Going into a 2-way Dual Language program requires a completely different mentality than the 1-way program I taught in Texas. It's looked at much more like a magnet enrichment program and requires a lot more commitment from the kids and the parents. It's a program that they really believe in because of the benefits it will give them in the future. Since it began, they've added one more grade level every year, as well as a second class for each prior grade level as interest increases each year. I will be the first sixth grade class for them to complete the program in elementary school, and then more classes will be offered every year so they can continue the program all the way through high school. The goal is for them to gain an official bilingual/biliterate stamp on their diploma. I'll have to say, I'm quite impressed with the district for all of their efforts to give students this incredible opportunity. I'm just as impressed with the families who put their children in this brand new program as a pre-K student and have stayed committed to it the whole way through elementary school. It says a lot about the program.
Being a 2-way program with kids learning both Spanish and English together, I am excited to structure my classroom around the theme of where their bilingual skills can take them (or who their skills might bring to them). Over the summer, I mentally started preparing my classroom based on the few pictures I took of the space I had to work with. So when I got to go in for a couple days before our camping trip, I started working on my world traveling corner with my own collection of things I've gotten or have been gifted from several Spanish-speaking countries. Though they took up a lot of space in my little house, they seemed to come up short in my new spacious classroom. Plus I realized that I was seriously lacking in basic supplies and materials.
I also have a collection of army themed items from my Alspaugh's Army theme from many years ago. My mom made me a class banner and some curtains when I taught second grade, so I figured I might as well keep the same theme going. I printed out the official Army Warrior Code, which basically says they don't accept failure, they don't give up, and they don't leave anyone behind.
I knew it lacked a lot still, but it was a start. I needed to get some basic supplies for putting things up on the walls, anyway, before I could do anything more.
Thankfully another teacher found me a bookcase and a friend from church gave me a box full of chapter books.
I got a mug holder from someone at church and filled it with mugs I've gotten from former students or coworkers. And another teacher happened to leave the perfect coffee sign for my little coffee bar. (I've since added a keurig machine after I took it camping).
I also put up my bird clock (that my students have always loved), but I haven't put the batteries in it yet. It might freak some people out right now if they're in a quiet school and suddenly hear birds chirping on the hour.
I hated taking a break from working in my classroom to go on a camping trip since I'm a bit extra anxious about starting over in a new place and a new grade. But I didn't want to miss the opportunity to vacation with David since I don't know how many more opportunities I will have him around to vacation with. So I figured I'd just have to put in a few longer hours at a time when I came back after I got past my Spanish certification exam. (As an introvert, I've always gone in to my classroom two weeks early to set up while everything is still quiet. I think best in silence.)
The night before we left for Michigan, I suddenly got inspired to make an Amazon Teacher Wish List and post it on Facebook. I'd never done anything like that before, mostly because I had plenty of supplies built up over 19 years of teaching. But starting over in a new state after a 2 year detour as a new class meant I inherited no one's supplies. What could it hurt? Even if someone just got me some sticky tack, push pins, or painter's tape, then I could at least start putting things up on the walls.
To my surprise, though, I got back from our camping trip to a table full of Amazon packages! And then I came home to another table full of packages the next day, and the day after that! Plus a friend decided to go shopping for me and loaded me up with a bunch of desk supplies, including a pink stapler, tape dispenser, and matching scissors. To say that each gift touched my heart deeply is an understatement. I am still truly blown away at everyone's generosity and thoughtfulness. I saved all of the gift notes and will put them up on my bulletin board as a reminder of who God used to help me create such a special environment for my new students.
From church
From a new friend in Texas that I met in Pennsylvania last summer
After such intense study of each Spanish-speaking country this summer, this beautiful map meant so much to me!
From church
From Hawaii
From Texas
From family
More from Texas
From someone who just said,
"Praying for your kiddos this year"
Unbeknownst to me, God had me go on that camping trip to keep me
out of my classroom because He knew I didn't have all the right supplies or decorations yet. :)
And even still, they kept coming!
Before I knew it, my Amazon wish list was empty!
More from church
And from more family
And then even more from church--all themed around my favorite color.
I had so much fun going back into my classroom this week, realizing that all of my new bilingual decorations, posters, maps, and flags make it feel like my dream classroom--especially after all of the "virtual" world travel I did this summer while preparing for the history portion of the Spanish certification test.
Then on Friday after putting up all the flags and Spanish quotes, I went to a "quick" meeting with my new instructional coach, along with three other new Legado teachers--2 from Spain and 1 from Mexico. As I sat there for almost the next two hours 100% immersed in Spanish from several countries, I felt so incredibly blessed and humbled by how God directed me back to my passion and provided more than I imagined. This extra "welcome to Legado" goodie bag was just icing on the cake. It was the warmest welcome I've ever had, and the new teachers sitting beside me expressed the same sentiment. I'm so excited to be part of this new Legado family. I know I have some significant challenges ahead of me, but God has made His presence, His guidance, and His provision quite obvious.
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