Thursday November 12

I finished the rest of my planning today; this is why I really like Thursdays. One of my students has been absent for over a week now and she’s not sick, so the administration was trying to figure out why she didn’t want to come. Mr. Calderon said she doesn’t want to come to school, so we should make her cards saying we miss her and want her to come back. In my mind, if a kid doesn’t want to come to school because something’s happened I understand, but I don’t think that’s the case here; it’s the parent’s job to be like too bad you’re going to school. She’s so far behind on everything already missing tests and such…its frustrating because I don’t even know where to start to get her back on track. It continued to get colder and rainier as the day went on and I only had on a long sleeve and cardigan, I was so cold. Compared to at home right now it probably wasn’t that different, but remember…I haven’t had very cold weather here, everything is open and breezy and there’s no indoor heating; my living area is essentially a big walled in porch!
Dennis and Vicente came today because the scholarship kids at all the kids get doctor checkups. Dennis came a few weeks ago for fiesta tipicia, but we haven’t seen Vicente in a month so it was nice to see both of them for a little bit. I had tutorias after school and they went pretty well for Language and reading. The mix of kids in tutorias is difficult sometimes because they are usually the ones who pay the least attention in class so even in smaller groups they are still kinda distracted or not listening as well. I’ve been trying to be more patient and understanding with my kids making sure I don’t sound too angry or mad when I’m frustrated while still being firm and being able to take or make a joke. It seems like when I have days like that, they go better so maybe I’m kinda getting the hang of how Rachel Sneden can be a teacher haha.

I went home after tutorias, had dinner, and we had decided to start a Bible study with Mrs. Laurelais, our Filipino neighbor. I think it will be a good thing to do as a way to grow spiritually besides attending church in Spanish. Laura Beth, Kirsty and I were there and we got to share our faith stories with each other, so that was nice. She’s very nice and so petite and cute and really on fire for God; almost to the point where it’s intimidating! She’s just very passionate about letting God be our EVERYTHING and only walking with him and following him, which I totally agree with. It’s just when she’s sitting across the table sharing these things with you so passionately and then just staring at you to see how you react to it, I didn’t know what to do except nod my head in agreement. I guess I just haven’t been around someone that passionate in a while and I was taken aback. I want to love God with that same passion and be in love with him, but I think the way I’ll express that with others isn’t going to be the same way she does. I am looking forward to what we’ll learn from her and from each other though.