September 8, 2003
I thought I’d write as as a way of passing the time today as I recover from a case of food poisoning. I don’t know why it happened, I didn’t eat the horse meat that was served at the party for Megan’s host grandfather’s 80th birthday, but I got sick anyway. Maybe we were cursed. We offended everyone at the party because our toast was too short (when it’s your turn at the microphone you have to talk for at least 5 minutes, and I guess you aren’t forgiven if you shorten it a bit due to your lack of fluency in Kyrgyz) and we left the party early (at 1AM!), before the first course was even served.
All three of our Creative Arts Weeks were a big success- sorry if I’m repeating myself, I can’t remember what I’ve told you- and then I traveled around Issyk-Kol, the big lake here, with my friend Loren. We lounged on the beach with all the Russians and Kazaks (Kyrgyz people can’t really afford vacations) and had our picture taken with a camel, though it did pee on my leg. It was good to see different parts of the country, and different volunteers’ situations. Issyk-Kol was pretty civilized, which has prompted Loren to begin referring to our Talas Oblast as “the butt crack of Kyrgyzstan.” I love Talas, really.
The first week of school was funny. Half of the teachers and students didn’t show up because they are all busy harvesting beans, and I didn’t find out what classes I’d be teaching until two days before the first day. There is still no fixed schedule, so everyday I find out who I’ll be teaching when I show up at school.
Other fiascos this summer included my family’s snooping in my room on my desk and finding my money. I’ll admit that I had it in an open place, but the result was my host mother’s brilliant idea that they just hold all my money for me and take it from them when I need it. Right. A friend and neighbor also asked for a loan, which I gave with reluctance, after a struggle between my conscience and my better sense, but she does seem to want to pay it back. She is also my new Russian teacher- she is going to teach me Russian maybe twice a week. I figured that there will be no better time for me to learn Russian, what with all the practice I can get watching quality programs on television like Russian Survivor and Jacky Chan movies dubbed into Russian.
I thought I’d write as as a way of passing the time today as I recover from a case of food poisoning. I don’t know why it happened, I didn’t eat the horse meat that was served at the party for Megan’s host grandfather’s 80th birthday, but I got sick anyway. Maybe we were cursed. We offended everyone at the party because our toast was too short (when it’s your turn at the microphone you have to talk for at least 5 minutes, and I guess you aren’t forgiven if you shorten it a bit due to your lack of fluency in Kyrgyz) and we left the party early (at 1AM!), before the first course was even served.
All three of our Creative Arts Weeks were a big success- sorry if I’m repeating myself, I can’t remember what I’ve told you- and then I traveled around Issyk-Kol, the big lake here, with my friend Loren. We lounged on the beach with all the Russians and Kazaks (Kyrgyz people can’t really afford vacations) and had our picture taken with a camel, though it did pee on my leg. It was good to see different parts of the country, and different volunteers’ situations. Issyk-Kol was pretty civilized, which has prompted Loren to begin referring to our Talas Oblast as “the butt crack of Kyrgyzstan.” I love Talas, really.
The first week of school was funny. Half of the teachers and students didn’t show up because they are all busy harvesting beans, and I didn’t find out what classes I’d be teaching until two days before the first day. There is still no fixed schedule, so everyday I find out who I’ll be teaching when I show up at school.
Other fiascos this summer included my family’s snooping in my room on my desk and finding my money. I’ll admit that I had it in an open place, but the result was my host mother’s brilliant idea that they just hold all my money for me and take it from them when I need it. Right. A friend and neighbor also asked for a loan, which I gave with reluctance, after a struggle between my conscience and my better sense, but she does seem to want to pay it back. She is also my new Russian teacher- she is going to teach me Russian maybe twice a week. I figured that there will be no better time for me to learn Russian, what with all the practice I can get watching quality programs on television like Russian Survivor and Jacky Chan movies dubbed into Russian.
September 4, 2003
A guest was here for a few days to sew tushuks (the long, mat-like cushions that everyone has to sit on) for us the other day, and I saw her sewing the heavy material with a spoon as a thimble, and had admire the ingenuity.
I can’t remember if I said in the letter that my host mother had this brilliant idea that she would keep all my money for me. They found my money in my room while I was away- it’s true I hadn’t hidden it well- and Kesheemjan first hit me up for a loan, which she did pay back right away, and then suggested that they keep all my money for me and I just ask for it when I need it. Yeah right. So much for my happiness about them wanting me for me and not my money. Anyway, I pretended I didn’t understand and brushed it off. Another experience to drive me crazy.
