First Week of School = Success!

First Week Of School

We all survived our first weeks of school!! (huge sigh of relief!) There is a lot to tell, so sit back, relax, and read on!

My roommate Ashley and I teach at the same school, (along with Melinda and Heidi, who live in an apartment above us)and we take a bus part of the way to school, then walk the rest of the way. It’s not too hot in the morning, and it’s a nice walk, alongside a lagoon and park. We get to school at about 7:30, an hour before school starts. On the first day we were really nervous! We didn’t know how many kids we would have, how much English they could speak, or what they would be like. And since I don’t have a classroom, and float between rooms during other teacher’s prep periods, I got to school on the first day not knowing where some of my classes would be! 

But it all worked out. We had an assembly, then began classes. I told all my students that I would be giving them journal assignments every day, so we started on those and then we went over classroom rules and procedures. All during orientation, we were told that the first day and the first week are critical to the rest of the year. If you don’t establish clear guidelines, procedures, and expectations for your students in the first days, then the rest of the year you may be struggling. You can be strict at the beginning and ease up as the year goes on, but it’s nearly impossible to be lenient at the beginning and then try to gain control (as I learned first hand while substitute teaching!) 

Well, I was trying my hardest to have clear expectations and structure to my classes. Which was a bit difficult, since the schedule changed EVERY DAY. On the first day it was a regular 1-6, with lunch after 3^rd period. The next day it was reversed (6^th period first, 1^st period last). Wednesday was all mixed up some classes (like 3,4,and 5) in the morning, then class meetings and lunch, then periods 6,1,and 2. Nuts. Thursday was different again, and Friday we had a Back to School assembly in the morning, then periods 4,5, and 6. Then Lunch, and after that a school dance. (The assembly and the dance were hilarious)

So even with a crazy schedule that changed every day, I was still able to get some things done in my classes. My first period was more difficult, because on the second day I had twice as many students show up. All of the new students had been registered for my class. So it was like having the first day all over again. Then on Wednesday I had another 6 or so come in, with my name on their schedules. This is a U.S. history class, and there is another U.S. history class taught by a different teacher that has only 2 kids in it!! So here I am with 30 kids, 9 of which did not have desks on Thursday, and there’s another class with just two. Again, it’s a bit crazy.

Even with all this craziness, I apparently was able to exercise some control over my classes. One of my juniors went to my department head (who is the most awesome lady ever, by the way) and asked to transfer out of my class. When she asked why, the student said “Because Miss Mills is too strict!”. My department head answered, “So you want to transfer out of a good class where you’re really going to learn into a class where the teacher will actually hit you?” of course the kid said no. And yes, corporeal punishment is very present here. Technically it’s illegal, but it still happens. However, us WorldTeachers would NEVER hit our students.

So even though I don’t have a classroom, I am getting used to it. It’s really not too bad, because I have 4^th period in the library and the A/C is always on Full Blast in there, which is awesome. 2 of my other classes are also in rooms with A/C, but the other teachers don’t always turn it on all the way. Plus, I’ve had students help me carry my stuff back and forth. The only drawback will be next week, when we get our new textbooks. I’m going to have to enlist more kids to move them from room to room, and hopefully none get lost in the process. All this week, we never knew the schedule until we got to school and saw the bulletin, but starting next week we are on a regular schedule, which will be nice. 

I feel like there is so much more, but I am running out of time. And I never know when the internet will decide to stop working. So I’m going to say adios for now, and hopefully I can get pictures up next week!!

Love and miss you all

"The Internet is on Samoan Time"

So, the title of this post is the reason why I haven't been writing, sharing pictures, or contacting many people very much in the last week. (Wow, I can't believe it's been only a week! SO much has happened!) Peter pointed out that the internet was on Samoan time, and it definitely is. Half the time we can't connect to it, and when we do it's only on the porch by Heidi and Melinda's apartment or in their living room. And even then, it's usually very slow and the connection will usually time out more than once.

Since I may have a limited amount of internet time, I will try to fill you in as quickly as possible!
A week ago we moved out of the classrooms we were staying at in Nu'uuli VocTech, and into our homes! Our apartment is in Pava'ia'i. There is a laundromat and little store just steps from our front door, and everywhere you look there's lush green palm trees and plants. The Samoan family that we are renting from lives on the property and they had us join in on a blessing of the house. We got to eat Samoan food cooked in an umu (outdoor oven, that Peter helped prepare!) and we served the village chiefs before eating. Quite an experience!

This past week we visited our schools and got room assignments. Alas, I am the unlucky one who doesn't actually have a classroom. There just aren't enough rooms at my school, but the principal says she is still working on trying to get me one. But I'm not getting my hopes up. So I'll just be floating from room to room wherever someone has a prep period. Was I upset at this news? Yes. Will I be flexible and deal with it? Yes. Being patient and flexible is the key to sanity (or partial sanity at least) here on the island.

Also this week we attended orientations by the DOE on the new revised standards and benchmarks for our subject areas. Did these seem long and repetitive? Yes. However I did meet some pretty cool teachers that I'm sure I'll be able to use as a resource this year.

