I Am Teacher – Hear Me Roar.

I have made it a constant mental note, embedded in my head. ‘You may be ‘petite’, but you are not small!’ I must be assertive. I was wearing a black and white floral stripped skirt with a black shirt and my flat shoes. I walked through the doors my head held up high. No one could tell my nerves were in shambles, at least I hoped. My first introduction was warm and loving. I followed the Program Coordinator through an outdoor walkway leading me to a classroom with windows. The curtains were being pulled in every which direction as students fought over to get a glimpse of their new teacher from Canada. The door slowly opened and in I walked. There I stood, amongst thirty-one nine year olds waiting to hear my every word, waiting to hear me speak. “Hello everyone,” I said. “Hello Meesees Perri!” the students replied. Then, like a rush of water, arms started flinging in the air, WHAT DO I DO??!?! DO I DUCK!?! Were they about to throw paper airplanes at me?! Or tomatoes?! Or tacos?! Soon after I realized they were putting their hands up to ask me questions! They wanted to know everything about me! Where am I from? How many languages do I speak? Do I speak Spanish? How old am I? Then, THE question came. A dreadful moment when I had to take a minute to think of an appropriate answer….. “Why are you so small?” WHAT? I did not just get asked that by a measly nine year old!! “Ok, think Maryann. What will be my answer?” I thought. I stopped. I stuttered. I couldn’t think?! Sweat dripped down my forehead. Could the students tell I was lost for words? My answer was – “I am small because…..” AY CRAP! I don’t remember what I said. From this day forward I have blocked that memory down with my sister’s traumatic tonsillectomy and her scar face incident. The rest is all a blur. Soon after, the bell rang and the students got up to leave. Before I knew it, a few of the little girls were lined up to give me a kiss on the cheek and a warm welcoming hug. The Program Coordinator then looked at me and said “They like you, get used to the hugs & kisses.” WOW – THEY LIKE ME?? Could it be because we have something in common – like our size? Or do they think I am totally cool? I hope it’s the latter. This is fantastic!! My first day of observing the class was last Monday. My anxiety quickly faded by recess. The kids are a breath of fresh air. The commencement of the day included three-hundred students standing in an outdoor area singing the Mexican national anthem. Each and every student proudly stood there with arms lifted to their chests, their hands on their hearts. Yep, that was a strange moment for me. Should I have done the same? Was I disrespectful for not having done the same? I don’t know. All I can say is I was grateful when it ended because the awkward moment was over. Or so I thought. Much to my surprise, I suddenly heard my name over the microphone as the English Program Coordinator called me to the front to ‘introduce the new teacher from Canada’. I felt my face turn red. Was this really happening? I stood there. Dumb founded. I was being scrutinized like a new exhibit at the zoo. A rare bread, the only 'non-Mexican' person in the school. Yep, not everyone has seen one of me. There I stood for observation…and soon, the humility was over. The rest of the day was spent in a classroom with grade 4 students. I watched the teacher give lessons in grammar, spelling and science. I watched some kids misbehave. I also watched them participate in their daily reading comprehension. It was an amazing day. I am slowly immersing into a culture that has been nothing but warm and welcoming. This past week, I have been teaching classes by myself. The kids apparently adore me, or so I was told at my first parent teacher meeting. Wow! Now, when class is over and my students prepare to leave, I have a long lineup of 9 year olds (including the boys) waiting to give me a kiss & hug good-bye. It's an amazing feeling. I am 'Meesees Perri', their favourite teacher from Canada!