With the two week delay of school starting, all of the teachers, staff, and admin were anxiously awaiting for the first day to arrive. During the two week delay, God continued to show us that He had everything in control. While we are preparing for Accreditation this school year, we were able to knock out quite a bit of things needed during the two week block that we had. We were able to focus in our classrooms, come together as one family, and prepare for what was going to happen at Hinkson this school year. The two weeks were up and it was time to welcome new and old students back to school. I have never seen so much excitement, from the teachers and students, to start a new school year.
Kindergarten is full of life and energy, but also some more difficult challenges this year. I am still a new teacher to Hinkson but also to the teaching world in general. This is my third year teaching since college and my second year at Hinkson. I have the perfect size class of eight. Now to some of you, you may think, 'Wow, that is nothing compared to in the states when you have 25.' In that sense, you would be correct but what some of you don't understand is exactly what I deal with on a day to day basis. I may only have eight students but my eight students come from, America, Africa, and Russia. Three of my eight came in with extremely little to no English. One of my students is fluent in English and Russian but has never had to control when to use either. Then I have three students who are American who know no Russian and can't communicate with the other students. Out of the eight students that I have, only seven of them are here right now. We are awaiting the arrival of one my students who is having some Visa issues back in the states. Please pray that she can get here quickly, for I have one lonely girl who is surrounded by six full blown energized boys until she gets here. My class definitely keeps me busy all day, everyday. I am constantly on the move to encourage the students to only use English as much as possible. At first, my non-native speakers did not quite understand this concept but we are getting it and now discovering how to communicate in the classroom. There are a lot of hands on activities, acting, tears, and frustration when it comes to learning in the classroom.We are now going into our third week of school and my class is still motivated and just as energized as the first day of school. We have been working really hard on classroom behavior, direction, listening, and simple things such as: how to write our name, letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. As the teacher, I had to learn to be very patient and understanding of all of my students needs. By the end of the school day, I am fully drained but I still love my job.
In the first couple weeks of school, we already had some functions take place. The first Friday after school started we had our annual 'All School Picnic.' All of the parents brought a dish and we opened up the Gym and the Cafeteria (we had bad weather) and the school provided hotdogs and hamburgers. We were able to kick off the school year by getting to eat, mingle, and get to know each other a little more. Then a week after school started we had our annual PIE Night. (Partners in Education Night). The parents were able to come in the evening time and could attend up to four sessions including going to their child's class and get to hear more about what happens in the classroom. After all of the sessions were finished, we met upstairs and shared some tea and pie. It was a successful night for all. As we are getting into our third week of school, this week will be cut short, for the staff at Hinkson will be leaving for our Staff Retreat on Thursday afternoon. We will go out of Moscow and have a weekend of music, games, get to know each other, worship, and mini sessions. It will be a time of focus on what God has in store for us individually and as a Family at Hinkson.
I appreciate all of you who are faithful to reading and keeping up with this adventure here in Moscow. I ask for continued prayers for myself, the staff, the students, Hinkson community, and Moscow as we continue to pursue God's calling.
Kindergarten is full of life and energy, but also some more difficult challenges this year. I am still a new teacher to Hinkson but also to the teaching world in general. This is my third year teaching since college and my second year at Hinkson. I have the perfect size class of eight. Now to some of you, you may think, 'Wow, that is nothing compared to in the states when you have 25.' In that sense, you would be correct but what some of you don't understand is exactly what I deal with on a day to day basis. I may only have eight students but my eight students come from, America, Africa, and Russia. Three of my eight came in with extremely little to no English. One of my students is fluent in English and Russian but has never had to control when to use either. Then I have three students who are American who know no Russian and can't communicate with the other students. Out of the eight students that I have, only seven of them are here right now. We are awaiting the arrival of one my students who is having some Visa issues back in the states. Please pray that she can get here quickly, for I have one lonely girl who is surrounded by six full blown energized boys until she gets here. My class definitely keeps me busy all day, everyday. I am constantly on the move to encourage the students to only use English as much as possible. At first, my non-native speakers did not quite understand this concept but we are getting it and now discovering how to communicate in the classroom. There are a lot of hands on activities, acting, tears, and frustration when it comes to learning in the classroom.We are now going into our third week of school and my class is still motivated and just as energized as the first day of school. We have been working really hard on classroom behavior, direction, listening, and simple things such as: how to write our name, letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. As the teacher, I had to learn to be very patient and understanding of all of my students needs. By the end of the school day, I am fully drained but I still love my job.
In the first couple weeks of school, we already had some functions take place. The first Friday after school started we had our annual 'All School Picnic.' All of the parents brought a dish and we opened up the Gym and the Cafeteria (we had bad weather) and the school provided hotdogs and hamburgers. We were able to kick off the school year by getting to eat, mingle, and get to know each other a little more. Then a week after school started we had our annual PIE Night. (Partners in Education Night). The parents were able to come in the evening time and could attend up to four sessions including going to their child's class and get to hear more about what happens in the classroom. After all of the sessions were finished, we met upstairs and shared some tea and pie. It was a successful night for all. As we are getting into our third week of school, this week will be cut short, for the staff at Hinkson will be leaving for our Staff Retreat on Thursday afternoon. We will go out of Moscow and have a weekend of music, games, get to know each other, worship, and mini sessions. It will be a time of focus on what God has in store for us individually and as a Family at Hinkson.
I appreciate all of you who are faithful to reading and keeping up with this adventure here in Moscow. I ask for continued prayers for myself, the staff, the students, Hinkson community, and Moscow as we continue to pursue God's calling.
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