My classroom smells like fishgarbage…

…yes, fishgarbage.

The principal turned over classroom keys last Wednesday.

After my student teaching experience in a crowded district, I felt grateful to have my own classroom. After SmartBoard, Wiki, EdLine, A-Chat and GradeQuick training, I felt hopeful. After seeing the space, I am content with twenty-three desks, a computer and a view of San Pedro’s mountains.

I realize that part of this Honduran teaching adventure will be working with first world ideas in a third world country:

We watched “Shift Happens” in an assembly.
We use three-ply carbon paper forms to check out books and requisition pens.
The science department is going paperless this year.
The English department is buying classroom dictionaries.
A scanner has to recognize my fingerprint to get into school every morning.
Our guards play cards in the shade and lean their homemade armory against the gate.

These are just some of the things I find interesting. I use them to distract myself from the overwhelming smell of fishgarbage. Of course, it is hard to tell if the fishgarbage is coming from outside or if it is inside… a lot of excitement mixed with a little fear.

August 15th, 2008 in Uncategorized |

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3 Responses to “ My classroom smells like fishgarbage… ”

# 1 Dawn Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Despite the odors, which I hope won’t linger too long, your school sounds full of optimism and hope. In this way it suits you perfectly.

I look forward to hearing more. Others will too. Your experience may seem singular, but aspects of it are universal. So write often, about all the good and the not so good.

Pictures are nice, too.

Love you!
# 2 Aurora Says:
August 17th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
You have a SmartBoard?? I’m so excited for you. If your students’ first impression of you is anything like mine, they’re going to ask, “Who is this girl?” And then, they’re going to listen really close to everything you say. I can’t wait to hear about your students. You’re going to make each other new.
# 3 Kimberly Says:
August 27th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
It is nice to have you, Dawn and Aurora, in the same place : )

The smell is gone.
Technology is really more of a myth than a hope, but we are creative.