Today was day three of classes. I’m teaching 7a, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 10a, and 11a. I managed to get a smaller number of classes, two classes meet four times a week (something I fought for), three meet three times a week, and only two classes (8b and 8c) meet two times a week. So it will be better. I haven’t met the 8b and 8c classes yet. I’ve only taught two or three classes per day. The school isn’t running at full capacity due to a high number of teacher and student absences. Everyone is out getting the crops in. This week it seems to be beans. Still, I’ve had a very good week. All of the classes seem very interested in learning, and I am also more relaxed and realistic about what can and should get done in a 40-minute class period. I’m also more confident about enforcing my will to be done. Ha. Especially when it comes to getting kids to talk more in groups or pairs, something that is completely foreign to them. Rather than rushing to get through all the units in my quarter plan, I’m going to change the plan if classes get cancelled and students don’t learn the material, even if it only means getting through one unit. I also think it will be all much easier because I’m not trying to get 11th grade boys who can’t write the alphabet to talk about their favorite color anymore, I have much more eager and willing younger students. It’s also really great to have those 15 textbooks on hand. It’s not so hard to plan when you have an example of grammar points that are organized into topics and units, rather than me having to make everything up. We also won’t have to waste so much time copying praticy things about by hand, I can do things like say “do the fill in the blanks exercise on p.12.”
You will read in the letter about how I wrestled a bit with my conscience about whether or not to give Rosa, my neighbor who has been teaching me a bit of Russian, a loan of 1000 soms. I ended up giving it to her, and I think it was the right decision. She has since come to give me another lesson (she’s going to give me the lessons for free instead of me paying her- Peace Corps reimburses me for these lessons), so I think she is serious about paying me back. She said that since I helped her out, she will help me out. She brought me over a plate of bean salad (YUM) and invited me over for a dinner of bean manty. Manty is a steamed dumpling dish. The dumplings are normally filled with meat and onions and lots of fat, usually sheep fat. Sometimes they are so greasy that when you bite into them grease runs down your arm. Rosa, however, is relatively poor, so she makes a lot of the Kyrgyz dishes with alternate ingredients. The bean manty was SO GOOD. I wish my family were a little bit poorer so we could eat bean manty, too. I’ve been spending a good deal of time with my host sister, Chinara, who has been playing hooky from her studies in Bishkek this week to help out at home. She came to the bean manty dinner too, and we chatted with Rosa, her husband, and her three sons, who kind of lurked around with interest, but were too shy to talk. (One of her sons, Almaz, was at the camp.) I told Rosa about how much I loved beans and how good for you they are, and how lots of people in America don’t eat meat for health reasons, which of course she loved to hear. She showed me her photo album, which included pictures of her wedding. I wish I could show you these old black and white photos that everyone has- a treasure trove of the weirdness of Soviet/central Asian culture. It was nice to be neighborly. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her. Today I walked to the post office, and stopped in for tea at Essengul’s. Aizada’s family saw me and handed me lots of apples that they had just picked, and I chatted with another former neighbor on Manas Street. Yesterday when I was walking by Nargeeza’s house, she invited me in for lunch with her family, which was nice. They speak to me with fondness, but we don’t have much to talk about. I haven’t been to their house yet when Gulzada has not started to cry about Almaz. It isn’t easy for them. I’m glad they don’t appear to have any hurt feelings about my leaving.
I invited Chinara on a walk yesterday, and we walked to the school where she showed me a plum tree, and a cherry-like tree. They were small like cherries but tasted more like plums. We feasted, then walked home past the springs and winding streams that come out of them. The weather has been gorgeous, breezy and warm. The afternoons still get really hot, but the evenings are cold enough to remind you about winter. I have been running in the mornings, yay! My running is still a big topic of conversation. I have to do it now before the sun gets over the mountains if I want to be on time for school. One of the teachers reproached me for this. Something about how it’s not good for the body to be out before the sun.
All of these good village happenings bode well for the upcoming winter. It won’t seem so dark and dreary this time, I think.
