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Week 1 in Cumbaya!


I have almost successfully survived my first week in Ecuador! I arrived late on Saturday night and spent Sunday exploring around Quito and Cumbaya with my host family. My host home is actually located in Cumbaya, so that is where I spend most of my time! She speaks very little English, so I have relied heavily on a translating app to communicate with her. I am still getting used to the food, but I have been trying new foods when possible! I ride a bus each morning to school with my roommate who is from Massachusetts also here student teaching. A bus is provided for teachers that need transportation, so the bus is filled with other teachers and student teachers. 

 I am completing student teaching in a first-grade classroom at Colegio Menor, which is a private school located near the center of Cumbaya. Students are bilingual speaking both Spanish and English, but they speak only English while in my class. The school days begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:45pm for students and 3:45 for teachers/staff. The environment is very welcoming and my students were excited to have me in their classroom! So far I have been helping wherever needed and assisting students when needed. The classroom looks similar to classrooms in the states, but it is much smaller.  There are many breaks throughout the day and teachers are provided with long periods of time where they do no have students. My class has a total of 22 students and one head teacher and one teacher assistant. I look forward to seeing students grow as learners while I am in their classroom! 
Class Schedule 
First-Grade Classroom 
High Frequency Word Wall
Front of First-Grade Classroom 

 Since I have only been in Ecuador for a short period of time I have not traveled far. After school the other WKU student teachers and myself walked to Parque de Cumbaya, which is the center of Cumbaya. We grabbed pizza and milkshakes and explored around the area. Hopefully we are able to make other weekend trips soon that are further outside of Cumbaya and Quito! 
  
Parque de Cumbaya

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