English Teacher

In August I started teaching at a small private Montessori school here in Puerto Rico.  My homeroom is 2nd grade.  A classroom of 14 Spanish speakers.  They teach me Spanish everyday, I hope I have been teaching them some English.  It has been challenging understanding exactly what they might need to succeed. In any classroom setting everyone is learning at so many different levels.. it is difficult making sure everyone is getting all the learning needs they need personally. I do the very best I can.

This next semester I am making things more interesting, fun, and simplified.  I love to over do and over work sometimes.  I also teach 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades.  I sure do love these students, and WOW I sure do love teaching.  I'm just afraid I love teaching my kids just a little bit more.  My kids are across the street learning all types of new things.  I know the Spanish, the relationship skills, and learning techniques are going to help them over new milestones.  I hope when I am teaching them again we can keep up the habits they've learning in school and in learning Spanish.

It's going to be super difficult leaving the school, and I'm not even sure when I will do that but I LOVE my own kids so much and this time apart from them has been difficult on my, on them, and on our wallet.

Truthfully, sending my kids to school, the school they need and being able to "afford" it has been too expensive.  From the tuition deducted from my pay, the uniforms, shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes, books, "casual days", other things the school might want, snacks time 5, and then trying to afford the gas to drive all around town dropping Adam off at school and then going to work in early morning traffic in Bayamon.  WOW!! It's expensive.

But wow, what a fun time we are having.  I've been making some fun relationships with the teacher and the students. We do some fun things.  I got to go on a field trip to Ariecibo Satellite. The largest Satellite in the world.  I didn't want to go at first because I didn't know what to expect but it was really great!  My efforts to be apart of Puerto Rico and live like them in some ways have been great!  I've learned cute Puerto Rican specific songs and chants.  I've learned the culture a bit and Christmas songs!  However, in my efforts of trying to be apart of Puerto Rico and discover the people and culture I feel like all I do is wake-up, go to work, go home, prepare for the next day and go to bed.  In reality I don't even have the time to discover Puerto Rico.  I hope in the next year or the following I can just discover the land and travel a little bit more!

Here is so a new year, and a good rest of the year teaching my classroom.  I have learned a lot about myself as a teacher, an employee, and a mother.  I AM more thrilled, confident, and excited to homeschooling my own children with the knowledge that I can create engaging, creative and meaningful lessons that will resinate and benefit them personally on their individual learning levels!!

Puerto Rico Chronicle: Beach Paradise

Today is New YEARS DAY 2014 and we went to the beach in Luqullo.  I drove past the Rainforest for the first time.  It looked so well "rainy" and I can't wait to visit it someone day soon.

The beaches in Puerto Rico are amazing, beautiful, and vibrant.  I just didn't go to the beach enough last year.  Someone told me they make an effort to go to the beach each month just to escape the craziness Metro-life can bring. Now, I completely understand the truthfulness.

I LOVE LOVE the beach!  The salty, sandy water is cleansing and refreshing to my skin.  Every part of me relaxes and rejoices once my toes hit the sand.  Lately, the colors layers in the ocean have been mystical and enchanting to me.  I can stare out in the ocean, listen to waves, and love exactly where I am and what I am doing.

The Beach is my medicine!! :) What I love most about going to the beach in Puerto Rico. We don't pack a lot because we don't need to stay all day. Going to the beach for a couple of hours is plenty for us.  We have no reason to stay out and get burnt, dehydrated, or exhausted. 1-2 hours is plenty for my growing family. Knowing we can come back any day we want to makes beach time simple and special.

We usually go to the beach only in swimsuits and lately all we do is jump in the van after rinsing off and take our swim trunks off and put on little boy undies for the ride home! Everyone is comfy, relaxed, and ready for a peaceful night.

I miss the beach already!! :)

Puerto Rico Chronicles: College Since Kindergarden

I often notcie in Puerto Rico how life will soon be in the US according to the progressive plans of the government and their programs. I understand what the medical system will turn into, the neighborhoods, and today it was hit me in the face (and the wallet) the elimination of Public School.

When I was student teaching a teacher said that her father, 20 years before saw the end of public school. I've ALWAYS had the desire to home school. I still do. However, for some silly reason I wanted my kids to experience the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico, and be apart of it. I want them to have the chance to meet native friends and learn Spanish. No matter how many books I bought to teach Spanish and culture I just wouldn't do it well enough. We also can't afford tons of social activities or desired home school curriculum while we are living off student loans. With a primary size of only 9 kids socializing will be limited. There is also one library and you aren't allowed to take books home from it. WEIRD!! So, all the things I leaned on for a healthy schooling interaction for my kids is suddenly a little more challenging here in Puerto Rico.

