Gratitude

By Katherine Ferry

I am happy to report that this week that I had the opportunity to discuss the English classes with many of my students’ family members and was pleased (and, honestly, a bit surprised) by their interest.  This week I held group parents’ meetings for each of my public school classes while continuing to hold individual meetings with difficult students and their teachers and families.  In spite of regrettably low attendance by parents, I was still very pleased with the conversations I was able to have with the parents who did show up, and with the parents’ desire to be involved with their children’s education. 

My best meetings were with the parents of my two fifth grade classes at the elementary school.  In the afternoon class, a mother of one of my star students boasted that her daughter was telling her family about her pets in puro ingles (just English).  Another mom, whose daughter is very quiet but a conscientious student, reported that her daughter gives regular English classes to her younger siblings, posting a list of vocabulary words on the wall for them to study.  In the morning class (which is made up of thirty-five students – by far my largest) I was delighted when the classroom nearly filled with mothers, fathers, and adult siblings.  I talked awhile about the structure of the class, demonstrating the book and video (provided by school) that we use in class.  When I finished talking I asked if there were any questions or comments.  A mom in the front row said, “All I have to say, and I think I speak for everyone, is how grateful I am that you’ve come to teach our children English.”  I think prior to my meetings I sometimes felt like I was just part of the scenery to the parents I saw in town, that they walk by me without realizing how important their children are to me and how hard I work for them.  I’m very glad that both Rachel and I were able to hold meetings with our students’ parents because we now have relationships with the families, and it gave many of them a chance to say that they are appreciative of our work and concerned for their children’s education.       

On a personal note, I would like to recognize and thank everyone who made my birthday this week an especially good one.  Most of all thank you Rachel, my “familia adoptada”, and other honored guests (Alejo) for the great parties; thank you to Maestro Marte and the first-year Telesecundaria class for the birthday wishes over the loudspeaker and to all the Telesecundaria teachers for the barbeque party; and thanks to many more who made sure to wish me a happy birthday.