Mirbek, my most motivated 11th grader, tells me he wants to study at the American University in Bishkek, a nearly impossible goal for him, especially because even if he got in by some miracle, he’d have to place high enough in the entrance exams to get a scholarship. He’s chances are even lower due to the fact that a lot of getting into that university has to do with who you know and/or how much money you can pay in bribes. But I remembered my father’s advice and told him it was good to set high goals, just that he should have a backup plan.
Monday was Elderbek’s first day of school, and also the teacher’s holiday. Because of these two events, my parents invited all of the teachers to our house for a big party. Much food and vodka was had by all. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the teachers, who are all extremely friendly and even more so when inebriated. I also enjoyed the fact that I could go take breaks in my room when I had to, and didn’t have to sit there for all six hours. I remembered with some sadness that I had attended a similar party for Almaz in January at my first house. There will be lots of festivities for Elderbek this year. Apparently, this is the year he gets circumcised. Wee ha. Poor kid.
I think that’s all the news for now. I would like to request for my kids at Christmas another frisbee. The one you sent before got shattered. Between the money requests by Rosa and Kesheemjan, which made me violently angry/upset, and the delightful neighborly experiences this week, which made me rich in kindness, I don’t know which side of the fine line between loving and hating this place, passionately, I am on.
A guest was here for a few days to sew tushuks (the long, mat-like cushions that everyone has to sit on) for us the other day, and I saw her sewing the heavy material with a spoon as a thimble, and had admire the ingenuity.
I can’t remember if I said in the letter that my host mother had this brilliant idea that she would keep all my money for me. They found my money in my room while I was away- it’s true I hadn’t hidden it well- and Kesheemjan first hit me up for a loan, which she did pay back right away, and then suggested that they keep all my money for me and I just ask for it when I need it. Yeah right. So much for my happiness about them wanting me for me and not my money. Anyway, I pretended I didn’t understand and brushed it off. Another experience to drive me crazy.
Today was day three of classes. I’m teaching 7a, 8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 10a, and 11a. I managed to get a smaller number of classes, two classes meet four times a week (something I fought for), three meet three times a week, and only two classes (8b and 8c) meet two times a week. So it will be better. I haven’t met the 8b and 8c classes yet. I’ve only taught two or three classes per day. The school isn’t running at full capacity due to a high number of teacher and student absences. Everyone is out getting the crops in. This week it seems to be beans. Still, I’ve had a very good week. All of the classes seem very interested in learning, and I am also more relaxed and realistic about what can and should get done in a 40-minute class period. I’m also more confident about enforcing my will to be done. Ha. Especially when it comes to getting kids to talk more in groups or pairs, something that is completely foreign to them. Rather than rushing to get through all the units in my quarter plan, I’m going to change the plan if classes get cancelled and students don’t learn the material, even if it only means getting through one unit. I also think it will be all much easier because I’m not trying to get 11th grade boys who can’t write the alphabet to talk about their favorite color anymore, I have much more eager and willing younger students. It’s also really great to have those 15 textbooks on hand. It’s not so hard to plan when you have an example of grammar points that are organized into topics and units, rather than me having to make everything up. We also won’t have to waste so much time copying praticy things about by hand, I can do things like say “do the fill in the blanks exercise on p.12.”
You will read in the letter about how I wrestled a bit with my conscience about whether or not to give Rosa, my neighbor who has been teaching me a bit of Russian, a loan of 1000 soms. I ended up giving it to her, and I think it was the right decision. She has since come to give me another lesson (she’s going to give me the lessons for free instead of me paying her- Peace Corps reimburses me for these lessons), so I think she is serious about paying me back. She said that since I helped her out, she will help me out. She brought me over a plate of bean salad (YUM) and invited me over for a dinner of bean manty. Manty is a steamed dumpling dish. The dumplings are normally filled with meat and onions and lots of fat, usually sheep fat. Sometimes they are so greasy that when you bite into them grease runs down your arm. Rosa, however, is relatively poor, so she makes a lot of the Kyrgyz dishes with alternate ingredients. The bean manty was SO GOOD. I wish my family were a little bit poorer so we could eat bean manty, too. I’ve been spending a good deal of time with my host sister, Chinara, who has been playing hooky from her studies in Bishkek this week to help out at home. She came to the bean manty dinner too, and we chatted with Rosa, her husband, and her three sons, who kind of lurked around with interest, but were too shy to talk. (One of her sons, Almaz, was at the camp.) I told Rosa about how much I loved beans and how good for you they are, and how lots of people in America don’t eat meat for health reasons, which of course she loved to hear. She showed me her photo album, which included pictures of her wedding. I wish I could show you these old black and white photos that everyone has- a treasure trove of the weirdness of Soviet/central Asian culture. It was nice to be neighborly. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her. Today I walked to the post office, and stopped in for tea at Essengul’s. Aizada’s family saw me and handed me lots of apples that they had just picked, and I chatted with another former neighbor on Manas Street. Yesterday when I was walking by Nargeeza’s house, she invited me in for lunch with her family, which was nice. They speak to me with fondness, but we don’t have much to talk about. I haven’t been to their house yet when Gulzada has not started to cry about Almaz. It isn’t easy for them. I’m glad they don’t appear to have any hurt feelings about my leaving.
