I have been working hard on developing a topic list at the request of a few teachers in efforts to make the library more user friendly for teachers seeking to incorporate the books into specific lessons. This is a vital aspect to the sustainability of the library because the Teachers must also buy into the importance of keeping the library up and running, whats in it for me?
I have transitioned my focus from working with small groups and individuals in remediation. I could write a book on this but bottom line, I am not a trained teacher, literacy instruction on that level is not something I am passionate about and I also felt the students I was working with needed more time , energy and expertise than I was able to give. What happens to those students? Well, they go back into the classroom. They miss out on 60 minutes of supplemental instructional time a week. Did those 60 minutes a week help them academically, I am not sure. Was there some benefit of them being singled out (Hawthorne Effect), most likely yes. However, with 6 months left in my service I guess I felt my presence at the school could be put to "better" use. I still interact with my students from last year, I encourage them to utilize the library...so yea, that is that.
I applied for a grant over the summer with the Mustique Charitable Trust Foundation to obtain funding for the renovation of our Literacy Center. The vision of this center is to create an interactive educational space for students to obtain supplemental instruction in the area of Literacy as well as have the opportunity to engage in self guided learning activities. We will have different stations : Drama, Art, Oral , Written in the room with many teaching aids and manipulatives to enhance the students experience. My hope is that many of the students that have consistently struggled with reading and writing from year to year will finally be able to receive the additional help they deserve , in a warm welcoming space by a trained teacher equipped to assist them with their needs.
So what am I doing now? My main station is the library. The great news is we have a new teacher that has taken interest in the library and agreed to take over my duties once I leave!! The literacy renovation project is off to a slow start but should be picking up next month. The room was taken over by Bats over the Summer and all the books I sorted last year were mixed up so the "keep and give away" piles are one big mess again. The goal is to have the grand opening in February during Literacy Week. I am continuing the Art Classes with grade 3 on Fridays, I LOVE it , it brings out my inner hippie and the kids get a kick out of my stunts. :) I have also started a Life Skills Course with Grade 5 that I conduct once a week. It is off to a great start, the teacher is really supportive and helps make the sessions lively and fun. It is definitely one of the highlights of my service.
Katie and I finished the computer course at the Women's Prison. We are scheduled to kick off our 6 month Women's Empowerment Series this month. Exciting!
Writers Flow is still moving and shaking. We will have one more event before the end of the year. We are looking to start monthly youth poetry workshops in collaboration with a local book store at the start of the new year. I am really looking forward to helping facilitate some of the workshops.
Some projects that I thought would be successful have fizzled out. One thing that I have come to accept is that not all great ideas will come to be when we desire them to be. I am not interested in inserting myself in an agency or organization just because it appears they have a need I can help fill. They have to want the help. I am very selective these days on what I give my time and energy to. It is actually quite a blessing to be able to select what feels right, what is in sync, what brings me joy and move forward with those projects rather than being forced to do something just because it is something else to add to my "to do list" or resume.
I feel pretty solid with whats on my plate for these last 6 months. Yes, all is well.
Thank you to Hands Across the Sea and every single person that donated to the Library project this year. We received about 700 additional books and 10 pencil shapeners to be placed in each class room. I am so thankful and appreciative of all your encouragement and support.
Here are a few pics of the new pics and pencil sharpeners:
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