My birthday is tomorrow!! I have received care packages from my family and cards from friends. Last night we went out and celebrated. The WorldTeach group bought a Samoan flag and they all signed it with birthday wishes for me. Such a cool idea!! I was very touched. Today I was going to go snorkeling, but it has been rather rainy all day so I just laid low and hung out at home, resting up for the week ahead. School starts on Monday!! Let the madness begin!!

(I will upload pictures later, the internet is still on Samoan time!)

Before I go, I will share the BEST news of the week:: I will be home in time for Anna's high school graduation!!! (Sorry Millie, I'll still miss your 4 hour Whitworth graduation) I was SO happy when I found out!! 

End of Orientation

Wow, three weeks went by fast! Tomorrow we are having brunch at Sadie's then doing some last minute cleaning, then heading to our houses/apartments! It's hard to believe that I will not see these people every day. Yes, I am excited to have a real bed (instead of a foam mattress on the floor), and a place to unpack all my things, and to just get settled in and ready for school. However, it is bittersweet because I have become close to and very fond of the other volunteers. Six of them will be leaving for the outer islands (Manu'a) and we won't see them for months, which is crazy to think about. I am going to be living in an apartment in the village of Pava'ia'i, which is on the west side of the island. There are 8 of us at this place, in 3 different apartments ( two 3-bedroom, and one 2-bedroom). I'll be sure to post pictures ASAP!

Fa'afetai, Nu'uuli PolyTech H.S.!

Last night we went to the airport to see Alison (last year's field director) off. She is heading back to Portland (yeah! another Northwest girl!) for a couple weeks then returning to AmSam to work at the community college. Well, going to the airport here is a huge deal. There is even a tv show called "flight night" that films all the people coming and going through the airport. So we all went and actually had a great time, even though we didn't see any cameras. I think you can go on YouTube and search "Flight Night American Samoa" and find the show. I wouldn't know because YouTube is blocked here at the school.

Saying Tofa to Alison

 Julie and I at flight night!

Orientation has kept us pretty busy the last few days. We have been teaching 20-minute lessons to some Samoan students in the afternoon for the last 3 days. I've really enjoyed watching how the other volunteers teach their subject, and how the students respond. I taught Geography and the Explorers for my lessons, and I feel like they went really well! One of the students even said that he hadn't had that much fun in history in a long time! Score one for Amanda! Now if only all my lessons this year will go that well.....oh well, I can dream!

 

 Check out this mural, on a building by the library in Utulei

 

School bus that drove us into the jungle

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Beautiful Day

We have been going, going, going with Orientation, and were able to have a good chunk of this weekend free! So Melinda, Julie, Katherine and I headed to Fatu Rock (Flower Pot Rock) to snorkel and catch some sun. It's still hard to believe that this is not a vacation! Perhaps next week when we head out to our living placements and start getting ready for school it will really sink in.

 Since this is a more conservative culture, we need to be more covered up while swimming....No Bikinis!!

I was able to go to mass this morning at Holy Family Cathedral. It was a gorgeous church. It had large windows on all sides that were open to let in the breeze. This is our last week of Orientation, and it is filled with teaching practice lessons, visiting the national park, more Samoan language classes, and last but not least, moving out! I know we'll all be glad to get settled into our houses/apartments, and stop sleeping on foam mattresses on the floor. However we've all become pretty close and it'll be weird to not be with everyone all the time.
I bought some fabric our first day here, and then Drew and Alison gave us our WorldTeach fabric so we could get ie's made (pronounced ee-ay) which are long skirts that tie at the waist. they are actually longer for girls (around ankle length) than for boys (just below the knee, usually).

Those of us teaching at Nu'uuli Voc-Tech talked to our principal last week and found out what classes we will (likely) be teaching. I could not believe my luck when she handed me the schedule and it had 2 sections of US History and 3 sections of World History! Not only do I absolutely LOVE these subjects, but I have experience teaching them (I taught 3 sections of World History during my student teaching). Getting that information definitely relieved some of the stress I was feeling about teaching!

Some funny things: 

1.We are eating school lunches during the week. These are...questionable....to say the least. The first day we had one that was eggs on a hamburger patty, on a bed of rice, all topped with gravy. Appetizing! 

2. A few of us have been frequenting the Carl's Jr. down the road. One day, two employees introduced themselves to us, and on Friday when Quinn and I went back, they remembered us. We started chatting and they insisted that we sit down and share their banana cream pie. Then one of the women tried to buy us a plate of nachos.

3. People here usually drive fairly slow. around 20-30mph. So the other night when a pickup went speeding by (at probably 35-40) we were shocked and quite surprised. What's going to happen when I get home next year and people are driving 50-60mph? 

Here are some more pictures from the last 2 weeks!

 V for VocTech! Ashley, Heidi, Melinda and I are all teaching at Nu'uuli.

 The market in Fagatogo

 "Fast Food"..?

 A big group of us went to see HP7!

 Tree down Tasi st. (1st st) in Nu'uuli

 On the 2nd floor of VocTech H.S.