I invited Chinara on a walk yesterday, and we walked to the school where she showed me a plum tree, and a cherry-like tree. They were small like cherries but tasted more like plums. We feasted, then walked home past the springs and winding streams that come out of them. The weather has been gorgeous, breezy and warm. The afternoons still get really hot, but the evenings are cold enough to remind you about winter. I have been running in the mornings, yay! My running is still a big topic of conversation. I have to do it now before the sun gets over the mountains if I want to be on time for school. One of the teachers reproached me for this. Something about how it’s not good for the body to be out before the sun.
All of these good village happenings bode well for the upcoming winter. It won’t seem so dark and dreary this time, I think.
Mirbek, my most motivated 11th grader, tells me he wants to study at the American University in Bishkek, a nearly impossible goal for him, especially because even if he got in by some miracle, he’d have to place high enough in the entrance exams to get a scholarship. He’s chances are even lower due to the fact that a lot of getting into that university has to do with who you know and/or how much money you can pay in bribes. But I remembered my father’s advice and told him it was good to set high goals, just that he should have a backup plan.
Monday was Elderbek’s first day of school, and also the teacher’s holiday. Because of these two events, my parents invited all of the teachers to our house for a big party. Much food and vodka was had by all. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the teachers, who are all extremely friendly and even more so when inebriated. I also enjoyed the fact that I could go take breaks in my room when I had to, and didn’t have to sit there for all six hours. I remembered with some sadness that I had attended a similar party for Almaz in January at my first house. There will be lots of festivities for Elderbek this year. Apparently, this is the year he gets circumcised. Wee ha. Poor kid.
I think that’s all the news for now. I would like to request for my kids at Christmas another frisbee. The one you sent before got shattered. Between the money requests by Rosa and Kesheemjan, which made me violently angry/upset, and the delightful neighborly experiences this week, which made me rich in kindness, I don’t know which side of the fine line between loving and hating this place, passionately, I am on.
September 1, 2003
(part of the progress report submitted to Peace Corps)
Part one: Technical Report
One successful aspect of my experience in teaching has been seeing the interest and effort of many of my students increase. The English level at my school is quite low, but I’ve seen some students gain confidence in ability to carry on a conversation in English.
· What teaching challenges have you had and what can you do to address these?
Two major challenges for me are the lack of English materials of any kind at my school, as well as my personal lack of experience or training in TEFL. I found it to be extremely difficult to plan lessons and curriculums, i.e., by making grammar points and vocabulary fit into coherent units and lessons. It was also hard to find time-efficient ways to expose my students to quality reading and grammar practice.
I have addressed these problems in several ways. First, I was able to acquire 15 “Headway” textbooks for use in by my students. These books have helped me better plan curriculums for my students, by giving examples of ways to combine grammar and topics. Also, these books are making it easier for my students to practice and master newly acquired language before moving on to more open activities. Second, I attended the teacher conference in August led by the Lingua trainers, which helped review the principles of teaching communicatively.
I also plan to address the lack of books at my school by working with the director and teachers at my school to improve our library by acquiring more English resources, such as books and cassettes for English study.
“Working with colleagues to build local capacity (Teacher Training)”
Though I have not participated in formal situations to train teachers, I believe that the casual contacts I have made with many teachers have not been without value. Many, though not all, of my colleagues at school take little interest in making their classes interesting for their students, and tend to complete only the bare minimum requirements of their jobs. I feel that I have set some good examples: I attend class punctually and on a regular basis, I’ve made my classroom visually more conducive to learning, and I have a positive attitude and expectations toward teaching. These small things may have made some teachers think twice about the potential of their roles as teachers.
