Kari Teaching in Cool Places : 2011

In a couple of hours we will be picked up and taken to the airport. We have a 11 hour flight from Windhoek to Frankfurt, Germany, 4 hour lay over, and then another 10 hour flight to Seattle. I can not believe we are at this point. Thanks for following my blog and sending such kind responses. It has been fun being able to share this experience with all of you!

Within the next 45 hours I will be home in Tacoma. On Wednesday I begin my student teaching at Stanley Elementary on the Hill top. By the following wednesday, I will be completely phased in as the teacher in a second grade classroom. It was hard to leave my students in Namibia-- but I do truly miss all of my little guys in Tacoma!

p.s. CAN'T wait to come back :)

LOVE, Kari Lee<3

The first thing you are told as you enter education is that you need to build relationships with your students. Once your students know and feel that you care for them, they will care about their education. Creating loving relationships with my students in Namibia was easy. It was easy to love them, and it was fun going to school everyday. Saying our good-byes and parting ways, was not.

It was an emotional day. As I greeted every class into my classroom, I cried. When I talked, I cried. When I read, I cried. Definition: Hot mess. My kids laughed at me, pretended to sob with me, actually cried, or my least favorite…” Miss do not waste your tears.”

There was no waste about my experience here, or the relationships I built with my students. Student teaching in Namibia was one of the best decisions of my life. My students have taught me so much—and I will always carry them in my heart.

Not being able to do any lesson what-so-ever I ended up playing soccer or camp games with my classes. It was a good day just enjoying one another, and playing in the sun. At one point my 7^th graders faced Bri’s 6^th graders to a soccer match. It was fun, but sort of mania with about 70 kids on the field.

At the end of the day it was a swarm of hugs. More crying. I think a lot of us felt like it was unfair just getting up and leaving our students. But if anything I know that our time here we left a seed. We did something. We loved them. We showed them we cared for them. And we let them know we believed in them. I know that I am not done with Namibia. In some capacity I will be back.

Directly after leaving school we went right to the orphanage. This was another hard parting. We really have grown to love everyone in the Doloman house. It is hard leaving kids who we know have been left before. They are such great kids, but it is comforting knowing they will always have aunt Else. She is such an amazing human being. Incredibly loving and accepting to everyone. The children are so lucky to have her.

2nd to Last Day

ART Lesson on Landscapes. I had my students draw Katatura. We have such a good view from Moses. I was stunned cause this is my talkative class, but they were completely silent and just drawing. It was awesome.

Hi, Back

Who was greeting us when we get to the orphanage......? SPIDER MAN

Amazing Person.

Be cuter.

LAST DAY

My classroom is a safe environment...I love when my learners take my camera.

Finishing Picassos

I am an embarrassing teacher. No Shame

My last message

My students reactions as I cry and take pictures...hilarious.

Soccer

They were blown away by my skills.

Bri and Kari's squads face off.

There was not a dry eye..or not a moment when we were not making fun of Ms. Kari

7B learns little Ms. Sally

Last Art Class

Johannes, my little buddy. Love him

Looking sooo good at this point. I wish I was a pretty crier.

Some of my favs dropping the V-Day Beat......

Chasing our car. We Love you Moses!

Bri's gift. haha actually horrible van ride

One of many letters I received from a student. No worries, I never wore anything remotely close to this outfit. Confused where the inspiration came. Yes my hat does say teacher.

Orphanage