WHY TEACHERS TEACH

Facebook  09/21/2012

WHY TEACHERS TEACH

We get to experience, perhaps more than those in any other profession, the joy of "seeing the light come on."

Tuesday in Top Class, when I was asked if I could add to the reading lesson by writing a story with lesson vocabulary, I wrote "Top Cat," which the children memorized and copied.

Wednesday when I was asked to add to the lesson, I took a deep breath, said a small prayer, and answered, "Yes, but I would like to try something just a little different today." I then spent 15 minutes using sound-blending techniques from the Dubard Association Method with 46 children, well-taught with sight words but not quite "really reading." 

I wish all of you could have seen their faces when ten of them realized, 

"I know how to read."         YES! 

And then their teachers realized what was happening. YES! 

And then their reading teacher said later," I want to learn how to do that. If you teach me, I can teach all of them every year."            YES! 

And then Thursday she said, "Would you be free on a Saturday to do a workshop with the Top Class teachers from all four of our schools?"             YES! 

And then today she said, "A head teacher said we could include teachers from Baby Class, Top Class, P1, P2, and P3 from our four schools."             YES!

Dancing in the sunshine with tears of joy today!

Amanda Stegenga Hunter That is so wonderful! Brightened my day. :-)
Friday at 5:43pm via mobile · Like · 4

Johnnie Quick Phelps It just doesn't get much better than that!! I'm so proud for you!

Pam McMillan How wonderful! Made my heart melt :)
Friday at 11:45pm · Like · 3

Deborah Hanson Awesome! What a blessing!
Yesterday at 4:01am via mobile · Like · 1

UPDATE  10/08/2012

An article titled "Retired ..... Not!" in the October Newsletter of TRUE IMPACT MINISTRIES includes the Facebook version of WHY TEACHERS TEACH.

40 PENCILS AND A RAZOR BLADE

                                          Top Class, Maranatha Primary School Mizigo, Mityana, Uganda

Facebook  09/18/2012  

FORTY PENCILS AND A RAZOR BLADE

Yesterday my first task as a volunteer teacher at Maranatha Primary School in Mityana, Uganda, was to pass out pencils to our 40 students in Top Class (ages 5-6). These students have graduated from Baby Class (ages 3-4) and write very well, with seat work copied from the chalkboard daily in three subjects. The two Top Class teachers, Madame Cathy and Madame Margaret, were impressed that we have both electric and mechanical pencil sharpeners in the USA. I was impressed by how well they teach, even after starting their day using a double-edge razor blade to sharpen at least 40 pencils. I am adding this skill to my repertoire of teaching skills, necessary since it works on all pencils. They are happy to have an extra pair of hands, and we all appreciate genuine wood pencils, well worth the extra cost.

Amanda Stegenga Hunter Want me to ship you some pencil sharpeners :-)
September 18 at 7:35pm via mobile · Like · 4

Update 10/08/2012

We are doing a good job of keeping up with the pencils using razor blades, along with small sharpeners that I brought with me, donated by members of Eastlawn United Methodist Church, Pascagoula, MS.  Next week two US visitors are coming, who may be able to bring us some regular classroom pencil sharpeners, at least one per school.  I have also located by internet a supply store in Kampala to visit later.  Top Class at Mizigo now has 49 students, and Baby Class has 53.  The top and baby classes at the other three primary schools are not as large. Older students take care of their own pencils at home (or in their dormitories), probably using razor blades, or use ballpoint pens. 

Update 10/27/2012

PENCIL SHARPENERS HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Donated by KidsUganda

Chairman Dave Andersen and Building Project Leader Dan Kaskubar of KidsUganda arrived last week for a previously-scheduled visit, bringing with them a special donation of 35 pencil sharpeners for Maranatha Schools.  I was very happy to meet Dave and Dan, and we all really appreciate the gift.

Since 2009, KidsUganda has provided many child sponsorships for the orphans at Maranatha, (sponsorships are $300 per year), along with other special projects for these children.  They built a beautiful dormitory for the girls in 2009 and for the boys in 2011, including showers and solar lights.

In 2007 they partnered with Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, IL Rotary Club and Drs. Larry and Ruth Shoemaker of Pascagoula, MS to build Maranatha Vocational High School in Mityana.