· What successes have you had working with your colleagues?
I don’t see my counterpart on a daily basis, but I enjoy working with her. She is helpful and friendly, and is my ally when I try to get things moving in the sluggish school administration. I also am excited to be discussing with one of the non-English teachers the possibility of writing a SPA grant proposal for a banya in our village. She has some experience with grant writing, and we plan on working on the project this winter. She would also like to participate in the project to improve our school library.
· What challenges have you had working with your colleagues and what can you do to address these?
The biggest challenge has been the slowness and lack of interest of my director to collaborate on projects. My counterpart too has little extra time or inclination to contribute to projects, though she does help me work with the administration. As a result, I have been the main initiator of projects at school. For example, the school provided little help for our camp project in terms of making the school available or donating teacher time. I hope to address this problem by working more with other teachers.
“Community Outreach programs”
· What successes have you had with community outreach programs?
The Creative Arts Week project was a success in the three villages where the camp was held.
Students learned about crafts from different cultures of the world and had the opportunity to develop their own creativity by making different crafts. The activities were conducted in English, so the students had the chance to work on their English language skills by interacting with several volunteers. Students had a respite from heavy field work. Many students are asking if next year’s camp can be for a month instead of a week.
One other positive side effect of the camp was getting the attention of our communities. At the end of the week we invited parents and the community to a talent show, where they looked at the crafts produced by the students and watched student performances. I believe that this gave more parents a chance to meet me and get a better idea of what I’m doing here. Since the camp, my director too has been more receptive to ideas for other projects.
· What challenges have you had with community outreach programs and what can you do to address these?
The biggest challenge with our camp was the lack of support from our schools. In all three villages, there were problems with the availability of the schools, though we had obtained approval far in advance. In Amanbaev, the school was most supportive of the camp, but in Pokrovka we had to find a different site for the camp at the last minute. In Ming Bulak we had to conduct camp in our sock feet because the school forgot about the camp and decided to paint the floors two days before camp. We also had to rig up a new electricity supply because the school had not paid the bill. Another teacher helped us with this problem, but not my director.
I’m not sure what I can do to address this problem, other than communicate even more repetitively with my director about what I need from her.
Part Two: Language/Cross cultural issues
· Do you have a language tutor? What language are you studying and for how many hours each week? Do you feel you are making adequate progress?
I have a Kyrgyz language tutor who has only able to give irregular lessons, and I recently started taking lessons with another tutor as well who seems to have more time. During the school year I hope to have four hours of tutoring. I feel I have made adequate progress, but I also think I’ve hit a plateau and will have to apply myself to studying if I want to make progress. Tutoring is difficult because my teachers don’t speak English, so it’s hard to learn grammar points and make precise definitions of new vocabulary.
· Describe the cross-cultural issues you are encountering which influence, positively or negatively, your work and the manner in which you are addressing the issue.
Where to begin! At school, the hardest thing to deal with is the lack of organization at the beginning of the school year. I could not begin planning because I didn’t know what classes I would teach until two days before school started. There is still no fixed schedule, and only about half of the teachers and students are actually going to school. I’m dealing with this issue by taking things as they come and not worrying about it as much as I did last year. I’m not sure that this is the most productive way to deal with the problem, but I hope that at least my sanity will be in better health.
Another problem at school is the frequent student absences, schedule changes, and cancelled classes. All of these things impede student learning. I plan to deal with this problem by slowing down the pace of my units, so that fewer students are left behind, even if it means covering less material.
(part of the progress report submitted to Peace Corps)
Part one: Technical Report
One successful aspect of my experience in teaching has been seeing the interest and effort of many of my students increase. The English level at my school is quite low, but I’ve seen some students gain confidence in ability to carry on a conversation in English.
· What teaching challenges have you had and what can you do to address these?
Two major challenges for me are the lack of English materials of any kind at my school, as well as my personal lack of experience or training in TEFL. I found it to be extremely difficult to plan lessons and curriculums, i.e., by making grammar points and vocabulary fit into coherent units and lessons. It was also hard to find time-efficient ways to expose my students to quality reading and grammar practice.
