Whew! First week teaching in Belize is complete! It is definitely different and challenging, but I have learned so much. I enjoy working with Hector and my sweet students every day. For this blog, I am responding to a prompt from the program director.
After your first week in the schools, what have you noticed that is similar and what is different when you compare teaching, schools, students, other teachers, and the community to your internship experience in Wilmington?
I’ll start with the most obvious difference between teaching in Belize and teaching in North Carolina. The lack of available resources is a drastic change. In Wilmington, I was incredibly blessed to have access to unlimited textbooks, workbooks, teaching guides, smart boards, software programs, libraries, children’s books, etc. And anything I didn’t have, I could easily find. In Belize I literally have a white board (often times no markers), paper and pencil. The students share workbooks and cannot write in them, so everything must be transferred to paper. It has been interesting not having a computer or copy machine at school. All of my tests, quizzes or worksheets must be handwritten and photocopied at a store in town. I realize that during my internship in America, I took the little things for granted. For example, pencil sharpeners. In Belize, my students share one hand-held pencil sharpener that belongs to one of the students, Gaven. If anyone needs to sharpen a pencil, they must ask Gaven to borrow his sharpener and it quickly turns into a huge ordeal. If Gaven is absent from school then everyone writes in pen. I will definitely be more appreciative of materials and resources that are readily available in America.
Another difference between schools in Belize and schools in America is behavior management and discipline (or lack there-of). Students here are constantly bouncy and rambunctious and they never settle down! It appears chaotic and hectic at first, but I have actually gotten used to it. It is common for students to shout out in class (I had to teach my kids to raise their hands), interrupt the teacher, and move around the room. I was surprised when students left and entered the class freely throughout the day. From day one teaching in Belize, I told my students my personal rules and expectations for them. I simply asked that when I was talking, no one else talked, and that students raised their hands to answer a question. Thankfully, those two simple rules changed my students’ behavior enough for me to instruct them. Each day I add a little more structure and discipline to their routines and habits. I am actually starting to understand that students behave this was because it is completely acceptable in Belize. Teachers here are not bothered or concerned when students are ‘disrespectful’. What is considered disrespectful in America is entirely tolerated in Belize. I would imagine that Belizean teachers who visited an American classroom would be confused about the quietness, structure and organization of class.
A similarity between schools in Belize and schools in America is parent involvement. Codington Elementary School in North Carolina had an impressive amount of parent volunteers that helped in and out of class. Parents in Belize don’t actually volunteer in class, but they’re involved in other ways. I am surprised by the level of parent and community involvement in the local schools in Belize. Isla Bonita Elementary School has a PTA that constantly works hard to raise money to keep tuition costs low. The PTA host’s talent shows, beauty pageants, fundraisers, etc. and they work with the community for sponsorship. Because it is a tiny town on a tiny island, it is easy for parents and the community to stay updated and aware of school happenings.
Other basic differences between schools in Belize and America:
Elementary students in Belize have an hour-long lunch break. Parents pick the kids up and take them home for lunch, or to a nearby restaurant. There is no cafeteria at any school, only a snack bar. In North Carolina, every student ate lunch in a cafeteria and either purchased the school’s lunch or brought a lunch box.
Wasted time during the school day! Most teachers in Belize often plan one lesson for each subject per day. Each lesson lasts 15 to 20 minutes, at the most. At the end of the lesson, the students have “free period”. In other words, students have time to do whatever he/she wants, such as draw, sing, run around the room, purchase items from the snack bar, or play games. In my internship in North Carolina, every free minute was devoted to something somewhat educational. There was no such thing as “free period” at Codington Elementary School. After a few days teaching in Belize, I couldn’t handle the complete chaos of “free period” so I started using the time to teach another lesson, read aloud, practice mental math, review spelling words, or practice cursive penmanship. The added structure helps manage behavior and disciplinary issues.
Belizean students are SO loving and affectionate! I always got plenty of hugs from my kids in North Carolina, but my Belizean students take affection to a new level. I am greeted by hugs and kisses on the cheek from both boys and girls. They appear mesmerized by my hair and constantly run their fingers through it. Throughout the day, students touch me when I help them at their desks. If they want my attention, they stroke my arm or just climb into my lap. At the end of school, students attach themselves to my body. They hang onto my legs and sit on my lap until I demand that it is time to go! Needless to say, I feel loved by my students.
Now…It’s finally the weekend in Belize! I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach and hanging out with friends. I am still so thankful to be in this beautiful country with so much to do!
Adios,
Katy G
On a better note, I am in love with my students! Every day I smile and laugh non-stop because they are so fun to be around. And, they were so sweet when I was sick on Monday. I told them I wasn’t feeling well, so every time it got noisy in the classroom a student would yell “Quiet! The Miss is sick, Miss is sick!” They are so appreciative and thankful for everything I do, even something simple like giving them a small eraser or sticker. Their genuine gratefulness is inspirational. With only 9 students in my class, it has been easy to get close to the children. I am already attached to each student and I cannot imagine saying goodbye in a few weeks! 
Yesterday I went into town to meet my teacher at Isla Bonita Elementary School. I was lucky enough to also meet the students who I’ll be teaching. I am in the Standard II class, which is the equivalent of third grade in America. All of my kids are 8 years old. My Belize partnership teachers name is Hector, and he is one of the only male teachers on the Island. He is hysterically funny, has an amazing sense of humor and I know I will enjoy working with him. I was astonished by the size of the classroom. It is tiny…smaller than most bedrooms in America. It is extremely cramped with very little room to move or walk around. 
This morning a small group of us went scuba diving on the barrier reef, which is less than a mile off the shore of the Island. It was awesome! Definitely one of the coolest things I have done so far in life. I saw tons of fish, multiple stingrays, an eel and beautiful coral reef. My favorite animal was a gigantic sea turtle that was only a few feet away from me. Never quite imagined Belize would be this perfect…I am so grateful!
