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       When I think of my two homes (which is about twice a day or more), Northampton and Plymouth, my heart aches for them. I remind myself that those places will always be there and when I return I can spend more time enjoying my homes.

These two years may be my only chance to enjoy this island. In my second week on Majuro the teachers attended the Pacific Educational Conference. The theme for the conference was “Our Ocean. Our Islands. Our Children.” We learned that these islands might not exist in fifteen years because of climate change. We must educate the children about this and teach them how to make a difference. Not only the children on these islands but also children around the world. I’m not sure that my first graders would understand the idea that heir home may not be there when they become young adults. I am here to help these children get their education started so they can continue it and succeed anywhere their dreams take them.

That being said, I have a wonderful class. They are just like any first graders in any classroom in any part of the world.

I have three students that don’t speak much English, but in these short four weeks of school I can already see an improvement in their language skills. I have also had to learn more about how to support English Language Learners so that I can help them thrive throughout their years of school.

I have a student who needs extra support outside of the classroom and has difficulty with expressive and receptive language skills. He acts out movies and tries to speak to me through those actions—sometimes I understand, sometimes I don’t. He is one of the sweetest boys I have met. He kisses me and hugs whenever he leaves the classroom.

I have a mix of students who are at different reading, writing and math levels. I have been learning and figuring out how to support each of these children in my classroom, again so they can thrive anywhere in the world when they grown up.

When the time is right, I will talk to my first grade class about climate change and how they can help be the better change. Last week it was the first graders turn to pick up trash on the school campus and they couldn’t have been more excited to help. They all wrote about how they enjoyed cleaning up trash because it is dirty and they love being helpful.

I have also started a swim club with the special education teacher. Believe it or not, quite a few children do not know how to swim. We are going to teach them. This is a skill that I think all children should have and especially in this environment.

I am going to continue working hard to help these young children bloom into the amazing young adults I know they will become. I will do this by encouraging each of my students’ different needs by learning more Marshallese and skills to support English Language Learners, learning how to communicate through movies and then turning those actions into words, differentiating with reading, writing and math to ensure that each student gets what they need and by teaching them skills outside of the classroom I think are essential, such as swimming.

I am the youngest teacher here and I came straight out of college. I think that sometimes this is why I get homesick, because I have never lived on my own, never mind half way across the world. My friends and family were always right there when I needed them. I know they still are but the distance can make that difficult at times. I always remind myself that my homes will be there for me when I return.

After a month and a half on this beautiful island, I am thinking that I will add it to my list. I think that this place will be another home in my heart forever even (if or when) it no longer exists.

Emman mour in majel. Marshallese life is good.

I am a MadDog now

Hello again,

I entered my first grade classroom on August 10, 2015 patiently waiting for my new students to arrive at 8 o’clock. With much help from my teaching assistants, my classroom was ready for the arrival of 25 six and seven-year-olds. The first day was filled with activities: an assembly first thing in the morning, school wide trash clean up, and buddy reading. I didn’t have to plan much on the first day because of these planned activities. In the time I had in the classroom I introduced myself to the children and shared information about myself I thought they would enjoy hearing. I played a name game with the children in hopes of learning all of their names on the first day. I did not.

I had made plans for the next day and thought they were solid. I thought that I knew what I was doing. I did not. Around 9:30 in the morning my friend, the Third Grade teacher, walked by with her class because they were practicing walking in a line. She could tell I was having trouble and she brought her class in to do some buddy reading. Meanwhile I left my classroom, crying, and went to the principal. I felt like I was one of the six-year-olds in my classroom, but they all felt comfortable in their new roles as first graders. They were confident that, as their teacher, I would know what I was doing. I did not.

In my principal’s office I was able to explain that I was overwhelmed and felt like I had no idea what I was doing in the classroom. I felt stupid. She told me to take some breaths and handed me an apple. She told me that when I felt ready to go back into my classroom she would be in there doing a writing lesson with my first grade class. I ate the apple, slowly and peacefully, knowing that my class was in good hands with my principal, and that I was too. I watched her interact with the children and help them sound out words to write a few sentences about their favorite movies. It looked so simple and natural when she was doing it.

At lunch I talked to my friend Emily to reflect on my breakdown. I said, “I think part of me thought I was on vacation.” Apparently I’m not. It’s a lot of work and hard work.

I talked with my principal after school about a plan for the rest of the week. I asked her if she would come in and model some different actives and she said she would love to. I was able to observe her engaging the students in morning meeting, reading groups, writing, and a read aloud. I picked up on the language she used with the kids and how she got them to think about the work they were doing. As the week went on I was able to pick up on those skills and use her strategies in my classroom, with my first grade students.

