Talofa!
I hope everyone
at home is well! Things here in AmSam are going great! On the weekdays I am
always very busy with school and paddling, and on the weekends I try keep busy
by going swimming, hiking, and hanging out with my friends. Teaching so far has
been a challenge and a learning process. As I said before I am the second grade
ELA teacher at Matafao Elementary. There are four different 2nd
grade classes (it is called “level 2” here) at Matafao. I go around to all the
level 2 classrooms and teach their ELA classes. English Language Arts is very
broad, but for the most part I teach reading, writing, grammar, phonics, spelling
and vocabulary. Although it is 2nd grade, my students are mainly all
at a kindergarten learning level. This is a struggle because I do not speak
Samoan and many of my students barely speak English. Although a challenge, I
feel that both my students and myself are learning from each other and
improving everyday! They will have their first big test on Friday, so we shall
see how that goes!
Behavior is also
a huge problem here. Corporeal punishment, although technically illegal,
happens a lot here. I haven’t witnessed anything more than a tug of the ear, a
slap on the hand, or an occasional slap of the face, but even so it is hard to
see. Hitting as a form of punishment is so ingrained into the culture that it
is perfectly accepted and expected here!
I’m already getting quite used to seeing it. The problem is, “sasa” (The
samoan word for this type of reprimand) is the only type of punishment the students
are used to. Therefore because I do not “sasa” my students they do not always
respect my authority and they have trouble paying attention. They know by know
that I am not going to hit them… so why should they listen to me? Although very
frustrating I am seeing some improvement. After three and a half weeks my
students are definitely starting to listen more and respect me more as their
teacher! Thank goodness.
On a more positive note… Although it’s only been three weeks I can confidently
say that I love my students and they love me. Besides some behavior problems
and the fact that some of my kids don’t even know the English alphabet, they
are really are great kids!! Although their classroom behavior is out of
control, they can also be extremely polite and helpful. Yes they will talk when
I am trying to teach, hit and fight with each other, and chase each other at
top speed in the classroom while doing cartwheels…But they also always offer me
their chairs or their snacks. They constantly sweep and clean the classroom
without being asked. They will organize all the papers on my desk into neat
little piles, or bring my pen and my grade book to me before I am even aware
that I left it somewhere. Whenever I see any of my students (at school or
around the island) they will run up and hug me, yelling HI MISS MAGGIE! They
are very curious and ask me hundreds of questions about my life, and they love
to make me little notes with hearts that say, “I love Miss Maggie!” Although a
huge challenge, I think that it is going to be a great school year and I am
excited to see how much my students are going to learn and grow as the year
goes on.
Here are some
pictures of my school and classrooms!
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| Matafao Elementary School |
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| Matafao Elementary School |
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| Matafao Elementary School |
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| Matafaou Elementary School |
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| What I see on my walk to school:) |
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| My walk to school! |
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| My walk to school! |
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| My walk to school (also a public beach right by my house) |
What else have I
been up to? Well let’s see…Since I last blogged I have explored many more
beaches, went to a Samoan style BBQ, hiked a mountain, and joined a paddling
team!
I’m surrounded by
ocean, but ever since school has started, Saturdays are the only time I ever
have time to enjoy the water (Sundays we are not allowed to swim). So… I joined
a paddling team! I am officially a member of the American Samoa Association of
Paddling (ASAP). Every Tuesday and Thursday (and eventually Saturday mornings)
I have paddling practice. It is fantastic. I really love it! Each boat (I think
they are called outrigger canoes) holds six people. Each person on the boat has
a different role/job! There are all sorts of terminology and lingo that I am
still in the process of learning, but I finally have the basics down. It
involves synchronization, team work, yelling different commands, knowing different
commands, holding the paddle in a very specific way, watching the person in
seat one, listening to the steer, etc. Paddling is very different than anything
I’ve ever done before, but so far I love it. I’m excited to become more
involved with the team and MAYBE even get to compete. Joining the team also has
been a great way to meet locals and learn more Samoan. Everyone one on the team
has been very nice and welcoming! A couple weeks ago the team held a fundraiser,
which involved amazing food, drinks, a live band and a raffle!
I am about to
leave school for the day… aka no more wifi! So the rest of this blog will be picture
updates!
Again, I hope
everyone at home is well! I miss you all so much! While you are transitioning
into fall… it is quickly getting hotter and more humid here.
ALSO! If you
click on the WISH LIST tab above I have finally wrote down my address!!!! SEND ME LETTERS or CARE PACKAGES and you will make
my day (and will get a shout out in my blog of course).
