Ending well the 2014-2015 school year!

We have been on break for just over a week now, and we are both still processing this year and the work God is doing in and through us. This is a both a hard and joyful time for us. We have had to say many goodbyes to close friends, colleagues, and students. It is also a time to reflect on the wonderful growth we see in all students- academically, emotionally and spiritually.

This year PK  and middle school had a full last week of school.

Tuesday PK combined efforts with their second grade reading buddies and had a book party. There were 4 stations- each with a book to read together and an activity related to the book.

Station 1: If you give a mouse a cookie

Enjoying making cookies!!

Station 2: Piggy and Elephant books

Making new covers for the Piggy and Elephant books!

Station 3: The Very Caterpillar

Yummy fruit Kebabs after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Yummy Fruit Kebabs!

Station 4 Free play outside!

 Wednesday PK and 7th/8th grade went to a theme park. For PK this was a special end of the year trip, while 7th and 8th graders joined a ministry partnered with the school to spend a day together enjoying the fun of the park. Ed  chaperoned the 7th and 8th graders while Sarah tried to keep up with the PKers.

Saturday we had our closing ceremonies where we presented character, academic and attendance awards. It is a fun way to celebrate the end of the year and recognize the hard work of students.

Here is a video I shared with the families. The last 30 seconds are the bloopers if you ever want to see the goofiness of my kiddos.

Reflections on being a teacher

I can't believe that I just finished my fifth year of being a teacher. Especially because I never thought teaching was where God would lead me in the world of missions. I have been so blessed to grow each year, not only as a professional, but as a person and in my relationship with the Lord. For every group of students God has given me, I have learned from them how to love more, discipline with care, and really build relationships with students and their families. So thank you to all my former students and thank you to their families for teaching me!

Year 1- BCA, Bamako, Mali

I loved being your "auntie". You taught me how to love my students as well as help you love each other, especially in times of need. You taught me we don't all need to know English to understand each other. And you taught me that learning can be so much fun. You allowed me to make mistakes and you put up with my horrible drawing skills. You will always be my first class and I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful, challenging, growing year.

How abundant are the good things

that you have stored up for those who fear you,

that you bestow in the sight of all,

on those who take refuge in you

Psalm 39:19

Year 2- BCA, Bamako, Mali

You have been my only all girl class and I thank you for the fun we had together. Every day I looked forward to your passion, your love for each other and the giggle parties (I mean you were seven 3rd and 4th grade girls). Through your love for each other you taught me that challenges can be overcome if you are willing to work together. Each of you have a special story of how God is working in your life and I was so blessed to see His hand give you strength in the times of difficulties.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

All BCA at our soccer tournament

Year 3- ECA, Bogota, Colombia

Dear wonderful sweet students. Thank you for teaching about the joys of being a child. From your enthusiasm to explore to the wonderful art projects you created, God used you to teach me how to be a pre-kinder teacher. You also taught me how important family is in education and in growing your hearts to love God more. You guys are the reason I chose to come to Colombia and you are the reason Colombia will always be in my heart!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Year 4- ECA, Bogota, Colombia

Thank you for being children of God's word. You showed me what it means to have faith like a child. From your desire to know God's word to your passion to live it's truth, you have taught me that God is at work in deep, profound ways in the lives of His Children. Thank you for allowing me to build in you a foundation of God's truth and to embrace His word with me. 

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3

Year 5- ECA, Bogota, Colombia

Only today I said goodbye and I know with confidence that God is at work in each of your hearts. You have taught me this year why we love others and need love God more each day. From your honest conversations about doing the right thing to the wonderful friendships you have with one another, I can see God is obviously at work in your lives. Thank you for your love of English. Thank you for your love of Jesus. It has been a blessing and a joy to be your teacher this year!

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke 10:27

Queen Esther: the brave, strong and courageous

This week my students had the opportunity to present chapel for all of elementary. About 2 month ago I realized my students were fascinated by drama- during their free play time they would set up the classroom like a theater, choose actors, directors, tickets salesmen and food vendors and do their best to put on a play. Seeing their enthusiasm
for drama, and my passion for directing performances, I decided to go all out and do a play for our chapel performance.

We chose to do the play "Queen Esther" because it fit with the other themes of chapel this year. We have been learning all about responsibility and doing what is right even if it's hard. I found a fun script online and we began to practice about 3 weeks ago.

The kids were involved in everything: they made the posters, tickets, and the backdrop. We found costumes and props in the costume room. We spent 2 weeks learning a song, dance and practicing lines (all in English). By the time the performance arrived the students were over the moon excited!

Parents were invited and on Thursday they rocked the house. Here are some pictures and video clips from their awesome performance.

Painting the back drop!

Coloring tickets!

Posters at the entrance

Stage all set up and ready to go!

My singers being so cute!

Basically the best dance routine ever (even if you can't hear the music because the audience is laughing so much!)

My cute little singers sings about being brave, strong and courageous.

King Xerxes and his guards and servants.

