Friday, May 25, 2018

Master’s, Mentoring, Moving…Oh, my!


Master’s, Mentoring, MovingOh, my!

Master’s. As mentioned previously, in January I accepted a request to become Assistant Principal of Elementary School at Cowman International School. In order to help me become more qualified for this role, I have enrolled in a Master’s of Education in Administration and Instruction at Emmaus Biblical Seminary. This means, that about every other month, several of us at Cowman leave school a few hours early for a week of intensive class from 1:00-5:00. The classes are taught by professors from the States, but our class is full of representatives from many types of education in Haiti. From school teachers, directors, principals, to government officials- it is so exciting to see so many Haitian teachers using a quality Christian education program to better their schools. I am learning so much here! Si Dye Vle (Lord Willing), I will graduate with my Master’s in May of 2019. J

Mentoring. Though I was nervous to accept the VP position at first, I am finding that I really enjoy it! Most of what I do is mentoring and serving- somethings I love to do! I meet with three of the elementary teachers at least once a week to review lesson plans, answer questions, and make sure they have what they need to do the best they can for their kids. Not only does this help my confidence in my own teaching, but I get to learn from them as well! Coming from different backgrounds with different experiences, we all have a lot to offer each other. It allows me to get closer to my colleagues which is probably one of my favorite parts of the job. Next year, I will be adding several more teachers to my meeting rotations. This means I will spend a bit less time in my classroom, leaving my co-teacher, Ronald, to teach more lessons. Please pray for this! I am excited to mentor more teachers but giving away class time is bittersweet.

Moving. As some of you may know, for the past two years (and for my student teaching), I have lived on the One Mission Society compound in Vaudreuil, Haiti in House 7. This house has affectionately been dubbed, “The Chick House” because it is where many young women have lived. Over these years, House 7 has truly been a home to me. It is the first place that I have ever lived aside from my childhood home in Bensalem. Though I have loved living on campus with the other missionaries and with abundant fruit trees, the time has come for me to move to another location! Our field is in a bit of transition with people going retiring, returning to the States, and going on furlough This, as well as a few other things, have given the remaining missionaries the opportunity to branch off and find hew housing. I will now be living in an apartment building called Breda, just 10 minutes from school and my old compound! This is super exciting for me as it is the first time I’ve ever picked out my place. The location will also allow me to become more independent as well as closer to my Haitian family and friends. Please pray as my cats & I get adjusted.

Stay tuned for pictures/details about moving and about the end of the school year!