I have just finished my second week of teaching at the Majuro Cooperative School. My students are already telling me they love me and they think that I am a great teacher. I have learned so much about myself in these two short weeks. I have learned that it is okay to be scared and not know what I’m doing. I now know that I can wing it when I need to and it will still turn out okay. I have learned that I pick things up very well and learn by observation and modeling professionals. I now know to ask for help when I need it because the people around are so willing to give it. I have learned not to be so hard on myself because teaching does take practice and I will learn how to be the best I can be. I have learned that I have a sweet, smart, loving class and I can’t wait to spend the year learning with them. 

Although it hasn’t been long I already feel at home at this school. I feel like I am one of the MadDogs, the Majuro Cooperative School’s mascot. It feels incredible to be in this beautiful place, surrounded by beautiful people.

I have been taking time after school and on the weekends to enjoy this amazing place and myself outside of work. I take walks with my friends, go to out to dinner, swim and snorkel, and just simply enjoy being here together. 

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship.” -Aeschylus

What’s adventure without risk?

Iakwe (Hello)!

I have been in Majuro for a week now and I am still adjusting to my new lifestyle. I have done so much in this past week, I don’t even know where to begin. I have met some incredible people and seen some amazing things.

My journey started in Boston at 6 AM on Thursday, July 23rd and I didn’t land in Majuro until Saturday, July 25th. I was able to spend a night in Hawaii and meet up one of my fellow teachers. We got along instantly and she has become one of my good friends here. We met several other teachers when we got on the plane in Honolulu and quickly became friends with another girl from Canada. The plane was delayed an hour because it was absolutely full and packed with so much luggage that it was 100 pounds overweight. Soon, we arrived on the tiny atoll, Majuro.

I haven’t stopped moving since we got here. The principals had planned activities from the minute we got here and through the weekend. On Sunday we took a boat to one of the outer islands, Enemanit, and it was absolutely beautiful. We got to go snorkeling and saw a plane and helicopter wreck not far from the shore.  The new teacher orientation started on Monday and there are about 13 new teachers. The first day of orientation included hearing several guest speakers and we were joined by WorldTeach. The speakers were very interesting and gave us some insight on the culture and history of the Marshall Islands. It was also neat to meet the people from WorldTeach. As the week went on we went to different places to learn more about the island in our orientation. We also had a few Marshallese language classes in the morning. The language is very hard to learn and retain, at least for me.

During the first few days, I kept thinking to myself, “what the hell did I get myself into?” (I am still asking myself this at some points throughout my days). When I saw my classroom, I remembered, I am here to help these children by giving them the best possible education that I can. Helping young children learn and grow to become successful later on in life is a major passion in life. Every time I remember this I feel a sense of belonging on this remote island.

While walking around the outer island, Enemanit, my Canadian friend Sara broke her flip-flop and said, “what’s adventure without risk?”  This quote has stuck in my mind since then because I think that it pertains to my adventure because of several factors. I have moved to an island people know little about to teach a grade I have had little experience with and leaving my family and friends. I think it goes without saying that I miss them and home more than anything. I think that this is all very risky, but it wouldn’t be an adventure without it.

Kommol Tata (Thank you)!

Hello world!

I could have taken two perfect jobs in two places that I call home—Northampton, MA and Plymouth, NH. I have had quite a bit of experience and was equipped for both jobs, but I have decided to take a different road and explore very far outside of my comfort zone.

Throughout college I dreamed about studying abroad, but my degree is in Early Childhood Studies and this required several practicums throughout the year, so I never got the chance to study abroad. I made it my goal after graduation to find an opportunity abroad, teaching or not. I searched on several different websites and one day searching on idealist.org, I found a first grade teaching position at the Majuro Cooperative School. This school is located on Majuro, which is the capital of the Marshall Islands.

My first question: where the heck are the Marshall Islands? 

I did my research and found that the Marshall Islands are located in-between Hawaii and Australia, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I went home and told my mom about this opportunity I had found and the next day I sent my resume and cover letter. Two days later I was asked to have a Skype interview with the elementary school principal, the high school principal, and the preschool teacher at Majuro Cooperative School. I was excited, but also very nervous thinking about what was going to happen next.

I kept doing my research about the island and the school, and a week later I was offered the position. I was thrilled, but my anxiety level was (and still is) very high. I was going to a music festival with my friends and took that weekend to think about the opportunity. I made pros and cons lists, I had several conversations with my friends and strangers about the job, and I came to a conclusion. I would take the job. I signed a contract for a two year teaching position in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

In learning more about the job and what it was going to offer, I found many benefits, besides the obvious new journey and experience. I have my flight there and back paid for at the beginning and end of my contract. I have my own apartment on the beach, paid for. I have an allowance to pay for electric and other appliances. The school has also signed up and paid for all new teachers to attend the Pacific Educational Conference, which is held in Majuro this year. This conference will begin our week long training before school starts on August 5th.

Everything happened so quickly, a month ago I was sending an email about my interest in the job, and now I am packing up to move half way across the world. I leave in a week to embark on this crazy, new adventure. I would not be able to travel this distance or step out of my comfort zone in several different ways if it wasn’t for the ongoing support of my family, friends and colleagues.