Esther eating dinner with Mordechai and Haman

Mordechai talking with Esther about saving the Israelite's.

All my delightful performers taking a final bow

Celebramos Colombia! (We celebrate Colombia!)

One of my favorite all-school events is "Celebrate Colombia". The Spanish teachers in each grade level create a presentation that tells a part of Colombia history, celebrates an aspect of Colombian culture and allows the students to grow in their personal cultural identity. Then parents are invited and the school comes together to watch each other's performances! It is so fun to see students to have patriotic pride in their beautiful country.

7th and 8th graders paid tribute to the farmers in this bountiful country and shared about the different political influences that have inhibited their growth (such as the conquistadors, the FARC, communists, etc.). They did then a traditional dance of the farmers.

PKers learned the traditional Cumbia dance. This is from the coastal region and very common in Colombia Some of my students memorized a small speech to share the history of the dance, then the whole class danced together. The students loved their outfits and the chance to dress up. I was so impressed and proud that they all memorized their steps and were not too nervous to perform in front of their parents and other students.

Kinder and first grade also did dances. It was so fun to see my previous classes not only grow in their dance skills, but work together as a team to dance and perform. As part of the celebration the MC called on parents and teachers to join the students for encore performances- which was great fun to have all the audience involved!

Kinder in their costumes during the dance

Various PK, Kinder and 1st grade students giving a small introduction speech

Palm Sunday

The arrival of a King. People praising. Crowds participating, as well as watching. Palm fronds waving. Garments laid down. A joyful celebration.

Every year I have the privilege to share with my students the celebration of Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem. This year we cut out paper palm fronds and waved them around, danced around the classroom singing Hosanna, discussed kings, and, thanks to a team of high school students from the States, we allowed our students to ride a "donkey" (one of the high school boys on his hands and knees).

Celebration. Joy. King of Kings.

As I was discussing this important event, I was struck with the simple joy of child-like faith. As I continue to grow in my understanding of symbols, the entrance into Jerusalem speaks to me of fulfilled prophecy, Jesus' declaration of His Kingdom on earth, and the wonderful grace-filled salvation from His sacrifice. For my students however, Jesus' entry is celebration! Jumping up and down, singing at the top of their lungs, and child-like joy.

It makes me wonder if after so many years in the faith, do I loose my child-like-ness? I get excited for Easter because I know it is the most important day of remembrance in my faith, but am I jumping up and down in excitement? Am I on the streets singing Hosanna at the top of my lungs? Do I eagerly wake up in the morning ready to praise God for His salvation? Have I lost the child-like inhibition to celebrate just because God is God?

My goal this Easter to to be filled with child-like joy. No, my neighbors don't have to worry I will be waking them up sing (screaming) early in the morning. But I am asking God to give me moments  of joy-filled, child-like celebration- whether it be through praise music, some great food, or creating beautiful things... we will have to see!

This is my student's favorite Easter song!

And here is their version! (disclaimer... they were all crowding me and the camera.. aren't they the cutest!?!)

Christmas vacation part 3- Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Argentina

So almost 3 months have passed. And one quarter of school. And I finished another grad class. So I guess it's time to finish posting the pictures from our trip over Christmas break. This is more for my memories and making sure I actually post pictures.

We knew we weren't in Antarctica anymore when we saw the British flag flying in the Falkland Isalnds.

Ed and I decided to hike to a penguin colony in the Falkland Islands. As we headed out of town we saw the large city of Stanley. 

On our hike we encountered this. Good thing it was on a clear fence, otherwise it might have been an eventful trip home.

After a 2 hours hike in strong wind we finally saw the penguins (that's sand, not snow!)

Back in the Capital city of Stanley we quickly grabbed pictures of the church before the rain started to pour!

Our next land stop was Punta del Este in Uruguay. I enjoyed re-visiting my first country overseas.

No visit to Punta del Este is complete without walking along the beach.

We also encountered lot of rain in Uruguay- but I did get to see the hand.

We also spent a day in Montevideo!

I enjoyed remembering the art and big city of Montevideo!

Street art in Montevideo- I love my neighborhood!

The last few hours of vacation was spent crossing the 16 lane streets in Buenas Aires Argentina. Check out that bus!

An "average" Wednesday in Pre-Kinder

Ah, childhood! It's the best, especially if you are in pre-kinder! Here are glimpses in the daily activity of a cheerful 5 year old at El Camino Academy.

We start every Spanish class looking at the calendar.

We love to sing in music class!

We have also been learning about different kinds of notes.

In the library we have been learning about the snow-capped mountains in Colombia.

During free choice time we love the playdough!

Free play time in the classroom is so fun!

To practice sharing and being good friends, we used water colors to paint pictures in partners.

We love reading books!

This week we have been learning to write the number 3. And then we drew 3 cheeses on our paper

Sometimes we do music class outside in small groups. Today we played drums to practice our notes.

After all that work, we need a nap!

Oh, and Tuesday was the 100th day of school!