Proud to be Belizean

After travelling inland, and after nearly six weeks in Belize, I’ve discovered that Belizeans are proud to be Belizeans.  They come from many different backgrounds and there is quite an eclectic culture.  Each town has its own flare or flavor but most are quite diverse.  San Ignacio is a quaint mountain town full of people enjoying being alive.  After meeting several locals, they also seem to be quite happy with where they are.  They work hard but enjoy life.  San Pedro wasn’t much different in those regards.  However, San Pedro was more fast-paced (not fast by US standards).

The people value their heritage.  They express their passion for the Mayan culture through their stories.  They even carry the language in certain areas.  My students were also all passionate about their heritages.  They all told me where they came from and what their family has been doing.  Most of the San Pedranos are fisherman.  However, some of the students came from the mainland where their families are farmers or tour guides.  Being a tour guide is a well respected and well paid position.  It shows the importance of valuing the Belizean heritage.   

Finding the Band

While exploring San Ignacio on our last day inland, a few of us stumbled upon a group of kids forming a drum line.  We stopped and listened for a bit.  As we waited, we noticed more students coming up with more types of instruments (mostly brass).  We left to get Kyle’s camera and came straight back to find that even more members had shown up.  Now we even had dancers.  After listening and taking pictures, we talked with a couple of the leaders of the band.

 The band had only been together for a few months and already attended a national competition.  The guys in the band were eager to tell their stories about the process and importance of creating the marching band for the kids.  They even had children as little at 3 years old out practicing.  It keeps them focused and out of trouble.  The band needs more equipment in order to provide decent instruments for the students to play.  We hope to stay in contact and see what we can do as far as providing instruments for the students. 

ATM, Caracol, Waterfalls

At the entrance to ATM

The last week, on our inland trip, we went on some excellent excursions giving us a whole new perspective on Belize.  We started by going on the ATM cave tour.  This was a hike through the bush/rainforest, across rivers, and ultimately into mountains.  We entered the mouth of the cave by swimming through.  The water was cool and refreshing.  It was interesting how quickly and how deep the water got.  When you reach each new landing between the wading, you must be cautious in feeling around for your footsteps to get a good grip.  We walked 850 meters into the cave, stopping to admire the various formations, artifacts and human remains.  The cave diving was not for the faint of heart, but what a memorable experience.

Walking up on the main temple at Caracol

Our next excursion while inland consisted of a trip to the largest Mayan ruin site in Belize, Caracol.  After an extremely bumpy, 2 hour ride off road, we finally made it.  Our tour guide was amazing.  He knew so much Mayan history that I left feeling like I took a course in it.  The structures were unbelievably large and it was interesting to learn about their advancement in mathematics and technology.  They were also great astronomers.  After the day at Caracol, we relaxed by visiting Big Rock Waterfalls located near Caracol.  We did some serious rock climbing here in order to jump off the falls.  What an adrenaline rush.  I’ve never jumped off waterfalls but always wanted to do so.  I finally did and it got me craving for more. 

Science Trip Day 2 & 3

After waking up in a sweat because our air didn't work in Dangrigra we ate breakfast and got on the road.  Just before leaving, one of the students pointed out a starfruit tree to me.  So we picked one, washed it, sliced it, and ate it.  Mmmmm, there's nothing like fresh fruit!  Our first stop was Hot Mama's which is a hot sauce factory.  Habanero sauce, commonly referred to as "pepper" (although we might call it insanity sauce) is the most popular condiment in Belize.  Hot Mama's is one of the main brands like our Texas Pete.  We walked throught and saw peppers growing and then toured the process of making the sauce.  They are also know for their sweet pepper and mangonero sauces.  We had a taste testing and you better believe some bottles will be coming home.

Later that day we went to Western Dairies in Spanish Lookout.  This is a Mennonite Community.  The Mennonites are  similar the the Amish we have in the states.  They are Germans who immigrated for new opportunity.  Most of them are farmers and there aren't very many back in San Pedro unless they are selling their work.  They also make incredible furniture which we saw for sale along the roads.  The Dairy gets about 15,000lbs of Milk from about 50 farmers every day.  Unfortunately, due to recent renovations of the factory, we didn't get to tour.   But the guide explained all of the dairy products which was enhanced by some of the students' intricate questions.  After eating some delicious ice cream, we continued on our way.

