Since my last post, quite a bit has happened. The school has had Christmas parties, movies, and concerts. However, it is quite a different concert than anything I have ever been involved in. The little kids sang some Christmas carols, let by my boy Marcfrid, one of the students. He was quite possibly the cutest kid I have ever watched direct a choir, and actually did a very good job. I was quite impressed! The middle school wrote a play and did it. It was about thieves coming and stealing presents from a families house. Pretty weak if you ask me, but for writing it in the morning and presenting it in the afternoon, it was quite well. I just wish they wouldn't always procrastinate to the last second to do something that could be quite good. Also, five middle school boys decided to remake a "Boyz II Men" Christmas song and dance to it. Once again, I was quite impressed. This, however, is most likely because in the culture I came from, no one really dances, or shakes their hips like these kids do. So I am constantly finding myself impressed by what they can do. High schoolers read poems and elementary kids must have forgot it was Christmas. They didn't prepare anything, but did devour all the food that was brought for everyone.
Finals were also given in the past week, so many students were complaining. For my students, I have never been so happy with them. After giving a spelling final with all the words from the year, I was a little worried to grade it. On a normal test, I would have drained my entire pen with red marks so this is what I was prepared for. However, after two, very lengthy finals, I handed out one F and the rest were A's and B's. For once, my boys took their time, didn't talk, and focused on a test, trying to get the best possible grade.
Today was my last day at YLC, which was only a half day. Of course, there was no learning going on, being the day before a huge break. Knowing this, half the parents didn't even send their children to school. Therefore, it seemed quite empty. I played a few games with my boys, gave them some word searches to keep them busy, and tried to do an English lesson with them, but who am I kidding? They weren't having it. After a few good laughs and a movie, it was time to bid the boys I have grown to love goodbye. While I hate them in school, I love them to death, but I have come to figure this is how it works in the life of a teacher. You have to love your kids, and letting them go is very hard, but I know it isn't over. I will see them again!
After school was over, the teachers and staff had prepared a big "Christmas" party, however, when I entered, everyone was there yelling surprise with a big "Happy Birthday" sign hanging and birthday decorations everyone. A large white cake even added a nice touch of flavor that said, "Happy Birthday Mr. Isaac and Farewell." Dang I hate that word. Just hearing it makes me tear up a bit. Farewell seems like forever, like something you say to someone who has died. Gifts were given to everyone for Christmas, but I felt like they just kept coming to me. I received a plaque that is more like a trophy thanking me for my dedication to the school the past semester. It really was a nice and thoughtful gift that I will take with me. I also was given a few bottles of wine and a cologne set. Maybe I smell weird to Haitian people? I don't know!!
As I said goodbyes and parted, I think back to all the amazing memories that have grown in my mind. I take many memories and pictures back with me to help me continue to grow through my experience here in Miami and Little Haiti. I will be back! I know I will. To teach at Yvonne? I do not know. I can not rule that out, but I know that some day in my life, I will be living back in this community! There is no doubt in my mind.
I now stay here in Miami to reflect on my experience and wind down everything that has happened in the past four months. Where has all my time gone here? I never thought I would get to the day that I was writing about my last day at Yvonne Learning Center, yet, here it is. As I continue on through my journey I will take everything that I have experienced and use it to help guide my on my path through life. I have experienced something not many people have got to experience. I have done this and more. I have lived..and I have experienced first hand.....Little Haiti!
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