I was named Teacher of the Month
for September! It only took me 9 years,
that’s 90 months of teaching, to get named Teacher of the Month! Haha
Anyway, the point of this isn’t
that I was named Teacher of the Month, it’s that I work with some really amazing
teachers…
The reason our school has such a
profound effect on the students is because the teachers really care about their
students. The Belizean teachers I work
with are really great at what they do.
They are dedicated to the students and the mission of the school and
that dedication is very apparent.
And the
volunteer teachers... These volunteers
amaze me more and more each year. I am
so impressed they can do well down here with little to no teaching
experience. In honor of the Teacher of
the Month award I’m going to tell you about the 3 returning volunteer teachers
who I feel all deserve the award as much as I do, if not more so.
Shelby
Chavez. Shelby wins the Most Energetic
Teacher award. Somehow, this girl goes
into every class with a smile on her face and a boatload of energy (I have no
idea where she gets it). She has the
most hours of teaching, the most papers to grade, and the most kids with
attitude! And then, after all that… she
goes to teach Dance class 3 days a week!
Why? Because the girls love it
and it’s so good for them, that’s why!
When the volunteers come down here and leave their family, friends, and
1st world amenities for a year it’s just the beginning of the
sacrifices they’ll have to make. I see
Shelby sacrifice what she wants to do (hanging out, having fun, talking to
family, and sleeping in) for the sake of her students. And I see her make these sacrifices DAILY. She may get tired, but she endures and she
endures with joy! What a beautiful
witness you are, Shelby!
Lucia Muniz. Lucia wins the Most Involved Teacher
award. Although, she’s right behind
Shelby for the Most Energetic award!
Lucia and Shelby both teach Math and they both offer Saturday classes
for the students who are behind. We
have many students that used to hate Math and now LOVE it because of these two
teachers! That’s Lucia in the classroom,
and outside of class you’ll see her talking to students, going to basketball
games, attending birthday parties, and visiting with students’ families.
She can tell you everything about her
students’ families, it’s incredible. She
is well loved by both her students and their families. No wonder why she was awarded Teacher of the
Month our first year! She inspires me to
be involved, to witness to the whole family, not just our students, to witness
to everyone God puts in our path. Well
done, Lu.
And lastly,
Sean York. Everyone knows a great
teacher is not determined solely by timely lesson plans and grading; in case
you forget that fact you can just take a look at Mr. Sean. Sean wins the Most Improved award (I pray
he’s not offended by me saying that!).
Sean is one of the most dedicated and humble teachers I’ve ever met. He is constantly striving to improve his
teaching skills, and never for his own sake, but for the sake of his students,
for their learning, and for the salvation of their souls. When I see him now, after seeing him a year
ago, it’s like I’m seeing a different person when it comes to teaching. As far as planning, he works diligently by
reading, researching, and finding resources to prepare in-depth and engaging
lesson plans. As far as discipline, he
corrects and guides the students when they need it, even though it’s not fun
for him at all, in fact he hates it. You’ve
heard the saying “this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you” from
parents… with Sean it couldn’t be truer.
It hurts him to give detentions and demerits, but he still does it
because even though he hates it, he’s learned how beneficial it is for the
students. They are growing and he’s one
of the people forming them. So, Sean
gets Most Improved for lesson plans and discipline. Like I said, he’s constantly striving to
improve himself, which is a lesson for us all. I can’t believe how much he’s changed in the
last year.
But one thing that hasn’t
changed is his love for the students.
From the first day he arrived he’s given his whole heart to the kids; he
holds nothing back. The students are always first priority; he’ll sacrifice
whatever he needs to in order to keep it that way. Sean loves the students with Christ’s
love. In fact, there’s no doubt in my
mind he would lay down his very life for them if needed. Sean deserves another award besides Most
Improved, it took me a while to find a title for his love for the students but
I’ve decided on the “Sacrifice of Love” award.
Love you Sean.
To the new volunteers… you guys are really doing well
also. Starting off on the right
foot! Turning in lesson plans and
copies, getting to know the kids, and giving JUGS and demerits like pros! My first year teaching I could barely keep my
head above water, and somehow you guys make it look easy. Seriously, it’s impressive! By the end of the year I’m sure I will have
an award for each of you, too J
Well done Miss Shelby, Miss Lucia, and Mr. Sean. I hereby pass my Teacher of the Month award
on to you. There’s no way I was as great
a teacher as y’all are in my first, second, or third year of teaching; heck, it
took me 9 years to get Teacher of the Month!
You are amazing teachers and I am privileged to be working with you.
The returning volunteer teachers at our costume party.
