Hello from India

I used to volunteer for Alliance for International Women's Rights. I worked with two teenagers over Skype and taught them English as a Second Language. One of the girls, A., eventually graduated from high school in Afghanistan and went to India for university. She left a nice message for me when I was on Skype:

hi hi hi hi

how are you ???

hope you remember me:)

sorry for not contacting you for a long time, i really wanted to talked to you after my classes was finished..... and i had to finish them because I got my India scholarship and had to come over her.

The day i got this great new i wanted to tell because you were the one who gave confidence and had faith on me, and told me i will pass it. I really miss my Skype calsses with you, hope I have those classes once again......:)

Take care won't take you much time i am sure you might be busy.

A.

I really love the program. It is such an interesting way to connect with a stranger on the other side of the world!

Overcoming Your Fears

I bought this decorative panel ($22) on my last day in Hawaii. That was five days ago.

I think back to six years ago, when I was backpacking in Vietnam, I turned down the chance to try surfing. And for many years of my life, I said that I didn't like the ocean, that I wasn't a water baby and I wasn't a good swimmer. I made lots of excuses not to have fun. I never thought I'd ever try surfing in my life.

This trip to Hawaii finally gave me the chance to slowly fall in love with everything. Having the chance to attempt something again and again, in a safe environment, with lots of support, until you hit your flow and begin to attain mastery*. After nine days, I had an amazing time and felt comfortable snorkelling, skin diving and surfing. And I wish I could do it some more!**

I couldn't believe how quickly I picked up surfing! It was such a thrilling feeling, just cruising out on the surfboard and having a blast. I was standing by the second try. It helped to have a good instructor, T.; he always got me focused by asking me, "Are you ready?" and waiting for my vehement affirmation before he pushed me forward to catch a wave.

It felt good to overcome my fear and lack of confidence and leave Hawaii with surfboard rash, salt on my skin and a smile on my face. 

 

*An amazing audiobook that I've been listening to. A must-read, whether you work in a school or an office.

**I've avoiding learning how to SCUBA. I can't believe that I passed up so many opportunities considering how many world-class dive sites I've visited throughout southeast Asia.

Journey of Nishiyuu

I didn't realize until yesterday that half a dozen of the students I worked with last year in Whapmagoostui were on this trek!

Cree youth walk for Idle No More gains more participants
Youngest participant is 11-year-old girl, Abby Masty
 CBC News Posted: Feb 4, 2013 12:21 PM CST Last Updated: Feb 4, 2013 1:05 PM CST

Saturday

Decided to show the new staff member, T., around town. We drove about 30 km out of Chisasibi, over the LG1 dam around sunset and then returned to town, had dinner at the local restaurant. It was nice to eat out - it had probably been the 5th time I'd eaten out over the past 3 months. There was a $30 four-course special. I had goat-cheese ravioli while T. got boar and apple. The sides were tasty, tomato with butter and parmesan, rice and fried zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. There was beaver tail for dessert too!

Receiving Thanks

Teachers don't often hear their students show appreciation, so when they do, it means a lot.

Mock Exam #2

G. and I marked some of the exams. We promised $10 iTunes card for 10% increase from the first exam, $20 for 20%. So far, it looks like I have to buy the following number of gift certificates:

5 x $5
3 x $10
3 x $15
4 x $20

And the GREATEST improvement goes to one of my favourite kids, E.! Wow, what a great way to start the weekend.

Teaching Independence

Today, I spent an entire period teaching about parts per million (ppm). I broke down step-by-step every detail on how convert from basic ppm (1g / 1 000 000 g) to how it can be 1 mg / L to or even 1 mg / 1 kg. I went slow and steady for everyone. A lot of them felt much better about it. I'm glad I did the class.

At the end of the day, 5 students came out to try a few more questions.

As they worked, they wanted me each to look at their individual answers. Up here, a lot of kids have a sense of learned helplessness. It's easy to get in the habit of coddling them - even if you're running around the room, getting a calculator for them or flipping the textbook to the right page just to make a class go quicker - and I know I need to stop doing. These are Secondary V students after all! Some are mature students, the oldest one at 20!

As I was making fruit smoothies for them and they were all whining for me to come over, I told them to check their answers with each other. They looked at me as if it was a strange idea. When I finally convinced them to do so, they all turned to me and said, somewhat surprised and still unsure of themselves, "We got the same number." I replied, "Well, you all did it right and don't need me now!" They must have felt proud but didn't feel entirely confident they were actually correct.

Many of the students here have low confidence and would never even think of checking their neighbour's answer. Why would you cheat if your buddy doesn't even know if he has the right answer?! Part of my job is to teach them to become independent, especially if they want to success and go to colleges next year. The professor is probably not even going to know your name, let alone come up to your desk and help you with your work.