A NEW HOME

Facebook  09/14/2012

A NEW HOME 

The past three days have flown by ... very busy here this week. Spent Wednesday in Entebbe and Kampala running errands with Patrick and Eva Walusimbi, including getting a USB modem for my computer at the Orange store. Yesterday and today I "interviewed" with three school principals to see where I might be most useful to them and visited several classes. Their teacher workdays are from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. This evening Eva and I and grandchildren Gracious (4) and Fortunate (almost 3) walked to a Crusade (singing and preaching outdoor service) in the Mizigo village area of Mityana.

Anne Curtis Davidson So do they have Orange stores instead of Apple stores?!?
September 15 at 1:15am · Like · 1
Marilyn Vlahos Anne, they mix apples and oranges: you can get Apple stuff at the Orange stores.
September 15 at 1:19am · Like · 3

Update 10/06/2012

Life here is always busy and involving.  Schools and churches are centers of activity seven days a week, and something interesting is always happening. In addition to Sunday School and Church from 10-1 at Golgotha Missions Church across the street from home in Mizigo, my weekend activities have included the Rejoice Concert 2012 at a church on the far side of Mityana, filmed by one of the Kampala TV stations; visiting with older girls from the dormitory next door, including boarding students and orphans; a family birthday party for three one-year-old boy cousins; a teacher workshop; and household cleaning and laundry. 

I have now met with all five principals and have a basic schedule, subject to occasional delays and changes due to a variety of factors, including midterm exams, roads impassible due to rain, and family funerals (two since I have been here).

SCHEDULE

Mon:  6:30-8 Greet Students (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

8-1 Top Class (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

3-5 Computer Class (Maranatha Vocational HS)

Tues:  6:30-7:30 Greet Students (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

8-2 Rotate Classes (Maranatha Kyetume)

3-5 Computer Class (Maranatha Vocational HS)

Wed:  6:30-8 Greet Students (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

8-11 Top Class (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

12-5 Rotate Classes (Maranatha Primary Kigalama)

Thu: 6:30-7:30 Greet Students (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

8-2 Rotate Classes (Maranatha Primary Nkonya)

Fri: 6:30-8 Greet Students (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

8-1 Top Class (Maranatha Primary Mizigo)

DANCING IN THE SUNSHINE WITH TEARS OF JOY

Teaching and Learning in Uganda with Marilyn Vlahos

When I first learned, on a gray January day in Mississippi, that I might really be able to teach in Africa this year, I knew I was already “dancing in the sunshine.”  About two weeks later, when I heard that I would be flying to Uganda on my birthday in March with a team from True Impact Ministries to help build two classrooms in Kigalama for Maranatha Schools, as well as visit five schools and three orphanages, I was truly “dancing in the sunshine with tears of joy.” 

This VACATION WITH A PURPOSE was all that I had hoped and prayed for and more.  I came home with a focused sense of renewal and purpose, and the feeling of joy that comes with listening to and answering one of those unexpected calls that God sends our way from time to time.  This summer I began planning with True Impact Ministries to spend the fall school term as a volunteer teacher/consultant with Maranatha schools in Mityana, Uganda, something that I hope to continue for many years.

Since leaving home on September 10, I’ve been communicating with family and friends through Facebook and iPhone text.  However, this recent FB reminder from youngest grandchild Emma, now officially a teenager, has prompted me to be more active and officially start a blog.  

Emma Hunter That was a long status! I didn't think you could type that much in a post! Last time I tried to type a lot, like 300 words, it didn't post. Sorry but I didn't read it.
Wednesday at 11:33pm via mobile · Like · 2

Marilyn Vlahos Emma, thanks for looking at it. I should be like Susannah and use a blog for long stuff, but I just haven't done that yet.
Wednesday at 11:38pm · Like · 1

Amanda Stegenga Hunter Awesome! (gotta love Emma)
Thursday at 3:36am via mobile · Like · 2

Yesterday I also joined Linkedin (Marilyn Vlahos: Teacher/Writer) and will post a link there.  I’ll continue to post HOME LIFE pictures and brief comments regularly on Facebook but will use this blog for more in-depth (and sometimes boring) discussion on a variety of professional and personal issues, with a link and brief comment on FB.  The first few posts here will be “reruns” from FB, with some additional updates.

DANCING IN THE SUNSHINE  .......  WITH TEARS OF JOY