One school, that has been neglected and left alone to struggle has been the best for me. They have welcomed me, and all of the teachers have invited me into their classrooms. I believe the principal may have encouraged them, but they seem to genuinely want to share ideas with me, and receive feedback. There have been a few lessons that were very good, and I had nothing to suggest. They were lecture style though, so I hope that they are able to put some variety into the lessons they give. But without any resources, it is a challenge to come up with other ideas, such as research projects or presentations. In fact, when teachers do assign groupwork, they usually give the group half of a piece of loose leaf.
Students do not know English well by Gr. 6, and by the end of Gr. 7 they must write an all English exam to advance to Gr. 8. This seems to be the greatest struggle, so I am challenging teachers where ever I meet them, to push speaking and reading in English. Too often they are tempted to fall back into local languages to increase student learning of content, but this lowers learning of English. It is a bit of a catch 20-20, you gain something and lose something either way.
One of the greatest tools that I am hoping to give them is a good grasp of how to teach phonics well. At this time, they do teach phonics, but it could use refining. I have found an expat who started a school here who is more versed in early education and is willing to give a 2 day workshop on teaching phonics.
Still the greatest difference I hope I can make is to demonstrate a real love for students and teaching, as there are many who may need to reawaken or find a God-given love for what they are called to do - I know I have had to re-examine myself at times. Reaching students is my passion and I believe this is why God brought me here. The following passage shows what a Christian school can pray, and I will be praying it for these schools.
Colossians 1:3-6 We always pray for you and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people. You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven - as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the workd. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day that you heard and understood the truth about God's great kindness to sinners.
