Friends and Colleagues

Today was a rewarding day in Punta Gorda as I got to see our enthusiastic new learning coaches begin their work with teachers from surrounding schools outlining the new math and science curriculum. I spent the day travelling from classroom to classroom doing breakout sessions on assessment strategies. 

Although it is near the end of my journey here in Punta Gorda, I feel the connections I have made  with the teachers both as colleagues and new friends  make me feel like I am just beginning to settle into a collaborative working partnership with a teaching staff that I am part of. It has become a warm and friendly community where we share experiences as teachers with a lot of laughter and camaraderie thrown in. 

Even though I know it is almost time to return home, I feel I am not quite ready to leave my Belizean friends and that there is much here for me to share and to learn.

Laurie

REALLY Hot Off the Press!

Back to work! After a weekend seeing new sights Sandra  and I returned to St. Peter Claver to continue our  collaborative work  with the curriculum officers and teachers. It was nice to be welcomed back and see familiar faces. I genuinely felt part of a team. The work today started with looking at the new math curriculum and continued right onto lesson planning. It is great to have conversations about teaching practices and concerns all of us share as teachers as we strive to do our best for our students.  p.s. Apparently I am not the only one sweating out the weather as even the local teachers were jockeying positions for the chairs in front of the only fan. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Even though I have been here before, I am always amazed at what a beautiful country Belize is! Laurie and I spent a relaxing weekend in Placencia in a cheerful little cottage right on the beach. 

While Laurie was diving and swimming with the dolphins on Saturday, I caught up on some much needed sleep and managed to finish a novel. Despite the beautiful setting and the wonderful sunshine and heat, we both found ourselves anxious to get back to Punta Gorda to make sure we were ready for Monday morning. 

We both spent last Thursday at Peter Claver meeting teachers and getting to know some of the teachers. Laurie sat down with the curriculum officers and facilitators to coordinate their plans for this upcoming week. I am really looking forward to starting with the technology workshop and am thankful for all of the hard work that went into getting the school lab up and running.

Sandra and Laurie

Hot and Humid!

We arrived in Punta Gorda late in the afternoon. It was beautiful, sunny, and hot! Laurie offered to help out on the flight and sat as co-pilot in case her flying skills were needed...

After a safe landing (thanks Laurie!) and taking a cab to Coral House (land lines were all down and no cell phone at hotel), we grabbed the bikes and rode downtown hoping that the chocolate factory was still open but unfortunately, it was closed. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Asha's and then settled into an early sleep planning to get up early and visit our school and set up for the week ahead. 

What we weren't expecting was the torrential rain and thunder storm that circled Punta Gorda for most of the night. Lightning strikes were finding targets all around us and accompanied by bed lifting cracks of thunder. By morning, we learned that more than 5 inches of rain fell overnight. Amazing!

Today is hot and very humid. We've found shelter under some thatch and working on what we can to get ready for the week. We are anxiously waiting to hear from someone (anyone)who can get us get us into the school and will take a walk over to see if someone might be there.

Sandra :-)