I've been told several times you can't send your English speaking white kid to public school in Puerto Rico. First of all, its probably 90% of the public school kids are from really poor government housing families.  Which I don't judge those children but it just brings down the standard of learning.  Americans who have sent their children to public schools have told me that when they return to the states their children are 2 or 3 grade levels behind. The school usually do not have air conditioning. They don't have their have school books provided and since they aren't allowed to require the parents to buy books they don't have books. They don't have pull out programs for children who don't speak Spanish. They don't have substitute programs. If the teacher is sick, school is canceled. My friend couldn't even talk to her child's teacher or any faculty member because nobody spoke English. Which is odd for a Island that studies English from Kindergarten, I talk in English to 9 out of 10 people I meet in a day. Who is running these schools?

It's probably grater than 75% of the children on the island attend Private Schools. We figured if I can work in Private school and be able to afford three tuition's and a little extra in our time of need, we could all have a grand new experience here on the island. I interviewed at a few schools, very expensive and quality Private schools. Tuition averaged $1,000 a month. However, those schools were offering first year teachers 16K/yr. 16,000!!!!  I about had a heart attack when she told me. That was about $8-$10/hr  for a 40 hour -10 month contract. Why the heck did I pay for an education? Those public schools that are also offered so little pay make $10,000 more than these grand private schools. Private schools can just pay their teachers less, even though there are SO many private schools on the island, and SO many children attending. I mean SO many!  With that income and the little tuition discount they were offering for the 1st year I could never afford it.

I found a Montessori school that caught my attention. It was from 2 years old- 6th grade. The only school I applied to where all my kids could attend and I wouldn't have to find a daycare for the baby. I make less than $10/hr and I only work 30 hours instead of 40. However, the tuition discount for my kids was greater, and I can afford it from what they are paying. Although it takes most of my income to pay for tuition, hopefully after the first 3 probationary months I can get a greater discount or a raise. Private schools, have a hard time keeping their teachers because Public School administrators offer them more money and steal them last minute from the mini privates. That won't happen to me because we are in a perfect situation and I don't speak much Spanish.

I choose the Montessori School because I love Montessori. I am excited to teach and for my children to attend. It is a very small school.  One class for each grade level. I was happy to get the discount so we can attend school this year but there is NO WAY I could do it the way everyone else does on the island. There is NO wonder why Puerto Ricans limit themselves to 1 or 2 kids. You really CANNOT afford any more. The government plans it that way.

I paid a few hundred for enrollment, and a few hundred for supplies. Then today I went to book store, because you have to buy your own books. My Transition to Practical Life student has 2 books, my Practical Life student has 9 books/ workbooks, and my Kindergartener has 10 books/ workbooks. They are all paperback, and I could only buy them NEW. Most students have to buy a $45 rolling backpack like the Zuca (which they sell them online for $140, odd). Students NEED rolling backpacks because they have so many books to bring with them everyday, and no where to store them at their desks or miniture classrooms.

It is a blessing that I only have Pre-K's and Kindergarten because there is no way I could afford books otherwise. Our 3 grade level of books came to $533 (tax free). With my 10% teacher discount it was just less than $500. I asked the lady behind me what she pays. She said her daughter is in 7th grade and books are $800 this year. The cashier told me I was only paying $500, and that's cheap! "CHEAP!!??" He explained that two children middle school and up would easily pay $1200- $1500 for books a year. I was honestly AMAZED!! I know that we have an unusually high rent and I'm sure it'd be different if we were natives, but most everyone else pays about $500-600 in rent. Still how can they afford SO MUCH in school supplies, books, tuition, and uniforms, and go shopping at the mall every weekend. I don't get it.

These Private schools have created monopolies in P.R. I could only get my books from one book store. I could try to order some online but shipping to P.R. is very expensive and who knows if I was actually getting the right books. I also can ONLY get the uniforms at ONE store. I thought I could get some hand me down pants.. NOPE, because even the pants have a label stitched to the side. I can only buy the uniform at one place. A white (YES WHITE!! ugh!) polo with their label was $16. INSANE!! Then I need pants and P.E. shirt and P.E pants. I got each kid one set of P.E. clothes, and 1 pair or pants and 2 polos for now. That was $250 with my discount. I know that doesn't sound like much when it comes to buying school clothes. BUT WOW!! The lady in front of my had one child and he had 5 pants, and 6 or 7 polos, a few pairs of gym clothes. Their total was $688. Imagine that times 3. Just another reason I want my kids to study in their PJ's..:)

Well, I'm SO broke, I'm so grateful for helping hearts who donated to my children s school funds this year.

