Teacher Boot Camp

The last two weeks, use trainees have been practice teaching. Some of us have been assigned to work as teacher trainers at PTCs (Primary Teacher Colleges) which is where older ‘kids’ are studying to become teachers. The rest of us have been assigned to work as literary specialists at Primary schools (like elementary). That’s me! :D

The first week I was teaching in a P2 class (like 2^nd grade) and the second week I was teaching P6 (6^th grade). The P2s were super cute and tiny and lots of fun! They had a lot of energy though. The P6s were really fun too though. And pretty well behaved!

My first lesson I taught didn’t go too well. You could really tell I had no idea what I was doing. But as the week progressed and I got feedback from other trainees as well as trainers, I improved quite a bit! So much that the trainers honored me with the title of “Trainee of the Day”! I got to wear a crown and everything ;)

We left for school at 7:30 every morning and were done at 1:00pm when we came back for lunch. Then we had a session going over some more Peace Corps information (medical, home stay stuff, etc). Then we had the rest of the day to ourselves. There was usually a game of sorts being played (ultimate, volleyball), people on the computer or lesson planning, or just hanging out. We played guitar, did some swing dancing, or just laid on the ground and had Ugandans look at us funny :) I had lots of fun talking and joking with friends during these times.

At the schools, we had a system put into place to reward students who were showing good qualities. The last day (Friday the 13^th), we had a big celebration where the kids got to play games and listen to the students from the PTC read books to them. Last night, we trainees had a C.H.A.K.P.E. celebration complete with white elephant gifts and performances done by none other than us. I got a bundle of Smarties out of it! ;D

This morning was the first day of language training. Since I'll be living in the southwest region, I'll be learning to speak Runyankore! New language tutors showed up and our trainers who have been with us from the beginning said goodbye. It was very sad :( We will stay here until Tuesday. Then we will go visit our site we will be living at after swear in at the end of January and hang out there for a few days. Then we go to home stay where we will each live with a Uganda family while doing language training. I’m excited to see my place!

Teaching was fun, but a lot of work! Props to every teacher ever! I’m very thankful for you!

Playing Hangman with the P6 class
on the last day

Oh, I almost forgot! We went to the zoo in Entebbe last Saturday! That was a lot of fun. Saw cool animals and ate some good food! :D

Also also, there's a very bright lunar halo around the moon right now! Just got done laying in the road looking at it. So pretty here all the time <3