We landed just outside San Ignacio, a beautiful little mountain town.  We stayed in a place called the Log Cabin.  There were hammocks, a pool, a nice cabana area, and mango trees (yes more fresh fruit straight from the tree).  After swimming in the pool for a bit to relax and cool down, we had a ceviche making contest: Boys vs Grils.  Naturally, I jumped right in.  There is nothing like making a new dish with locals.  Now I've got my own secret ceviche recipe.  Alas the girls had the better shrimp as they took more time to manicure it but our flavor was a little better.  Overall, the girls won, but we ended up combining both to make one large dish of shrimp ceviche.  Later that night, we sang karaoke.  Accompanied by "The Party Boys," Mr. Nick sang pretty woman for all to enjoy.  What a great bonding experience. 

The next morning we woke up and went to Old Belize where we met back with 3A.  This is a museum where I learned all about Belizean history.  We spent the rest of the day at the adjacent beach, Cucumber Beach.  There they students could zipline, swim, layout, or play volleyball.  I played volleyball with Ms. Ashton and some others from 4A.  Yes, we kicked butt. After a tiring day, we got back on the gigantic water taxi with 70+ passengers.  I learned my lesson.  On a choppy day on the way back from the city, don't sit in the back right corner of the boat.  Looking back, I would have been better off swimming all day.  I got drenched for over an hour worth of boat ride.  Little did I know most people got the info from parents that they should sit up front because it was a choppy day.  Some students, Mr. Kelly, and I took one for the good of the team.  What a journey.

Science Trip Day 1

Sleeping Giant

Wednesday, Ashton and I departed with the classes of 3A and 4A from San Pedro on their annual science trip.  Once we got to Belize City, 3A and 4A parted ways.  We went with 4A (some of the best students ever).  Every year, the academic classes take a science field trip in order to expose students to how science is being used in the country of Belize.  The first day we went to the citrus factory where they make fresh orange juice as well as orange juice concentrate.  It was quite hot but we had to wear pants into the facility.  While there, we entered the freezer and boy did if feel good to cool down.  The student reactions were quite entertaining.  Most of them have never felt air that cold in their lives.  It just felt like home to me.

Waiting for the bus..Belize time.

  I have never seen so many oranges in my life.  On the way there, through the hills and valleys, I saw several citrus farms with thousands of orange trees.  Not to mention the scenery was beautiful.  I got to see a whole new side of Belize, the mountains.  From a distance, you can see a mountain nicknamed "The Sleeping Giant."  It is quite similar to our Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

Dr. Petters

Dangriga Coast

After our time at the citrus factory, we went to Petter's Research Institute (PRI).  This organization, started by Dr. Airlie Petter's, seeks to create student-catalysts to synergize the scientific community around the globe.  It is located in Dangriga which is the cultural capital of Belize.  It is predominantly Garifuna population located right on the Caribbean.  Dr. Petter's currently works as a professor of physics in the physics department at Duke University.  It was truly an honor to meet such a respected physicist.  He gave our students a lesson on vectors which he explained the same way I explained to my students back in the states before I left to come to Belize.  It was quite an honor.

Introspection

Just enjoying some volleyball on the beach.

Belize has been a whole new world for me.  While at times it’s like paradise, I don’t quite think it’s the place for me to settle down and live.  Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love it here and extended vacations will be necessary in the future (unfortunately, summer is the off-season and for teachers long vacations usually take place during summer).  In the last 3.5 weeks, I’ve learned a lot about myself.  Nothing concerns me and as a matter of fact, I’m just more excited to be better-rounded.  

Starfish just hangin out.

1500m race on a grass track track while barefoot.

            In Belize, you must know how to go with the flow.  In the US, you must be planned in order to have a lesson run smoothly.  I’ve discovered here that I can teach a lesson being assigned the class five minutes before class started.  One of the teachers had to run to the bank because of a major mix-up so I covered her class.  Here, I’ve been teaching physics but I had to cover a math class.  The topic was area of irregular polygons.  The class was also very rambunctious.  However, I went over a few examples.  I let the students lead the class by having them tell me how to break the figures into several more familiar shapes, find the area of each individual shape, and then find the total area.  However, the majority of the class consisted of me trying to keep everyone on task.  The biggest challenge here is the discipline.  I have one class that consists of the most motivated and the best behaved students but the rest challenge me to hone in on my classroom management skills.  I’ve discovered I can raise my voice.  I’ve discovered I can motivate students to have an education.  And I’ve discovered I can let them have their wild moments as long as it’s not during class!

