Today was my third day teaching at Isla Bonita Elementary School. It has been an interesting adjustment to the school and class, but teaching gets easier every day. My students call me Teacher Catty, because apparently Catty is Katy in Spanish. Today I substitute taught for my teacher so I had the students all to myself. I loved it! I was able to take control of the kids and lay down my expectations for the class. We had a fun day learning together! I am substituting again tomorrow and I am looking forward to it.
Part of our UNCW requirements for the Belize International Field Experience is to keep a blog about our experiences in the schools, as well as respond to different prompts. Today I am going to answer questions that my students from North Carolina asked about Belize.
Nathan - Why are the kids so rowdy? Do they enjoy school?
The kids are rowdy for many different reasons that are hard to understand. The teachers have different expectations and rules for the students. What is considered ‘disrespectful’ in America is completely acceptable in Belize. It is common for students to interrupt the teacher, shout out in class, get out of the seat and change desks, approach the teacher at the front of the room, and enter/leave the room during a lesson for different reasons without asking the teacher. These problems would be major discipline issues in America, but is considered normal behavior in Belize.
The kids do enjoy school, and all schools in Belize are private, meaning that the family pays for school. Because of the cost of school, the children are extremely grateful to be in school and they value education.
My school day schedule
Cameron - What is your house like where you are staying? Could you send a picture?
Our entire group is staying on the top floor of a building that is kind of like a hotel. It is called Pedro’s Inn. Two people share a room and each room has two beds and a bathroom. It is very basic, but really nice compared to most of the houses and apartments in Belize.
Tyler - How many kids in your class have shoes? What kind of sports do your kids play?
All of my students have shoes. However, the shoes are passed down from an older brother/sister, or the shoes were purchased from a thrift store. I haven’t seen anyone in Belize wearing new or nice shoes.
My students enjoy playing soccer and American football. They love tackling each other and playing rough sports. Swimming is also very popular and the girls like dancing.
The girls with Teacher Catty.
Adrianne practicing her cursive handwriting
The sweet boys in my class and the teacher, Hector.
Taylor - How is it different from what we studied about Africa? Are you using the supplies we sent?
Great question! Belize is both alike and different from Africa. Belize is considered a developing country, but it is more advanced than most parts of Africa. Belize has electricity and running water, and thankfully the water is clean so we can drink it. Most families have stable houses, unlike families in Africa. Belizeans have much different jobs than Africans. Most adults here make their living in tourism. There are many resorts on the beach as well as nice restaurants and gift shops. Local Belizeans also operate activities for tourists like scuba diving, sailing, fishing, and snorkeling. Belize is similar to Africa because kids begin working when they are as young as 5 years old. Young children sell homemade jewelry and pottery on the beach or street. They also walk alone on the streets selling fruits and vegetables. Most children work when they are out of school until 9 or 10 pm. The money is used to help the family pay bills.
We are definitely using the school supplies from America and it has been a huge help! On my first day teaching, I didn’t have dry erase markers to use and most of my kids didn’t have paper or pencils. They normally share with each other and use old scraps of paper. The materials we brought are a huge blessing to all of the students and teachers. My kids were amazed that I brought them spiral notebooks and multiple packs of paper. You should have seen their face when I gave them mechanical pencils! We gave the students enough supplies to last the rest of the year!
Houses near Isla Bonita Elementary School
Maddie N - What kind of food do you eat?
I have eaten a variety of food since I have been here. For breakfast, I eat a granola bar on the way to class. On school days, I have an hour break for lunch and I either get a sandwich on the street or buy fruit from a nearby street vendor. Dinner is different every night. American food is very expensive so I mostly eat rice and beans, Hispanic food and seafood. My favorite thing to eat is fresh fruit that is sold in tents on the street!
Maddie B - Are there any kids like me?
How could there ever be another Maddie B? Actually…most of my students are very talkative and smart which reminds me of you, but no one is quite like you!
This student reminds me of Ryan!
It is so nice to hear from my awesome students and partnership teacher in North Carolina! I miss you all!
-Katy G
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