Week 12. The week that marked 81 days since I had completely broken out of my comfort zone in order to embark on the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ll be honest, at the beginning of this beautiful adventure I had a countdown going; however, I can say that by the end I was actually dreading the end of that countdown. This week not only marked the end of my time in St. Lucia, but it was also the end of term two at the Montessori Centre. Do you know what that means? It means we had a fun-filled, relaxing week to wrap up the term! Week 12 was packed with smiles, tears, dancing, hugs, and so many sweet little moments! On Monday, the students were able to bring in board games. I don’t have much else to share about Monday, so enjoy these pictures! |
On Tuesday we were forced to roll with the punches a little bit. Grades two and three were supposed to spend the entire day outside having a picnic—eating junk food, playing sports, and enjoying the beautiful weather. I even learned how to play cricket! I’m not a very good bowler or wicket keeper (aren’t you impressed with my cricket lingo?!), but it was just another piece of their culture that I was able to embrace! While we were able to spend an hour or so outside, Mother Nature had different plans for us that day. Unfortunately, it ended up raining majority of the day. Nothing seems to dampen (pun intended) their spirits, though, because they decided to build blanket forts in the classroom instead! I knew Wednesday would be a packed day, so I took advantage of our free time and finally got some class pictures with both my class and the other grade three class I taught. How can you not love them?! We had a few conferences after school, but after those it was time to relax at the marina with a few teachers from school! We spent the evening sharing stories, delving into the wonderful—and challenging—moments in teaching, and wondering why we had taken so long to do this! It was such a great evening.
my grade three class
the other grade three class
the other grade three class
Wednesday…oh, Wednesday. No matter how much I tried to remain positive and remind myself that these goodbyes are not permanent, the end of the day was difficult. With that being said, I truly could not have asked for a better last day at the Montessori Centre. To FINALLY wrap up sports, we started Wednesday by running our marathon. I know what you’re thinking, and do not fret, the “marathon” is less than two miles long. I began by bringing up the caboose with the other grade three teacher. We eventually caught up with a few girls from my class, whom I ended up chasing up a nice, steep hill. “Teacher Taylor, try to catch us!” Little did they know, Teacher Taylor doesn’t back down from a challenge! As if I were not hot enough already, I decided to hang out with some of my boys during recess. Of course it didn’t take long before they were challenging me to a pick-up game of basketball. I was all for it until they suggested the teams…”EVERYBODY AGAINST TEACHER TAYLOR!” As a 90s baby, I have been waiting SO long to use this phrase, but I truly was saved by the bell! Recess ended, and I was spared a basketball butt-kicking from a bunch of 8 year olds. Wednesday afternoon was the awards ceremony for all of the different sports events…nothing exciting to report about this; however, the real fun started after the ceremony. Our gym teacher hooked his phone up to one of the big speakers and I ended up accidentally starting an impromptu dance party. While it’s incredibly cliche, we truly were dancing as though nobody were watching! I have no idea how long we were dancing, who was watching us, or how ridiculous we (ok, mostly just me) looked, but I do know it is one of my favorite memories from my time in St. Lucia! |
In short, Thursday was just filled with a few more goodbyes, a few hours in a car, a few hours in airports, and a few hours on planes. But, we FINALLY got to eat a cheeseburger! We had been waiting 81 days for that delicious cheeseburger. Even more exciting than the cheeseburger, we were reunited with our loved ones! We were exhausted from a full day of travel, but very excited to be home.
Dorothy said it best, there truly is no place like home. While my true home will forever be Wisconsin Rapids, “home” means so much more to me. St. Lucia became my new home, and I am so thankful for the people that welcomed me into their country, school, and house for the last 3 months.
So now that I am back, what is next for me? I will be completing my second student teaching placement by teaching eighth grade math and science. Even though my travels are done for the moment, I am nowhere near finished…I’m just getting started! I have no idea where I will end up next, but that is all part of the journey!
So now that I am back, what is next for me? I will be completing my second student teaching placement by teaching eighth grade math and science. Even though my travels are done for the moment, I am nowhere near finished…I’m just getting started! I have no idea where I will end up next, but that is all part of the journey!
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:18--
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:18--