Snorkel and Caye Caulker

Notice the background.

Last Sunday was the best day we’ve had as a group on this trip.  We took a catamaran to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley to snorkel.  After a day of snorkeling, we went to Caye Caulker, the caye just south of Ambergris Caye.  We saw beautiful reef with tons of fish, everything from barracudas and sea turtles to giant sting rays and nurse sharks.  Our cre and guides were so much fun.  Willie, Wayne, and Reggae showed us a good time and provided fresh pineapple, watermelon, and home-made (rather boat made) salsa.  I’d never been on a catamaran but it was incredible.  A sail connected to two pontoons with a trampoline floor connecting them.  The weather couldn’t have been any better nor the water any clearer.  

 

When we stopped in Caye Caulker, we ate and shopped.  This is a much quitter, laid back island.  I think it gave us an impression of what San Pedro was like 20 years ago.  I bargained with the local vendors and must have saved 50% of asking price on a couple gifts.  However, I can do the same thing for about the same price right here in San Pedro.  Many people visit for a day and/or night and not much more because there isn’t a whole lot to do, but if you’re looking for somewhere to simply relax; it is the place to be.  I thoroughly enjoyed and wished I got to spend more time there.  To top it off, on our return journey, we traveled right next to dolphins (only 10 feet away from the boat).  

Yes a teal, navy, and yellow sailboat off the coast of Caye Caulker. Represent UNCW!

What I've learned from my teacher here

While being here, especially without any resources, I’ve learned how to discuss physics.  We read physics in class!  It is incredible.  Mr. Sedacy has shown me how to allow the students to create their own notes rather than copy notes from the board.  After we read, the students take a moment to makes notes summarizing what we’ve read.  Then, we discuss.  The students share with one another, in their own words, their view of what we’ve read and discussed.   I’ve learned to make them discuss in such a way that they assume whomever they talk with knows nothing of the topic. 

The old school cut and paste

I’ve also learned tactics for improvising.  The schedule changes everyday and sometimes we have random assemblies that throw off the entire day.  The copy machine hardly works.  Once, all the tests were missing four lines in the page.  We had to reprint that section multiple times and do the old school cut and paste with scissors and glue.  Another thing I learned is to make reference to their culture to make what we learned applicable to their lives.  We discussed nuclear energy and had a debate in class on the advantages and disadvantages of putting a nuclear power plant on the island.  It was quite entertaining to see the students go back and forth changing each other’s and their own minds constantly. 

Track Meet

We volunteered at the San Pedro High School intramural track meet.  Since, I’ve gotten really involved with the track and field team.  I talked with the coaches about working at the running store (Omega Sports).  I had a running singlet that really captured their eyes so I am going to try and see what we can do for the school down here.  The coaches asked me to travel with the team to the regional track meet in Orange Walk.  I was more than happy to take their offer.  

We took a water taxi to Belize City and caught a bus from there to Orange Walk.  The journey took about 3 hours.  Orange Walk is very different from San Pedro.  It is much smaller, more spread out, and definitely more rural.  Everything was easily half-price there compared with here on the island.  I think I spend $17 BZ between Thursday night and Friday.  The athletes from SPHS are extremely talented.  All of them ran, threw, or jumped in multiple events.  From the regional meet we took home 50 medals. 

The kids run barefoot and in random clothing on a 300m grass track.  If they had the proper gear, they’d be even better.  They are very young with few seniors but they train very hard.  Last year, only three or four of them went to the regional meet.  They’ve really turned the program around.  This year 35 students went to the regional meet.  Orange Walk is even hotter than San Pedro.  After being at the track from 7:30 to 5:30, I walked away with a nice tank top tan. 

Next weekend, I will be attending Nationals!!

