School’s Start

You saw the pictures of the parade of flags and opening ceremonies from last week; the opening of doors to the new year slammed shut the door of retirement, no more leisurely time of choice. As it turned out,  the pace was perfect:  Monday’s 8 minute meet and greet with parents went quickly.  Tuesday we had an equally short time with students, not even starting until after 2:00 p.m. because the opening ceremonies took and hour and a half.  After that the students were given time for goodbyes with parents and hellos to former friends before they went through their separate orientation meetings.  Then came tryouts for various things such as theater productions or music auditions, and other activities.  Only after all of that did they have a brief 8 minute tour of each of their classes. Then Wednesday through Friday we finished the week with normal school days.  This abbreviated academic week was just enough to get started, but not be wearing, a wise way to begin after all the energy needed for the new year and adjustments for students, faculty, and staff.  The concern about the gap in teaching is now a non-issue.

Before saying more, I must preface the comments that follow with a statement context about the students.  In the little over a week I’ve seen them, they are unlike any student body I’ve ever taught.  Respectful to adults and one another and focused in work sums up the overall attitude.  Yes, there are differences in maturity and ability, but I’ve not observed a negative or defiant attitude.  In addition to respect is responsiveness in class and willing compliance with requests.  That's who they are.

Fortunately, having been mentored by a godly principal at the beginning of my teaching career, the concept of teaching the whole person (not just a brain at the desk) has been the norm. Our pre-school orientation sessions focused on this more, using the term “teaching redemptively.”  The goal is to discard approaches based on factory education where one size fits all and address not only academics but the total person.  That’s vague, so perhaps illustrating this approach in one area will give you a feel for it...I’ll use study hall.

My past experience could be described as “military silence required”  so those who wish to study can.  Not the approach here.  The seniors and NHS students can sign out any and every day.  Students who remain are permitted to visit, listen to music with earbuds, and/or eat if they wish.  Envisioning chaos, that just did not set well with me when I first heard it, but I listened to the explanation.  They are given this choice because the long school day is often followed by activities for most, and from there to a dorm for many of those.  They have need of some down time, and this allows students to choose when that best fits.  Also involved with the rational, many of these students are here only during their high school years, primarily as juniors and seniors, away from family already and headed to college in the States for the most part.  BFA is a transition time for them in learning to make good choices, and the responsibility needs be begin resting on their shoulders.  Also, administration does not want us to assume an adversarial role, but rather a facilitating one.  Weekly we do get a report, and if anyone in below 70% that triggers a discussion about the choices they are making. Recognition of maturation is built in by allowing more freedom for seniors, as well as recognition of the need for growth in decision making under supervision.  I’ve been most impressed with how well this has worked.  Those who remain (and sometimes seniors do so) use the time well.  Conversations that do go on are mainly at the beginning and do not disrupt others.  The redemptive approach goes farther than just these practices in study hall, but you now have an idea how different it can be.  Obviously a large part of this success also has to do with the student population and their parents, college educated believers for the most part who recognize authority beyond themselves and deference for others, and they have raised their children in that manner.

After the first full three days, finally the weekend arrived.  In thirty plus years of teaching, I’ve never had a first weekend like this. Oh, I’ve experienced hurricane weekends right after starting the school year or go-home-exhausted-after-the-first-week-and-collapse weekends, but would you believe they planned a teacher’s retreat for the first weekend (making planning for two weeks necessary at the beginning) just to further flesh out the idea of redemptive teaching?!  This falls under the category of “someone has to do it,” so, dutifully, I signed up for the weekend...a three hour trip to the Swiss Alps at the Jantz Team  chalet.  Can you believe that!  Yes, we did meet with intent, but there was also provision for plenty of “white time”...games, excursions, food and visiting. Not only that, the weather, which can be rainy, was perfect:  sunny, clear blue skies, cool yet not cold temperatures, and low humidity.  Those Swiss homes with all the cutesy sculpted wood eves and flower baskets from railings really exist outside of Disney World.  I played my first game of Risk (on a German game-board) and won! (Don’t be mislead, that was only only because of the communal help given.) To top it off, my bed (a bunk) was even more comfortable than the one at my apartment.

At then end we returned to Germany, some cars making side excursions.  Two cars, seven of us, went to a Swiss castle built right on a gorgeous lake in the 1500s that is now a museum.  Before touring we ate our sack lunches in the beautifully landscaped garden area.  While outside, alone, I just stared at the colorful, manicured formal walkways and garden areas with its vibrant yellows, whites and reds outlined in green, and then looked up at the turrets and zebra striped shutters against the brilliant blue sky...and tears came to my eyes.  THIS had never been part of my plan, I can’t think that large.  It was His gift to me.  I later told someone that if felt like He did all of this for me and just let all these other people come along for the ride.  Sometimes there are not adequate words to express “blessed.”

Upon our return to Kandern it was necessary to get supper.  While gone we missed out on most of the Budenfest, an annual weekend event here.  Each of the clubs--wrestling, accordion, gymnastic, tennis, pingpong, etc.--set up booths (we’re talking major lumber and wood panel construction with heavy equipment hauling it and building it for three days type of set up) that sell food and beverages (yes, lots of beer) as their source of fundraising for the year.  (I actually had to give up things to go on that retreat, a little sympathy please.)  Of course each evening there is a band complete with accordion and dancing--into the wee hours of the morning I’ve been told.  Thankfully our 22 inch thick stone walls and being a block or two away kept me from knowing this first hand.

Yes, there is work going on here.  The Environmental Science curriculum and text need lots of pulling together--no scope and sequence and the student text is college level.  As a result many hours daily are spent pulling from a variety texts and other resources to plan what needs to be introduced and when.  Getting a big picture is difficult so early in the year.  Do pray for wisdom with that. My t.v. worked for one day, but there has been no time in the evenings to even miss it.  That will give you an idea that the days are filled...walking everywhere takes time, preparation is a huge factor going on even into the evenings, keeping up with e-mails and writing all keep me busy.  It’s good; things are beginning to fall into a routine.  I’m thankful for that, but also on the horizon is a pottery festival in two more weeks...then fall and all of its colors....   :)  Hope keeps us going.