yet to find a place in the United States
with this unique character and passion. They drive
me up a wall sometimes, but I honestly feel that I get to see them for who they
truly are. As hard as it is to get used to kids screaming and dancing around
the room when I am trying to be serious, I actually get to witness the freedom
of their culture being alive in the classroom. It is difficult to tame, it can
be messy, but it is responsible for the most beautiful experiences I have
witnessed as a teacher.
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