Thank you for seeing the value in sending us to private school, and allowing us the chance to really get a fell of life on the island. KISSES to ALL KINDS of GRANDMAS!! We are going to be fine and I'm sure we will have all out needs provided! I'm grateful for this opportunity and I am just AMAZED by the value the island focuses on the Education of their children. The teachers are getting paid CRAP, and I just hope they are teaching good enough, at least on grade level, because these parents have been paying for college since Kindergarten.

Puerto Rico Chronicles: The Coqui

The Coqui are brown little frogs the size of your thumb nail. I know because I've seen one in my things on the patio one day. That is rare because they are night- time frogs! They are like American crickets. They are loud and chippy from dusk til dawn.

They make a high pitched chip and usually resembles it's name: Coqui!  For the first week, they were SO LOUD! When it turned dark I couldn't think, read, watch TV, or fall asleep. I couldn't understand how our friends weren't bothered.  I soon learn they become the everyday. I rarely notice them anymore. Sometimes while watching TV after everyone is asleep a chirp or two will be unusually loud and catch my attention. Takes me away from my Netflix and reminds me where I am.

I've come to learn that Puerto Rico is just loud! My neighbors are loud, the music is loud, the loud bangs and pops,and thumps all around are loud.  I like that because I'm loud, my kids are loud, and the Coqui, well, they remind me that's okay! :)  I bet I might miss them a little when were gone! For now, they're my neighbors for 4 more years!

Puerto Rico Chronicles: Take Chill Pill, You'll Be Here A While!

In a country with speedy drivers, everyone does a LOT of waiting around.

If I have learned anything it has been patience.  I shall never ask for that again!  Thank you for the opportunity  I understand now! :)

I wait in traffic! Bayamon is nicknamed the "Parking Lot" and for a good reason! Places just take a little longer to get to! Good thing I was trained to be a little bit early! Now I can almost make it on time! :)

I waited for Food Stamps.  I know, I hate it just as much as you do but I'm a poor student so they say its my privilege to have. Adam waited in line at 5:00, to make an  appointment at 11:00 when he was able to enter the building and they made him an appointment which was 2 months down the road. The day finally came, and we waited for 3-4 hours to get the appointment. THE COMPUTERS WERE DOWN!! I run into this a lot too. So, we waited several weeks for the card to come in the mail, and a couple weeks more for a bit of money to enter and in two days we will receive our 1st full month of food!! It's only been 3 months but we can eat while were here!

I wait 3-4 hours for appointments needing to be made. WIC, Doctors appointment. Just sit down and wait!

I wait in lines! In places like the water cpmpany, DMV, and city offices. You wait in a line to inquire a ticket to be made. Then you wait in the cashier line to pay any bill made, and then you return to the first line to prove that you've paid, in order to receive the thing you were their to get. For example, when we finally got our car! Yes,  I waited 5 1/2 weeks for it to get shipped to me! I waited in 6 different lines.  It took my family of 5, eight hours of waiting in order to get the car released to us. Which we had to pick up the next day since the car place was closed by the time we were done. Most of the waiting came from the fact that once again.. THE COMPUTERS WERE DOWN! In a place with 10 computers, only one was working for all the people trying to get their import taxes printed.  I waited there for 3 hours. Then I went down stairs and waited for 2 1/2 hours in line to PAY my outrageous import tax. Then I returned to the 1st office to get my paper work stamped and signed 8 times.  WOW! I was glad when that day ended! And to have a car that worked, and was ours! <3

I wait for people on computers. I know technology was suppose to help make things speedy. However, most of the places I've been the computers seem to be down! I think its just my luck..lol and then the worker types with 2 fingers. I just want to jump across the desk and take over! But I don't I just wait it out! There is nothing else I'd rather be doing! Although, things take a while.. they've got to get done.. and I'm grateful to be doing them!

I wait for electricity.  It happens at least once a week. I get to use those 72 hour kit skills I learned so much about! Also, my kids get to learn how much runs on electricity  They go from the TV, to the Computer, to the "almost dead" phone.. and after they realize there are no other options, they resort to reading books and playing with their toys. I think I'm creating monsters!  J, actually ran to the circuit breaker and asked me to flip the switch!

