`I can’t help it,’ said Alice very meekly: `I’m growing.’
`You’ve no right to grow here,’ said the Dormouse.
`Don’t talk nonsense,’ said Alice more boldly: `you know you’re growing too.’
`Yes, but I grow at a reasonable pace,’ said the Dormouse: `not in that ridiculous fashion.’
Sometimes it’s hard for me to keep up with my students. I’ve got to stay on my toes and always two steps ahead. When Tweedledee told another child to “Eat my chones,” I was thankful for every Spanish lesson that I’ve taken. Sometimes my district provides free Spanish lessons for teachers but they’re only held at a few locations and none of them are near my home or school. I spent some of my summers in Guatemala living with a family and taking classes but I wonder why this experience isn’t more encouraged and, dare I say it, financially supported?
I have to translate every notice home, directions for homework every day, and oral instructions for assessments, not to mention the day-to-day workings of a classroom. It’s an essential skill for doing my job well and I wish that it was recognized as such.
–guestblogger Alice in Eduland