Final Post

Thinking about the entire experience in Belize, how are you a different person both personally and professionally as a result of this experience? How do you know? What evidence do you have?

From the start of this trip not to the end, I feel that I have grown as a person. Personally, I think that I have a different way a thinking. I have more of an open mind for other cultures and ways of life. Belize is so laid back. Everyone takes their time and enjoys every moment of life. In American I'm always busy. Sitting down to simply relax almost felt like a waste of time. The lifestyle in America is fast pace. I have learned over the last 6 weeks in Belize to slow down and take it everything around me. I have learned to patiently wait for my food and in the meantime enjoy the people surrounding me. It was actually nice not having cell phone service all the time. Sometimes at home when I go eat with my friends everyone sits there on their phone instead of talking to each other. I like how Belizean people are so family oriented especially in San Pedro. San Pedro is a small town where everyone knows everyone. I loved walked down the beach or going to dinner and seeing my students out with their families. I am at the point in my life where I can do anything I wish to do. Traveling has always been a big part of my life and I want to continue exploring the world. Living in a place like San Pedro could be a reality for me if I choose to do so. It's crazy to think that I have been in school all my life and now I am completely done. 

Professionally as an educator, I have learned so much from my students. Expectations were different in Belize. In America, students are expected to sit still, pay attention, and say seated but not in Belize. The classroom felt almost overwhelming when I first walked into a class at New Horizon. I learned that their methods of teaching are not right or wrong but just different. The students I worked with in particular were some of the academically lowest students in the school. I worked with 5th graders that didn't even know their letter sounds. I had to come up with a way to assess where the students were at academically early on. There were no IEPs like there is in the States. I had to figure out this information on my own. I also learned how to teach with very littler resources. Our students had hardly any resources. I had to think out side the box to come up with ways to teach my students. It was challenging at times but it was cool to see that you can still be a great teacher without fancy smart boards and copy machines. 

Connecting New Horizon and Gregory

Our last days in the schools have been great. I can't believe this trip is coming to an end so soon. Looking back at at our first week in San Ignacio seemed like it was just yesterday. We have been able to do so many fun things. This Tuesday my students here were able to FaceTime my student in North Carolina. They were so excited to meet each other since they have been writing letters to each other. I miss my students in Wilmington and I'm glad I got to see them. My students here asked them great questions about what schools was like there and how old they were. They were engaged and happy to talk to them. My students in Wilmington asked great questions back. The funniest part was when my students in Belize told them they swim with sharks. The reaction in my students faces in Wilmington was priceless. They told them they should never swim with sharks! The full circle project was a fun way to give my students a chance to connect. I have enjoyed doing it. I will miss my students here when I leave. They are so full of joy. They love to learn. I will miss they hundreds of hugs I get walking into school and leaving from school everything. I hope that I have made a difference in their lives as much as they have made a difference in mine.

Night Snorkel

Last night we were able to go on a night snorkel. I had no idea night snorkeling was even an option. I was a little nervous about swimming at night in the ocean. I kept telling myself that I had to do it no matter what because I would never get an experience like this probably ever again. The tour guides were very nice and assured us it was safe. I dove in excited to see nightlife in the ocean. Within the first 5 minutes of swimming a huge eagle ray swam past us. It was so beautiful but a little to close for comfort. These were wild animals we were swimming with. You never know what's going to happen. We snorkeled for almost an hour and saw so many more things than we did during our day snorkel in the same place. We saw string rays, sharks, sea urchins, eels, big fish, and crabs. The size of the animals amazed me. It was crazy how everything came out at night. This was a wonderful experience. I'm so glad we were able to go. I would recommend this excursion to other people going to Belize! 

Preparing for the Last Week in Belize

What is important for you to do in the last week you are in Belize and Why?

