Monday, March 14:
I worked with Kínder 1 on Monday morning until 10:30 and then I was able to head home to relax because Kiínder 2 didn't have class. Brittani also had a shortened schedule so once we got home, the opportunity for a surprise adventure came up. Papi asked the two of us if we wanted to visit the local river and go to EARTH University which is located in Guácimo. The river was too cold to swim in, but we did enjoy the calming sounds of the water running and the sights. Papi is one of the founders of EARTH University and taught us a lot about the campus in a short amount of time. EARTH stands for Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda. The goal is to preserve the climate that is here in Costa Rica, as well as throughout the world. |
Tuesday, March 15:
On Tuesday I worked with both classes. We are continuing to work on learning the differences between left and right in Kínder 1 as well as learning about the fight against discrimination. In Kínder 2 we were finally able to harvest the lettuce that we planted the second week of school.
Wednesday, March 16:
Wednesday was a busy day of learning. I worked with the students of Kínder 2 to create a door decoration that demonstrated our family unit. I continued with this theme by then having each student create their own Family Tree. We then discussed the differences in family units and talked about the fight against discriminating against others based on the family that they come from.
Thursday, March 17:
My final day with Kínder 2
Thursday was my very last day working with Kínder 2, I am going to miss them very much but am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to teach them, learn from them, and grow from them myself as a teacher. Teaching completely in Spanish had its challenges but as I look back I am thankful for every moment these last six weeks. I made a small card for each of my students that had an image of Wisconsin and Costa Rica, saying "Far in distance, but close at heart." I did get to participate in one of my favorite activities with this class one last time, PLANTING! I planted about forty baby plants of purple lettuce that will be ready for them to harvest in about four weeks. Kínder 1 also had a small celebration for me today as a way to say goodbye. I do still get to hold class with them tomorrow morning though! |
This afternoon Brittani and I were shocked to find out that there was a Goodbye Celebration being held for us in the new cafeteria. We were all set to go home but were then told that we needed to go to the cafeteria. I was thoroughly confused because I thought for surely that Papi was on his way to come and pick us up from school. We ate lunch, had cake, coffee, and then some teachers showed us their salsa-ing skills! Even the principal joined in for one dance! |
Friday, March 18:
My Final Day
Brittani and I on our final day of Student Teaching in Costa Rica.
Our day began right at 7AM with Acto Civico. We got to watch a reenactment of the Battle of Santa Rosa. The students of Kínder 1 returned to the classroom for the initial experiences of the class day. We finished making maracas and I got to read one final story to the class. I was very sad to leave knowing that I may never return to this school again, but knowing that I will always have memories and great experiences that I learned from. |
Kínder 1
Once home from school I spent the rest of the day relaxing and beginning to pack my bags for the next day's flight home. I couldn't get my mind wrapped around my time being just about over.
Saturday, March 19:
Mami made us coffee shortly after getting up. Our last breakfast in Costa Rica consisted of bread and watermelon. We were both very sad knowing it was our final day of our adventure but at the same time looking forward to seeing and being reunited with our families back home. Mami and Papi surprised Brittani and I with our own coffee makers to bring home along with two packages each of pure, authentic Costa Rican coffee!! I cannot wait to use it! For our final meal in Costa Rica, Mami and Papi took us out to lunch where I drank a strawberry banana smoothie and then chose to eat my last meal of Chicken and Rice! We left for the airport around four and left with tears in our eyes. It was hard to leave a place that had become a home away from home, with people that were like a second family. Once at the airport we waited about seven hours due to a flight delay and then we were off the ground and on our way back to the United States by about 11:30. |