Learning to Teach

Thanks for keeping up with my blog! I'm sorry it's been more than a month, the transition has been very intensive (in a good way). Every day I'm growing more and more into my roles as a teacher, mentor/counselor, community member, neighbor, friend and guest of Tanzania. I'd like to reflect on my first month of teaching with you to see where I started, where I am, and where I am going as a teacher at St Peter Claver High School in Dodoma.
Kufanya tayarisha
The teachers and staff started working a week before lessons began, a time for kick-off meetings and lesson planning for everyone else, but for Becca and I it was also an opportunity to get to know our coworkers and practice our Swahili. We became accustomed to the routine of catching the teachers' bus at 6:45am, break for tea at 9:20, lunch at 12:30 and taking the bus home at 5pm. It was very helpful to know faces, schedules and the setting of school before the students arrived on campus and lessons started.
Siku ya kwanza
The first day of lessons began with a pleasant surprise; my dad contacted Becca and had her prepare something very special for me to wake up to. Becca created little paper footprints leading from the door of my room out of the house; this was just like my first day of kindergarten when my dad let me follow the footprints to my first day of class. It was such a thoughtful gesture and it gave me the confidence to seize the day.
My first class went more or less how I had planned. I was able to introduce myself, take attendance, explain the meaning/importance of the class, hold a short interactive lesson about the difference between data and information, and close with a prayer. When it was all said and done I left the classroom feeling like I had learned just as much from the students as they learned from me.  I have had this feeling each day since; that I am working hard to learn their names, backgrounds, previous knowledge, behaviors, and learning style while they learn from me not only about computers but also about my background and personality too. This two-way relationship between teacher and student is something I am so happy to experience and develop.
Magis
Becca, Mary and I organized an orientation weekend for the first-year students titled 'Camp Magis' after the Ignatian idea of being "Magis" (Latin for "more") for God and others. We led team-building activities, trivia challenges, a sports tournament, and a skit competition on the lives of saints. All in all, Camp Magis served as a time for the students (and us!) to have fun, get to know each other, and feel at home at St a Peter Claver. The seeds of friendships, life-lessons, and respect we sowed that
weekend are blossoming now and will continue to do so.

Kufundisha Computer
Teaching computer class is about the last thing I expected or desired when I came here, but I've found it to be a remarkably rewarding experience so far. I arrived not knowing the resources of the school or the students' familiarity with computers, but I've slowly come to realize that, like anything in life, it's all about attitude. If I arrive to a lab with broken/disorganized computers, it's a chance to fix what I can and provide some organization. If some students have never used a computer before, it's a chance to introduce them in a constructive way. So far we've covered the basics about data, information, communication, technology and processing; we are right on schedule now as we start moving from the classroom to the computer lab to begin applying what we've learned. The students have shown great effort, improvement, interest, humor and curiosity both in and out of class (they ask the BEST questions, such as "what was the first source of information?" and "where did the word 'Magis' come from?") The joy I'm experiencing with the work of teaching is completely one-of-a-kind, I am so happy to be learning and growing with these students in an environment that fosters faith, self-discovery and cultural exchange for the students and teachers alike.
Faith
When I arrived at the school in January the administration was still searching for a second-year computer teacher. I was sort of alone in the computer lab, not sure how to move forward in a way that was helpful but sensitive of my role as a foreign volunteer. Then along came Faith, a fun, confident, joyful Kenyan woman who really knows her computers. She has brought new life to the computer department, fearlessly leading us into a new era with what seems like infinite possibilities. Together we have figured out ways to fix and organize the lab, acquire necessary resources, manage the students' computer use, and work with students with computer skills ranging from beginner to expert. I am so happy and grateful to be working with Faith, she brings hope and laughter to the office each day.
Kufundisha Values
Along with teaching computer lessons for the entire class of first-years, I am teaching half of the first-year values lessons. Values is a new course developed by the Jesuit volunteers and priests to offer each student an opportunity for self-reflection, character development, discussing transition/life issues, etc. So far our lessons have focused on identity; we've made creative projects and texts about our names and what they mean and we've explored the 'layers' of who we are on the inside and the outside. Next we are making skits about good and bad examples of values like honesty, respect, generosity, compassion and justice. I'm so excited to continue with these lessons as we build each other up in fun, creative ways. These lessons are a nice compliment to the computer lessons; whereas in computer class I need to be sure to cover certain topics in the national syllabus, in values class I have absolute freedom to shift and shape the syllabus in values class to fit the needs of the students and their lives.
Exploring Vocation
For some time now I have been feeling drawn to teaching as a vocational direction that might foster a way of life that brings joy and fulfillment. Finding myself here at St Peter Claver is absolutely a confirmation of that tugging I've been feeling in my heart; the work of teaching is both 100% challenging and 100% a blessing. I really look forward to my lessons and preparing for them doesn't seem like work, it feels like one of those projects that suck you in and hours go by without you realizing it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've fallen in love with the entire concept of teaching because it is so immersive and real with opportunities for critical thinking, reflection, hard work, building respectful relationships, discussion, finding God in challenges, building character, and learning from our mistakes.
Next post: I will do my best to write another post soon, I look forward to sharing about Lent and the development of my realationship with my host family. I am doing my best to balance writing too much and too little as well as posting too often and too infrequently; I hope you understand and support me in my effort to live in the moment while taking time to reflect with you through my blog! Thank you for taking time to read and walk with me, it means so much. Be well and a God bless during Lent and always.
Peace & love,
-Ryan-

PS we did it! We reached our goal for my fundraising campaign! I am so happy and grateful for your donations, it blows me away how supportive everyone is. But I was thinking, why stop here?!? If you have been considering a donation now is a great time to add to the many generous donations that support the work of the Jesuit mission and us volunteers. Check out the fundraising page to see how much we've raised and add your part, thanks!