THE ANSWER!

Grade cards just went out.  Everyone had the same grades.  To be fair, I won't state what letter grade they got.  However, be creative with your imagination.  Anyways, how do you explain to children this is the grade they will get when they never do their homework.  They will not understand it.  Nothing in this universe will ever get them to do homework and turn it in on time.  So, how can you give them a grade?  Good question.  Today, however, I found the answer.  Not being too well prepared for teaching anything today, I just took them to the sunny, outdoor cafeteria, sat them down with the books they needed to complete their homework, and just watched them the entire morning until each turned in every assignment to be graded.  I then took them in and introduced them a bit to an art thing we are doing.  I showed them a bit of reward for actually getting the homework done, even though it wasn't their choice.  This finally gave me an opportunity to see their own actual work, completed without cheating.  And without exaggerating a bit, each boy turned in an "A" on at least one paper.  It was an awesome feeling.

What is even more amazing, was reading what one boy wrote for writing class.  They had to write ten sentences of their own, underlining the subject, predicate and circling the verb.  One boy handed me the paper and this is what I read in one part:

4.  My life occasionally is fun.

5.  I wish I was at home.

6.  I hate coming to school and doing work.

7.  This year is the worst year of my life.

After reading this, I asked him, "Is the reason this is the worst year of my life because I am your teacher?" (Remember, it was awesome for me to hear this.  I loved hearing this.  Made me realize I am here for a reason.)  No answer was given as he smiled at me uncomfortably, as his head was shook no, then yes, then no.  "Well, what is it?  Is it me?  Am I pushing you too much?  Do I expect too much out of you?," I continued to ask wondering why this year is so bad.  It seems to me that he has been having fun most of the time.  "Well Isaac, last year we just came and sat, screwed around and had fun.  We didn't have to learn or do homework.  I flunked, but I don't care, cause I had fun.  We actually have to learn this year!"  AWESOME!  I love it!!  This is the best thing I could have heard.  Do I feel bad for putting this kid through hell and back this year.  Not a bit!  Right now he feels that I am his enemy during school hours.  (He comes in after school hours and we are best friends.  This is only school talk right now.)  When he grows up though, hopefully he will look back at what I am trying to do for him and he will remember with a huge smile on his face.

So what is wrong in this school?  Is it just my boys, or is it everyone?  It is not just this school, or community, but it is the culture of Haiti.  I have finally came to realize that these people are not expected to succeed.  In anything.  Their culture tells them that they can not make it.  They will be poor.  They will sell drugs, or something to this extent.  This is their only option.  To flunk out.  Their families give up on them, because they are a mouth they have to feed with no money.  And this is not just a habit in school, to give up, but with everything.  Our flag football game today was lost because of our attitude.  Two boys volunteered to get on the bus.  The other six we had to force, yell at, and make them get on the bus to go play.  You can lead a horse to water, but you won't get him to drink.  This is so true.  We got them there, but couldn't make them play.  Warm ups were pitiful, followed by a horrible first half.  Thank God we were playing a terrible team, so by half time the score was 0-0.  Then, after the half, it was the game of scores, but we had wasted to much time, and cared to little go get a victory.  We ended up losing 12-26 as the last play ended up in us throwing a hail mary, getting it intercepted, and them running it back.  It was much closer than the score showed.  Was I still mad?  Yes, very!  We made too many awful, stupid mistakes and our attitudes told everyone we didn't want to be there.  We played a good game, but the way we presented ourselves was outrageous.  I hope we can turn something around before our next game.  It will make the outcome something these boys haven't experienced, in anything.  Success!! A win!  Victory!  And I can not wait!