KASIA
Exceptional Education Graduate |
KASIA
Exceptional Education Graduate |
Hola, mis amigos! Wow have these last few days flown by! Our trip here was safe and smooth. We’ve already seen so much and learned even more, and we’ve really just begun. Stepping off of the bus after hours of plane rides onto the grounds of our beautiful beach houses was just so wonderful. To be back in the beauty that is the Dominican Republic is incredible. The sights to be seen have left me emotional as a certain comfort and familiarity flood over me. My roommates and I quickly explored our home for the next two weeks and discovered some minor problems; immediately, the reality check hit me. The minor problems that I think I’m experiencing such as no Wi-Fi or a weak AC unit are so relative to the challenges that people right down the road are experiencing. This experience humbles you and reminds you that perspective is key. It teaches you that your inconveniences are just that, inconvenient. A roof is still over your head protecting you from the elements; the things you take for granted are suddenly at the forefront of your mind. You can’t help but feel gratitude on another level. Our second day was full of laughter, adventure, and delicious Dominican foods! We visited the family of Freddy and their land in the country where they have a plethora of fruit trees, cacao trees, and coffee bean trees. Freddy showed us around the property while providing samples of all kinds of different fruits and experiences. His mother cooked us a traditional meal called “la bandera” which is chicken, beans, and rice. It was delicious and a truly wonderful experience. We got to see his nieces again who have truly grown up since the last time we were here. Two years ago, I was giving the girls piggy bag rides while they said “Caballito!” which means little horsey, and this time, they were too old for those! We finished the afternoon off with some amazing hot cacao. It was pool time and relaxation for the cohort after that, and I finally felt the exhaustion of travel. Today’s tour of the public and private schools around Cabarate and surrounding towns was truly astounding. The experience was made even better because I had seen the schools two years ago. This time, I was able to see more deeply different aspects of the school that I couldn’t see last time. Since I knew what to expect already, I could notice other details such as the way the children interacted with one another or the teacher’s approaches with the students. I could take in the feeling of each school, and each school certainly has a different feeling. From the way the schools are structured to the way the school day is structured, there is so much to observe and learn. I am most looking forward to experiencing 3 Mariposas Montessori (http://3mariposasmontessori.com/content/) school next week. Getting exposure to these different schools is so fascinating and grows me as an educator and person. It teaches us to be grateful, yet it also inspires us to be the change that we hope to see in the circles we encounter. We are only three days in, and I feel at home again. I cannot wait to see what the next two weeks hold for us all as we continue this journey.
1 Comment
Dr. Patti
1/11/2019 01:54:13 pm
Hi Kassia. Thank you for writing such detailed and thoughtful blog posts. It is a great way for those of us at home to follow your journey. It will be particularly interesting to follow your posts to see how the experience differs and deepens from what you experienced the first time you went. It sounds like you have already had a wonderful "homecoming" of sorts and have been able to connect with friends and places that are meaningful to you. I look forward to reading about your journey and am so happy for you to get to experience it again!
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AuthorI am a first year graduate student and a substitute teacher in two school districts. This will be my second time traveling to the DR with the IPDS cohort from BSC, and I am honored to be back! I am passionate about my family and friends, education, music, and spreading smiles. Thank you for following my journey. ArchivesCategories |