languages of art

My first week of teaching at the Kigali International Community School has posed many different challanges and adjustments that I will strive to overcome and be flexible with. The staff is incredible - serving the purpose of creating an influential learning environment and sharing the goal of getting K.I.C.S. accredited.

Mrs. Laura and Mrs. Christine teach Pre-K and are from Kenya. Mrs. Christine moved to Rwanda with her husband, who coaches Rwanda's national basketball team. The team just placed 14th in the African playoffs - which is very good considering there are fifty plus countries in Africa. When I visited last February with Stephen and Teena Tucker, I met a woman from the States who played on the Rwanda Women's basketball team. I ran into her at church with Christine and her husband last Sunday, and am going to watch her play in a tournament in the ucpcoming weeks. Since I can't cheer and yell at Razorback games this year, I will cheer and yell for Rwanda!

Miss Amy teaches Kindergarten and 1st grade, my roomate Lauren teaches 2nd and 3rd grade, and Linda Huang teaches 4th and 5th grade, as well as computer courses. For secondary classes, my roommate Amanda teaches courses in math and history. Our principal, Brian Dolinger, teaches high school Algebra and Geometry and three parent volunteers (who are also college professors) teach Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry. I am teaching seven grades of Language Arts - 6 through 12, and elementary art! I see the entire school throughout the week.

My students come from a wide range of backgrounds - Embassy kids who have had schooling all over the world and speak four languages, Rwandans, South Africans, Costa Ricans, missionary and NGO children - such a variety of ages, schooling, cultures, etc. When I read their experiences from journal writing or stand in front of the classroom explaining a concept - I understand now how small my worldview is - how much I have to grow and learn - how I am the student.