I wait for water to heat up, because get this..... you only turn your water heater on when you want to use it!  Who  Knew??, Right!  This spoiled American left the water heater alone and for 3 weeks I was basking in water, yes even HOT water for my  dishes, bath times  washing my grimy hands, and wonderful wonderful showers. Then we got out $600 electric bill and learned you are suppose to turn the breaker off during the night and day until dinner time, then you will have hot water for the evening. Well, since that bill we opened we just un plugged it like out A/C units and go without. Except on Mothers Day I got a warm shower for a gift! I was thankful for about 30 seconds and then slowly changed the water to cool!!  To not have a freeze shock was wonderful but unfortunately this last week has been miserable trying to readjust. I guess I'm waiting for that too!

I wait for water!  For 6 hours last week we were without water. When was the last time you were without water?? You suddenly become very thirsty, you have to use the toilet every 10 minutes, and you notice how many times you wash your hands.. Especially while trying to prepare dinner. It was an annoying and dry experience. No worries, I had some stored away!  Those 72 hour tips really do come handy!

I wait for people to realize I don't speak Spanish and for people to understand what I'm trying to say.. and I have no idea what you've been saying for the last 5 minutes. I have to admit, the past 3 days I've decided to speak English out loud for everyone to hear. At first I wanted to blend in.. but it's not going to happen that easily. I'm happier when I'm talking. And either they will roll their eyes because I'm speaking English.. or they will speak English to me. I have realized so many people know way more English than I do Spanish. I'm still going to work on my Spanish, but I think I will make it easier for everyone if we can all learn I understand things better in English! :)

I wait for school to start.. or getting income! I'm just gonna leave that one alone! But I am waiting for it!! :) 12 MORE WEEK TIL SCHOOL STARTS! (for A!)  I can't wait for our routine to get back in place! (but I will!) Then I will be waiting for it to be over!

I know there are TONS of more things I waited for.. and I'd love to complain about them.. however.. I waited, and they arrived and now they are over. That's the strangest things about waiting, and patience. Time really does pass, it finally does resolve itself, and you move on to the next thing. "This too Shall Pass!"-  I hated hearing it but I'll admit it's gonna be alright!

Aren't we always waiting for something?!

Puerto Rico Chronicle: House Search

Looking for a place was an adventure in its self. My great aunt some thing was looking for housing for us. Something affordable, but the two houses she suggested were the right price but had nothing else for us.

House 1- Very Dark, very little lights, no oven,  3 bed rooms, and one bathroom with a shower only. The door next to back rooms entered a yard with no gate.  It was pretty big but very dark. There was no fenced in area for my kids.  We had a neighbor beside us and on top of us. It reeked of mildew and mold.. which I soon learned was the norm. It was large and  I was willing to live here because I thought that's how I would live in Puerto Rico.  Adam felt very uncomfortable.

House 2-  A small pink house with with neighbors on each side. We would live in the center unit which had a fenced in patio 8 x4 feet which would be the kids play area since we had no part of the back yard. I couldn't see living in a place where my kids wouldn't be allowed to be in their own back yard of the house. It had much better natural lighting, except again the bathroom. It must have been one light bulb hanging from the ceiling, also without a bathtub- standing shower only. This house had one small kitchen cupboard. One very small counter top over that cupboard and a very small sink. Then it has a stove and oven the size of a suitcase.. Adam felt better about this place but I couldn't see it. My kids would literally be jumping on the walls. Plus, it was much farther away from school.

We soon realized we needed to up our rent in order for us to get something we could accommodate for a family of 5.  We were so grateful for my Aunt and her help because we had a very hard time getting a hold of any Realtor or housing for rent on our own. No body wanted to talk to the American's and nobody wanted to do it today, and we needed housing ASAP!

I took it in my own power to contact any English posting on Craigslist as long as the price was below $1000. I didn't know what else to do. A Realtor did contact us the next day, and we met with him. He said I requested to see a unit in the same complex but he wanted to show me a different unit for only $50 more.  This wasn't a house like I wanted but in a Condo Unit. It has 24 hour security which we didn't see in the other places. The complex has a BIG wall so no one can even see inside. It has 2 parks, a basketball court, and a pool. Already we knew what we were paying for.

He took us to a floor unit which I realized with 3 little boys and concrete stairs this would be the best choice for us. Immediately  upon entering the apartment our hearts relaxed and I was filled with gratitude. I honestly felt like this was the biggest blessing for us. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with tubs! Beautiful kitchen area (no oven), but I didn't care. They were leaving there washer and dryer, table, couches, microwave stove top and fridge. It felt like all we'd need to do it move it. Then we learned they had a backyard! This was a dream house! The apartment I picked to see didn't compare. It was on the 3rd floor, without appliances, no yard.  The choice was easy!

