Right Where I Belong, Taktse International School

I am writing tonight after my second day at Taktse International School. Tonight I feel so inspired and honored to be a teacher. I am having a hard time beginning the blog but I know I just have to find the words to portray what an amazing place this is and how important the work is here, the work with our future, the work with these phenomenal students. From our first meeting as a resource group with Mr. Lauenstein, the principal, and the head teachers to my first lesson, I just get the feeling I am right where I need to be. Mr. Lauenstein said he needed us to smile a lot and have a positive attitude. Great, I think I have that down. Here is a picture from me on my way to my first day of school here, think I qualify for the job?

Here is another photo of us getting ready to get in the jeep on our first day.

Another reason I feel like I am just right at home in the Himalayas is the schedule. We arrived just in time to follow the buses up the rocky driveway to school. I have to try very hard to beat the buses back home at Bergen Valley (Sorry Beth!):) The first students stepped off the bus and I almost cried. I can't really put my finger on why but something to do with the realization that we were about to embark upon something very big. It also could have just been that I was watching the kindergarten students get off the bus and they are just so precious.

Me and one of the adorable kindergarten students:

Here she is all by her adorable self.

Mr. Lauenstein starts the day with assembly and the students all sang India's National Anthem.

Here is Mr. Lauenstein welcoming the students back from summer break:

The students sang beautifully and I just couldn't wait to jump into class and start working with them! During the first day, I observed and taught a P.E. class for grades 7,8,9 and 10. I was able to observe the first graders and I was so impressed! Their teacher is amazing and so positive. I should mention that this school is so special and different from the way the majority of schools in India. One major way it is different is in that the teachers do not hit the children. Seeing positive reinforcement and great teaching was so wonderful to watch! I was also able to sit in on a 4th grade class that was equally impressive! In both classes, the students eagerly made room for me in the circle and were so willing and eager to share what they were working on.

In the afternoon I was able to teach a PE class with Mr. Karma and Mr. Nyamgil. They are both so great to work with and I am so excited about them carrying on with volleyball after I leave here. To give you a little history to volleyball coming to the Himalayas, here are some photos of us building the volleyball court.

The 15 volleyballs packed tight in my suitcase:

Sao joining in on the fun of pumping up the balls:

Still working on the smile and positive attitude:)

The net going up!!!

A view of the school through the new volleyball net!

The first doubles match played in the Himalayas! (Maybe ever :))

Ahh success

A big thank you to the Evergreen High School Boosters club for helping me put on a volleyball camp in Evergreen to raise money to bring the equipment. It has been raining the past two classes I have taught and so I don't have any pictures yet of kids playing volleyball but I will soon, I just need a sunny afternoon during monsoon season :) The students had so much fun playing volleyball and are quick learners! Amy Hook, I just need you to know that kids in the Himalayas are doing your famous passing chant! I'll have to video tape it for you, it is simply awesome! Keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming that the balls don't get lost rolling down the mountain, we are working hard at keeping them on the level ground! We are working on getting a net built near the edge of the mountain to keep the balls from going down, hopefully that gets done fast!

We have tea breaks! How cool is that? Twice during the school day we stop for 15 minutes and have a tea break. They serve tea to the students and staff as well as a snack like fruit or popcorn. My favorite is the popcorn!

After my first day of school was complete, everyone got on the buses and headed for home. Unfortunately there were some troubles with the roads and traffic jams. Half of our group got stuck in the traffic jam while Miles, Sam, Mr. Lauenstein and I waited for the other jeep at school. I sat in the library and tried to find things for class online. The students who stay in the hostel at school also came to the library to do their homework. They also had lots of snacks with them! It was the first time in India I ate junk food and boy was it good! Aside from the Toblerone and the Lays potato chips, the rest of the food was all new to me and the students were so eager to share. Most of them would not take no for an answer so I was forced to try all sorts of new and delicious treats :)

The jeep finally arrived and we headed for home. When we got back we made quite the adventure out of the spider in the Katies' room. This was due to the fact that earlier that day when we were getting ready for school I saw a gigantic spider on the wall. We unsuccessfully tried to catch him but ran out of time and went to school. Mr. Lauenstein, Miles, Katie and I scoured the room looking for the big fella but hopefully he just went back outside.

Here I am trying to blow dry the big fella out from the furniture:

Here are Miles and Mr. Lauenstein searching under my bed. It is so nice to have such wonderful people to check for monsters under my bed before I fall asleep.

Day 2 at the school was even more fantastic!

I had the incredible opportunity to dive right in and start teaching third grade! I modeled a guided reading lesson with three amazing kiddos while Ms. Dingsta took copious notes:) The students did great and they have the cutest way of raising their hands in group, the put a thumbs up on the table, I love it! Another great thing is they use readinga-z.com which is a resource I use all the time back at home! I also got to teach another one of my favorite subjects...Math! It was so fun to use the techniques and tools I use at home to teach these students. One of the students said, "Ms. Ryan, this is so fun, its like we are in American school." I just love teaching barefoot and sitting on the carpet with the students. Have I mentioned I like teaching at Taktse?

Here are my students, they have wonderful names like, Sogyal, Bhutia, Seshek and Rheah just to name a few :)

Here I am teaching math, please notice my comfy bare feet:)

Here is my borrowed class and their quiet hands

So if you are wondering what I am doing in India....here it is.

Just one of many trying to make a difference in this big, beautiful world. Blessings and love from the Himalayas:)