The whole group on our island tour

Toes in the sand at Fatu Rock

This has been a long post, but I hope you enjoyed it! 

Until next time, take care, and manuia le aso (have a nice day!)

Busy Days!

Talofa Everyone!!

On Saturday we took a tour around the island (we are on Tutuila. 5 islands make up American Samoa.) It was incredible. We were in awe with each curve in the road. It is still hard to believe that this will be our everyday life for a year. However, paradise does come with its own drawbacks. There are several stray/wild dogs roaming around the island, and some are very aggressive. (remedy: carry a big stick, and sometimes pretending to pick up a rock will make them back off. You can also try saying "Halu!" which means go away.) Another thing is the trash that is everywhere. Recycling doesn't exist here, and it's sad to look out towards the ocean and see trash all along the road and in the parks.

Yesterday we hiked up to Blunt's Point, a historical landmark (yay!) that was the Naval gun site during WWII. There are two cannons up there that helped to protect the harbor. While up there, we talked about culture shock, and how to deal with it. I know it will happen to all of us sooner or later, if it hasn't already!

Starting to get anxious for the start of school which is August 8. (Yes, that is the day after my birthday! Ah! The 7th is also Wes and Cat's anniversary, they are the married couple among our group.)

Here are some pictures, enjoy!!

At Sliding Rock, near the village of Leone...my hair is caught in the wind!

The island of Anu'u

Cannon!

Orientation

We have only been on island for a few days, but already it seems like two weeks! We are really starting to bond as a group and we are getting along really well! There are some amazing, creative, hilarious, and incredibly smart people in this group of 23 volunteers, and I know I'll be able to count on them and Drew and Allison (current and former field directors) for support throughout the year!

We have been pretty busy each day, with classes ranging from Samoan Language and Classroom Set-Up, to Curriculum and Health & Safety. Today we were given blue fabric with the WorldTeach American Samoa logo on the bottom, so we can have them sewn into lava lava's (long skirts that tie at the waist) to wear for school and such. We are also encouraged to buy fabric and have a puletasi made (or two!) for formal occasions as well. A puletasi is traditional island dress, and consists of a skirt and matching shirt. They are absolutely beautiful, and once I get them made I will be sure to post pictures!

Like I said, we have been pretty busy with orientation activities, and free time has been spent getting cell phones and setting up bank accounts (which takes forever!!). Our group has been split up into smaller groups that make dinner on certain nights. So far we've had spaghetti and breakfast for dinner - pancakes, eggs, bacon - plus a little entertainment (Peter is awesome at juggling!).

Tomorrow we head out for a tour around the island, which I am very much looking forward too. We haven't seen much except for Nu'uuli (where we are staying), Utulei, and Fagatogo. Also tomorrow several of us plan to see the newest (and final!) Harry Potter film! Yes, there is a movie theater here, within walking distance. Those of you who know how much I love going to the movies, and how obsessed I am about Harry Potter could probably imagine my excitement!

I will leave you with a picture taken the other day in front of an aiga bus. These are the main mode of transportation on the island (hitchhiking is also very common, we just need to be safe and always have a friend with us!) . A ride on these colorful buses is just a dollar (a quarter for school kids), and you are treated to a nice island breeze through the open window and a crazy but entertaining mix of music, from US top 40 pop hits to island reggae to a Samoan kid singing his own version of Justin Beiber.

Tofa! (Goodbye!)

Is this real life?

We have landed in American Samoa!! After flying from Spokane to Portland, then to LA, the ever awesome Ty Hatcher picked me up from the airport and took me to the hotel where all the volunteers were staying the night. we hung out for awhile, then went to get dinner and then donuts at this amazing little place. It was so good to see a familiar face after I landed! After I said goodbye to Ty (my last goodbye before leaving!), all of the volunteers met down in the lobby before we headed to bed.

 My good friend Ty, right before buying me donuts!

The next morning, we left the hotel at 7 and made our way to and through LAX. After a 5 and a half hour flight to Hawaii, a 4 hour layover, then another 5 hour flight, we were in AmSam! It was 9:30pm local time, which is 4 hours behind the west coast. We were greeted by Drew and Allison, current and former feild directors for the program, plus a woman who is the principal for one of the high schools. I was able to call home and luckily got ahold of mom right before going to bed.

This morning, most of us were up early to watch the sunrise, which in itself was worth the trip! So far today we have gone from Nu'uuli (where we are staying) to Utulei, to do activities, a scavenger hunt, and general exploring. we have a bit of downtime right now before starting our first lesson in Samoan language!

Wow this is long, but one last thing! We were all warned that our teaching placements could change at any minute, up until the days before school. Sure enough, mine changed right before I left home! I will (as of now) be teaching at Nu'uuli Vocational High School (which is where we are staying right now for orientation) and I will be teaching......drum roll please......SOCIAL STUDIES!!! I could not be more excited! I was assigned English before, which I was perfectly happy with, but history and geography are my passions and I have my degree in Social Studies Education, so this could not be more perfect. Just keep your fingers crossed that it won't change again!!!

I miss you all, keep in touch, and keep reading!