I have addressed these problems in several ways. First, I was able to acquire 15 “Headway” textbooks for use in by my students. These books have helped me better plan curriculums for my students, by giving examples of ways to combine grammar and topics. Also, these books are making it easier for my students to practice and master newly acquired language before moving on to more open activities. Second, I attended the teacher conference in August led by the Lingua trainers, which helped review the principles of teaching communicatively.
I also plan to address the lack of books at my school by working with the director and teachers at my school to improve our library by acquiring more English resources, such as books and cassettes for English study.
“Working with colleagues to build local capacity (Teacher Training)”
Though I have not participated in formal situations to train teachers, I believe that the casual contacts I have made with many teachers have not been without value. Many, though not all, of my colleagues at school take little interest in making their classes interesting for their students, and tend to complete only the bare minimum requirements of their jobs. I feel that I have set some good examples: I attend class punctually and on a regular basis, I’ve made my classroom visually more conducive to learning, and I have a positive attitude and expectations toward teaching. These small things may have made some teachers think twice about the potential of their roles as teachers.
· What successes have you had working with your colleagues?
I don’t see my counterpart on a daily basis, but I enjoy working with her. She is helpful and friendly, and is my ally when I try to get things moving in the sluggish school administration. I also am excited to be discussing with one of the non-English teachers the possibility of writing a SPA grant proposal for a banya in our village. She has some experience with grant writing, and we plan on working on the project this winter. She would also like to participate in the project to improve our school library.
· What challenges have you had working with your colleagues and what can you do to address these?
The biggest challenge has been the slowness and lack of interest of my director to collaborate on projects. My counterpart too has little extra time or inclination to contribute to projects, though she does help me work with the administration. As a result, I have been the main initiator of projects at school. For example, the school provided little help for our camp project in terms of making the school available or donating teacher time. I hope to address this problem by working more with other teachers.
“Community Outreach programs”
· What successes have you had with community outreach programs?
The Creative Arts Week project was a success in the three villages where the camp was held.
Students learned about crafts from different cultures of the world and had the opportunity to develop their own creativity by making different crafts. The activities were conducted in English, so the students had the chance to work on their English language skills by interacting with several volunteers. Students had a respite from heavy field work. Many students are asking if next year’s camp can be for a month instead of a week.
One other positive side effect of the camp was getting the attention of our communities. At the end of the week we invited parents and the community to a talent show, where they looked at the crafts produced by the students and watched student performances. I believe that this gave more parents a chance to meet me and get a better idea of what I’m doing here. Since the camp, my director too has been more receptive to ideas for other projects.
· What challenges have you had with community outreach programs and what can you do to address these?
The biggest challenge with our camp was the lack of support from our schools. In all three villages, there were problems with the availability of the schools, though we had obtained approval far in advance. In Amanbaev, the school was most supportive of the camp, but in Pokrovka we had to find a different site for the camp at the last minute. In Ming Bulak we had to conduct camp in our sock feet because the school forgot about the camp and decided to paint the floors two days before camp. We also had to rig up a new electricity supply because the school had not paid the bill. Another teacher helped us with this problem, but not my director.
I’m not sure what I can do to address this problem, other than communicate even more repetitively with my director about what I need from her.
Part Two: Language/Cross cultural issues
· Do you have a language tutor? What language are you studying and for how many hours each week? Do you feel you are making adequate progress?
I have a Kyrgyz language tutor who has only able to give irregular lessons, and I recently started taking lessons with another tutor as well who seems to have more time. During the school year I hope to have four hours of tutoring. I feel I have made adequate progress, but I also think I’ve hit a plateau and will have to apply myself to studying if I want to make progress. Tutoring is difficult because my teachers don’t speak English, so it’s hard to learn grammar points and make precise definitions of new vocabulary.
· Describe the cross-cultural issues you are encountering which influence, positively or negatively, your work and the manner in which you are addressing the issue.
Where to begin! At school, the hardest thing to deal with is the lack of organization at the beginning of the school year. I could not begin planning because I didn’t know what classes I would teach until two days before school started. There is still no fixed schedule, and only about half of the teachers and students are actually going to school. I’m dealing with this issue by taking things as they come and not worrying about it as much as I did last year. I’m not sure that this is the most productive way to deal with the problem, but I hope that at least my sanity will be in better health.
Another problem at school is the frequent student absences, schedule changes, and cancelled classes. All of these things impede student learning. I plan to deal with this problem by slowing down the pace of my units, so that fewer students are left behind, even if it means covering less material.