I think that it is important for me to enjoy every moment I have left here. This trip has gone above and beyond all my expectations. I know I will never experience anything like this ever again. Working at New Horizon has been eye opening. My students are wonderful and I wish I could do more for them. Learning about the lack of specials education services makes my appreciate the US even more. In my last week here, I would like to learn as much as I can about the special education system here and use it for our documentary. I also need to finish my full circle project. My students in Wilmington wrote letters to the students here and my students here are writing back. The letters are almost finished. My students have really liked writing them. They think it's cool to be able to talk to other students like them in another country. I can't wait to go back home and give my Wilmington students their letters! I am also setting up a Skype session so both groups of students can meet and talk. It is so bittersweet that my time in Belize is almost over. I am excited about going back and graduating but Belize is so beautiful it's going to be hard to leave.

Fishing and 5k for Autism

This past weekend I went on a fishing excursion. I found out just before that I passed all my North Carolina teacher licensure exams and it was Mary's birthday. Fishing was a great way to celebrate. I have never really loved fishing but I love riding on boats and hanging out with my friends. We rode to several different spots to fish. I did not catch any fish but I learned about the types of fish Belize has and about the different reefs that attraction the various fish. It was interesting to learn about the type of fishing people in Belize do and what the fish are used for.

On Sunday, I walked in a 5k for Autism. There were over 100 participates. The 5k for Autism was put on by a local elementary school called ACES. We spoke to the lady in charge of the run and she was the specials education teacher at ACES. This school is one of the only schools in Belize that we know of that has special education. Many schools do not identify students with disabilities much less teach them. The 5k was set up to raise awareness for all students with disabilities. It was neat to see the community supporting the cause. Raising awareness is a great way to push for special education services in Belize. ACES raise over $1,000 to go towards enrolling students with disabilities in private schools such as ACES. Mary and I have set up an interview with the special education director to talk about special education in Belize. We hope to use the interview in our documentary. The race was a lot of fun! Allison won 2nd place for fastest female runner and UNCW won largest supporting group. This was such a great experience and something dear to my heart.

Teaching Experience

What have you learned about yourself as a teacher from the work you are doing in the schools both positive and negative?

Teaching aboard is a completely different experience than teaching in the U.S. I think the schools and teachers here are more laid back and the requirements are not as strict. I have learned how to be more laid back as well which could be a good or bad thing. Sometimes I feel that I'm not doing as much as I should be. Mary and I were able to take the students the teachers gave us and make our own schedule. I struggle with how much we should take the students out of their general education classes since in a few weeks we will not be there to give them special education services. At the same time, I think the students could benefit from supplemental instruction outside their classrooms. I learned how to be patient with the students in a different way. The culture is much different than ours. A class that might seem out of control here is typical in Belize. If a class is really loud and students are constantly out of their seats in the U.S. then the class is usually considered out of control. Here it is not a huge deal. Class discipline is different. I have learned to be stern but not overly controlling. Teaching everyday has made me grow as a teacher. My students are so loving and friendly. 

Snorkeling Excursion

This past weekend we went on a snorkeling excursion to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. The excursion was a whole day event! We left San Pedro around 8 o'clock. Our first snorkeling stop was Hol Chan. We saw a sea turtle, sting ray, a variety of fish, and beautiful coral reef. The sea turtle amazed me! It looked so unreal. The colors in his shell were gorgeous. After Hol Chan, we sailed over to Shark Ray Alley. If you couldn't guess Shark Ray Alley if full of nursing sharks along with string rays and fish. We all jumped in the water quickly and watched as 15 to 20 sharks surrounded our boat. Swimming with sharks that close was thrilling but also very scary. I have never done anything like that before. To end the trip, we stopped at an island next to San Pedro called Caye Caulker. Our tour guide explained that this island is much like San Pedro was 25 years ago. Caye Caulker had a local feel to it. We were able to explore the island for a few hours. I would definitely go back to Caye Caulker. I loved the atmosphere and the laid back vibes from the local people. Sailing back to San Pedro was relaxing. I have always loved being on the water. I know that pictures and this blog will not even come close to describing how wonderful this weekend trip was for me. I wish all my family members and friends could have shared this experience with me first hand.