First Lab

Today, I taught my first alb.  This was a quick activity where the students were investing the random nature of radioactive decay.  We used coins to represent decayed and undecayed particles.  The students started with 100 or more coins.  They tossed the coins and kept the “heads-up” coins as they represented undecayed particles.  None of the students threw coins at each other!  My 4a class happened to be very well behaved and some of the most mature students on this island.  It definitely makes a difference when students behave themselves because it makes teaching them so much easier.  Next week, I will interlude with a math lesson to model the logarithmic nature of the half-life concept.  They will also have a chance to discuss current events such as the radioactive emissions from the nuclear plants in Japan.  Being able to relate the topics in any discipline to the lives of the students and to real-life situations allows the students to see the importance of what they are studying.  Not to mention, it also makes them global citizens.  If I can do anything in my teaching career, it will be to make my students globally aware of various aspects of life on this planet.

Everyone needs to dive off the reef! More pictures to come in regards to that.

By the way, we had the hottest day of the year so far.  91°F with a “feels-like” temperature of 110ºF.  I hate it for everyone who still has cold weather.

Comparison-Just a few similarities and differences because there are many.

After several classroom visits and observations in the US I could pick out those who exceed, those who are on par, and those whose grades suffer because they don’t complete their assignments.  The learning curve here in Belize seems to be very similar.  Most of the students failing here don’t complete their homework, don’t study, and flat out don’t participate.  This is quite a shame because they are paying for their education. 

Another similarity I have witnessed, at least with my partnership teacher here, is that he reaches many learning styles.  We read in our physics class!  Students read, the teacher reads, students write summaries on their own, and the teacher provides a summary.  They make up sayings or chants to remember equations.  They perform laboratory exercises in order to “do” physics.  Students are actively engaged in their learning just like I learned they should while studying at UNCW in my methods courses.

There are lots of chatty teens at San Pedro High which is exactly like every high school I’ve seen.  My teacher seems to know how to scold the students without being overly loud or disrupting the flow of the lesson.  Some call him “Padre” because he was training to be a priest for six years and I think many of them fear him although, he laughs and jokes with them often. 

One more similarity is sports in the high school but more to come with that later. 

All of the science equipment. Student purchase the rest.

A different similarity is the lack of money.  We are lacking money in the US for education as many of us spend hours with endless conversations on how to deal with the budget.  The lack of money here is different because they hardly have anything.  When I say this, I mean there is barely enough money to ration copies to teachers just for tests.  Before making a test, the teacher must get the test approved by the department chair and then the chair makes copies.  The rest of the books and resources are minimal which is why we brought as many materials as we could for the schools and for us to use while teaching. 

            The scheduling is also quite different.  After second form (sophomore year) students enter a business or academic track.  The business track prepares for the working world and has more students than the academic track which prepares students for college and university.  I work in the academic side with juniors and seniors teaching physics and maybe a little chemistry if I am lucky.  My students also take math, biology, English, information technology, and Spanish.  They stress physics here and students take the sciences both 3^rd and 4^th form (junior and senior year).

The student stay in the same class all day (8 periods) unless the have class in the computer or science labs.  Teachers rotate and visit the different classes they teacher.  No teachers have their own classroom except the computer teachers.  All other teachers share a large room and this is where they have their desks and do their planning.  My Mondays are busy but the rest of the week I have many breaks (planning and resting periods) throughout the day.  Each day of the week has its own schedule.  I don’t know if I will be here long enough to adjust to that. 

Grading is also different.  They work on a pass-fail system.  Below 70 is failing which is like our system.  The rest of the grading just determines the class rank.  Whoever has the highest overall average in every class is valedictorian.  They use a mark (point) system.  Each assignment is out of a teacher-determined amount of points.  Students receive points throughout each of the three terms.  The points are added and divided by the total amount for all three terms.  The final average must be over 70 to be considered passing.  If you do not pass, you have an opportunity in summer to make up but if you do not, you must repeat the entire form over. 

This was a very long post and I had to shorten it as to not bore all the readers. Hope you enjoy and more to come soon.

First Day

 

First Day

Today was our first day in the schools.  I am working with Mr. Ricardo Sedacy.  He is an amazing teacher.  After one day of observations, I have already seen the teacher that I would like to become one day.  He is very smart and knows how to keep the students interested with his quick wit and real life applications.  Everyday of the week our schedule is different.  Today was the busiest day.  We had the same physics class for three periods (4a Physics which is senior level physics.)  There are several breaks throughout the day which I would consider planning periods.  During this time we plan and talk about how we will see if the students understand the lessons.  I have homework to do for Wednesday but it is only 3 problems so I think I can manage.  This will be the first time I am teaching a physics class.  Darn! I had to come all the way to Belize to teach physics.