The Journey Inward

Last week, the Spanish teacher threw a breakfast for the new hires. She emailed us in advance and asked us to send a picture of ourselves and a little write up. I was so touched that a fellow teacher would think to do this. It was so welcoming. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go because my Learning Support Partner and I had a meeting with a parent.

The morning after, a young teacher caught up to me as I was walking to my classroom from the parking lot. She asked where in NJ I had taught. She was born and raised in Bergen County. She asked if I’d gone to TCNJ. TSC, I thought, as I always do! She had, too. I asked what had brought her here and she said she did her student teaching at this school on an exchange program. She then came back to teach here upon graduation last year. It was such a fun conversation. We Jersey girls love our travel!

The Spanish teacher followed up by sending out the google slides to everyone via email, which was so helpful because I learned a lot about the teachers that come in and out of my room and with whom I don’t have a chance to talk about anything but our shared students. What a great way to open up connection and conversation!

My co-teacher was telling me the other day that it seems like Americans have high expectations for their government, services, products and so on. She said South Africans have no such belief and therefore do a lot for themselves. She was raised on a farm with two brothers and can shoot, ride, drive farm machinery, anything that needs doing. She said South Africans know that no one will be coming to fill potholes, so eventually someone throws in some rocks or creates a makeshift patch. They have been used to going without power and water, and so they have solar panels and water collection tanks. They figure it out.

I’ve noticed that these lower expectations result in a lot less impatience, anger and even blame. People here die from lightning strikes (not many tall buildings or trees), trees falling on them, accidents, and all sorts of negligence, but no one looks to point the finger or sue. It happens. This has certainly not been my experience back home. I find myself more relaxed here!

I woke on Sunday morning to learn my oldest friend’s mom had passed away. I had texted her that morning to say I had been thinking about her and her mom all morning. With the time difference, it was close to when she passed. My friend and I have been together since we were in diapers, brought to the pool and games and all the places our older siblings went. I don’t remember a time before she was in my life. And her mom was an incredibly special woman to me. She wasn’t really a second mom as much as someone I respected, enjoyed and spent so much time with. She didn’t try to mother me, but rather showed me how to be a strong, independent woman and love the outdoors, as well as appreciate the simple things. She and my mom were friends for many decades and once we even vacationed together.

Daisy will be missed by so many, but I am so happy for my friend that she had a mom who was so full of life and lived that life so fully. And that I got a little of her in my life, too. I am heartbroken that I will miss the services.

One of the maintenance men from my school came with me during my prep to test drive the car I’m thinking of buying. Carmen and Charl sat in the front and I got a sense of the back seat room. Carmen was pleased with what he saw and felt, so Rio should be mine by week’s end. Wiring that much money overseas was a bit nauseating, but I’m happy to have this big event and expense behind me. I’m working through the car insurance now (very different!) and then we should be good to go.

Today was our early dismissal Wednesday and our meetings after school were really helpful. I’ve sat through data meetings for YEARS, but this one was different and more team oriented and not as much focused on results as instruction. It was a pleasure! I felt empowered by the conversation and excited about the possibilities for collaboration between the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teachers.

So proud of NJ, NY, VA, GA, CA and all the blue sending a message of HOPE!

Also, it was nice to have pup update pictures from G. I’m getting so excited to see the girls and the pups in just 5 weeks or so!