Community Member

Peace Corps is always telling us during training that a Volunteer is always working to become a member of the community that many people know and respect. I don't know what I thought I was before, but it just recently occurred to me that maybe I am known and respected. When people meet me, it's like they're meeting this wonderful person they've heard so much about, and are just so grateful to finally see my face. Part of this could be attributed to their gravcious and accomodating nature, but I also think I might actually have become a MEMBER. Membership in a community is difficult to come by and unlike most other memberships, you can't necessairly buy your way in. (Especially if you're a volunteer and aren't really paid that much).

My site-mate and I have been planning on opening an English Resource Center in our center Library. By "planning" I mean "talking about it a lot with our schools and each other." But we finally tooka very important step: We went to the library to talk to them about holding community clubs and opening a resource center. They were so excited to work with us, and are more than willing to help us. "We will always help you" were their exact words. I think we might be well-respected members of the community... I don't know when or how it happened, but it did.

First Bell Blues

I typed out a blog entry and put it on my flash card, but now the computer with the internet won't read it... So I'm sorry if this is a little scattered

School began Nationwide in Kazakhstan on September 1st, and every school had a bell ringing ceremony where all the first-year students lined up and said poetry about how excited they were about school (lies!) and to "open the door quick! We want to learn!" Then and 11th former and 1st grader ran through the crowd ringing the bell, it was sort of cute. But we all know after a week or two, they won't be so jazzed about school.

It's exciting to start new classes with new students. I found out last year that when a class asked why Miss Jessica wasn't teaching them the local teachers would say something like "Your study habits are horrible!" or "You are the worst class! Why would she teach you?" (The real answer? Because Miss Jessica isn't three people and can't be everywhere at once...) So I've been trying to take on different classes to debunk the myth. Unfortunately, the reputation precedes me and every class has begun about the same. i enter the room, and a hush goes around "it's Miss Jessica!" Then a student works up the courage to ask "Will you teach us this year?" and I would answer "for today at least" because we don't know the schedule, not because I "don't teach stupid classes." But every class has been on it's best and most terrified behavior, thinking the slightest screw-up will make me leave. I feel so bad, I just stand there and smile, and hope that they know somehow that I would love to teach everybody, that I don't know what classes are worse than others.

So this next week I'll probably make a few classes cry when we find out that the schedule will force me to not teach 40% of the students at my school. I hope someday they will understand. It's difficult being the loved English teacher. But somebody has to do it.