Hanging Out

Hanging Out

I got to spend some time with Zaina and Jana at the local mall today. We went to a nice restaurant and they gave me a beautiful buttoned scarf their mother had made me. After lunch, we got ice cream cones. It was a nice change up from my routine. From here, it will be pretty busy for the next week :)

Leisurely Day

Leisurely Day

Today was a very slow and easy day. I woke up early, had breakfast, and took a long walk. I caught up on some emails, worked on a few proposals, then went over to Alaa's house for lunch. Although calling it lunch is sorta like calling a Ferrari a family car. We had fun and I caught up with her family and Fufu who was fresh back from Germany. Tomorrow will be a more productive day, but I did recharge a lot of batteries today :)

Looking at cake decorating stuff

My most recent food coma

Source of said food coma

Hanging out with the crew

With Alaa's father,m brother-in-law, and neice

It's Almost The Weekend

It's Almost the Weekend

Actually, it is. It is Thursday night here and that is equivalent to Friday night in the states. I had another very good day. I observed another teacher who did a great job and met with a team to plan an new English Club for the school. I was invited down to the kindergarten to watch a puppet show about civics. It was a lot of fun and I was amazed at the passion and energy of the teachers and students alike. Later in the morning, I was afforded the privilege of stamping the excellent work of several students in the principals office. Here at Arar, the principal is really their "pal." I went back to the Yemeni restaurant for a late lunch, then met Alaa and Duaa for coffee at the insanely crowded McDonalds down the street from my hotel. Perhaps a Youtube movie (maybe Sherlock Holmes), then it is bedtime for Bonzo!

Day Four

Day Four

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, possibly because I was so stuffed :)  Today was very active - I observed a few classes and I met the new music teacher. When I observe classes, I usually ask the teacher to give me two small lists: The things they do well as a teacher and the things they would like to be better at. Being back in an elementary setting is invigorating if not somewhat chaotic. The first teacher I observed was very experienced and did a very good job in her math class. The second teacher was very new and had an interesting experience teaching English to a group of first graders. She hung in there and made progress - a tough assignment for anyone :)  I keep coming back to the realization that teaching children this age is life changing - for the students and for us. They are so absorbent, energetic, and curious. A lot of caring and a little good teaching goes so far. I keep reflecting back to a billionaire I once worked for who thinks these kids will end up hating him. I fear the hatred he perceives is only his own.

After I observed the first grade class, I was told that the students loved me (couldn't tell in class) so the teacher sent them down to me in twos for me to give them treats. It was a fun, formal gesture that they enjoyed.

Still using the MVCC materials for special occasions

Out for schwarma

Day Three

Day Three

It was another productive and fun day. The students are getting used to me and I am getting a lot of smiles and fist bumps. I am working with four of the English and math teachers and will observe them over the next few days. Alaa and I met with Samer this morning. She is an amazing young entrepreneur who provides programming for schools. She will collaborate with Alaa, Nina, and Carmela on the Women's Leadership Conference this summer. This evening, I went to Alaa's sister's house for dinner with her family. It was an amazing spread (pics tomorrow) and the food and drink just kept coming. It was a good time catching up and the kids kept us busy. I am always amazed at the cohesiveness of Arab families. It really is wonderful dynamic. I am back at the hotel late, full and happy. 

The future of Irbid education :)  Alaa and Samer

First Course!

One of the fours salads :)

Day Two

Day Two

I had a very active day today. First, I visited the kindergarten class and did some work with Bana, one of our special needs children. Getting down on the floor is easy, getting back up, well that is another story. I observed a few classes, taught a small lesson in and English class. and talked to a few of the English teachers about upcoming observations and perhaps an English Club. I got to take pictures with all the children receiving their merit certificates. That was fun. Zaina and Jana brought me two nice notes and a banana. It is amazing how great teachers aren't afraid of observations :)  After school, I went back to the Yemeni restaurant for lunch and then Alaa and I attended a presentation for principals on Mental Math at a conference center. It was good to talk to her outside the school - at school there are a hundred distractions. We began to map out some strategies for the summer.

Working on counting with Bana

Approval :)

Calling them out :)

Things are warming up (but not the weather) and I am finding my groove again. Lots of fluidity here and that can be my element. Looking forward to tomorrow!

*On a funny note - some of the teachers were giggling, afraid to ask me a question. When they finally summoned the courage, they asked me how old I was. Afterwards, Alaa explained that they thought I was "very active for my age" and that I should take it as a compliment

First Day Back

First Day

The flights were good and I did manage to get some sleep. Sat next to an anaesthesiologist on the plane from Iowa. We had a good conversation. She told me her first job was detasseling corn. A new one on me. The layover in Instanbul was good - I got a shower and I lingered at the olive bar longer than I should have. I hit some golf balls in the simulation room and had a fun discussion from a young staff member who dreams of playing in the NBA. I got into Amman at midnight and Mohammed (Alaa's brother) drove me to Irbid. I got to sleep around 3am and then went to school at 7:30am. It was the first day back for the students and it was a lot of fun. It is chilly and raining here, but they all seem to persevere.
It was so good to see everyone again - the atmosphere is wonderful. The teachers get it, the students love it, and the community is starting to understand. The new teachers I met are excited and we will dive into programs tomorrow morning.  I had a long day, but got back to my hotel and grabbed some Yemeni food (did I mention that there is a great Yemeni restaurant at the base of my hotel?) After a few hours of sleep, I am back at it :)

Jana (left) and Zaina, the two young ladies we sponsor at the school received some school supplies from the staff. 

I was very pleased that my fistbump is still part of the culture

I got to visit all the classes. The students really love this school

This is Suad, cake-maker extraordinaire! Carmela sent her some supplies and she was over the moon

I'm back!