However, we had to wait a month before we could move in. :/  Then I learned the neighborhood is located near to infamous casarios. Which is government assisted housing, or "Residentals."  The two gangs in the housing areas are enemies and cops are always circulating the area. It made feel scared.  I thought the house was our place. I thought it was for us, and then when it was time for us to sign our contract I started feeling panicked and nervous.

I realized I didn't need to be afraid, but I live in P.R. now and I always need to be aware of my surroundings! I also learned a few things about Casarios which calmed me a little. We did wait  a month and it was well worth the wait. We love it in our little complex. If we never had to leave we'd be good with that too. The unit has it's little things like all houses do but we hope we can stay here the entire time during school, and we can continue to feel safe and blessed in our little home! <3

What I learned about Casarios:

1. Yes, the are dangerous, and I have no business in there so I have no reason to be inside , or nearby.

2. Any time a new housing development in built it is the law that government housing has to be built next to the housing. The figure it will bring up the standard of the people needing assistance. It usually just brings down everything around it.

3. There are good people and many children inside. It now just makes my heart break instead of quiver in fear.

Puerto Rico Chronicle: The Rescue

When I first moved here, I wanted to make a blog all about what happens once in Puerto Rico, but I later realized, the adventure is so different for so many people.... but it surely is an adventure. I've decided I want to remember these "adventures", because right now I feel defeated, and broken.. but I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ will help me through and has thus far in all of our adventures. I don't want these trials to sound like complaining, so I am going to try to present them in a way of love and understanding. The best of my ability! <3 It's not my intention to whoa is me, and whine. I just need to remember these huge lessons I've learned.

. This Chronicle is The Rescues, a message of Prayer, Miracles, & Love .

We arrived in Puerto Rico on February 12th. We had 2 days in a hotel, since Valentines day would was booked  and would be more expensive. We stayed at the Marriott  which was very comforting. During those two days in our hotel I learned a few things very quickly: 

1. Most hotels have mandatory valet parking with hidden additional charges.

2. You have to pay cash for just about everything

3. The sheets will burn your skin a little, because the amount of bleach washed in

4. P.R. DOES NOT HONOR AMERICAN FOOD STAMPS

5. Our phone service no longer works in P.R.

In our search for housing, we were hoping we'd find something we could move into. Adam was in charge of all of this, because I don't speak the language and had phones hung up on me over and over. The last night in the hotel, I took matters in my own hands and started calling people and emailing postings on Craigslist, which usually isn't used here.  I was hoping they would understand English since it was on Craigslist, and not clasificadospr.

 I found a furnished apartment that I thought would be great. The owner asked me to meet her at 11 the next day.  When we left that morning we got a call from a Realtor. He said he wanted to show us an apartment at 2:00. Adam took the call, knowing we probably already would get the furnished place. I'm glad he did, because on our way to Bayamon to meet her we got the call that we had too many kids for her 3 bedroom apartment, and would not be able to rent the apartment.  We booked a hotel for the night, and drove to the school. The school became our safe haven. It felt comfortable, normal, and the reason we were here in the first place.  We felt so defeated.

Adam went into the library to use the internet for housing search and mapquest, because our phone service, and GPS didn't work anymore. When Adam got back into the car, and we were both heart broken, and nervous. It was the first time I saw that Adam may have lost hope. We had been praying as a family like 10 times a day, there was nothing else we could do. I asked if we could pray right here in the car. 

Right after the prayer our phone rang. I had called the English Ward Relief Society a couple days before and told her of our situation. She suggested I talked to another student family.  Heather was at the other end of the phone, I was explaining to her who we were, our situation and I could help but bawl.  Her first reaction was " I know what you are going through, I've been there.  Don't go anywhere, I am coming to get you and take you back to my house where you can stay as long as you need."

What unbelievable faith, and kindness, and willingness to help. She opened her house to us, complete strangers. I'm so grateful that the spirit lead her to us, and she was willing to listen. She helped us get settled and sorted here in Puerto Rico. We ended up staying with Heather and her family for 4 weeks. She housed us and fed us. Her endless kindness is something we can never pay back to her. I just hope we can one day show that same kindness to others.

2 months later, I am still thanking Heather for rescuing us, and for Heavenly Father in answering our prayers. That phone call after our prayer, that answer continues to help us when other trials have come one right after another. We know He can help us, if its His will.  We will continue to pray.