Traveling. Teaching. Learning.

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 3:4...

I cannot believe that I will be leaving for Quito, Ecuador in just two short days! I am so excited to see the opportunities I will have while being in Ecuador. I am placed in a first-grade core class at Colegio Menor. This is a private school located in Quito. I look forward to meeting and working with all teachers and first grade students! Throughout this experience I look forward to growing as an individual and developing as a teacher. Although English is spoken in Quito, Spanish is the main language. I do understand some Spanish, but I am not fluent speaking therefore I am nervous for the language barrier that I might encounter. This experience in return will provided me with what ESL students face when entering classrooms across America. I will be able to take this experience and design my classroom and make sure these students feel welcomed.  I am excited for this upcoming experience and look forward to keeping everyone updat...