Cuernavaca: Days 14, 15, 16

 I have not written for awhile. Been very busy! *I am providing links for further description for some of the places as it is truly too much for words.

Sunday we went to Cuicuilco and Teotihuacan and drove through Mexico City on the way back. It was a very long, very amazing day. I don't have adequate words - in any language - to describe the  experience. It was majestic and ancient and beautiful and peaceful and breathtaking. My soul was calmed as I thought of those who created this place and their connection to nature and science and their gods and their greater influence on the world. I was in awe!! 

On a personal note, I have a fear of heights and the stairs to the top of all the pyramids were very high, very steep with no handrails. But I made myself climb to the top. And then I was stuck. At the top. And my only options were to live up there or climb down. And as I am writing this on a computer with wifi it is obvious I made it down. 

 

On the way back to Cuernavaca we drove through Mexico City. Loved it. The Pride parade happened the day before and there were remnants of the festivities all over the city. We are heading back to Mexico City this weekend so I will write more about it then. 

Monday we had an art class after school. It was taught by a local artisan who makes flowers and small animals out of palm leaves. I tried numerous times. He showed me more than multiple times. But I could not make the loop with the correct twist to be able to do the weaving. He completed the work for me. I am not saying this to be self deprecating, rather to revisit the idea of "unskilled labor." I am an "educated" women but I could not grasp how to properly manipulate my hands to create the pieces of art which I saw him making effortlessly as he walked down the street. There are so many skill sets different people have, but some are more valued than others - in every sense. In terms of pay, class, and respect. That is unfortunately a universal truth that continues to disturb me. 

Then we had a late dinner with Carmen's family. It was at an Italian restaurant called Marco Polo and the food and conversation were perfect. I cannot say enough about the kindness all people have shown me on this trip, but especially Carmen and her family. They are just good people in every sense of the word. Even though Carmen is close in age to my mother, I am able to hear her in a different way because she is not my mom. In tandem with Spanish, I am learning about life and the kind of person I aspire to be from her. My mom's messages might be the same, but even though I have to translate what Carmen is saying I can accept it. I think simply because she is not my mom...

Tuesday we went to two schools - which are located in the same town but could not be more different. The first is a bilingual school with Spanish and Nahuatl. The students were lovely. We heard them sing a song in Nahuatl which the school is trying to preserve. The physical accommodations of the school were limited, but the evident care and guidance from the teachers were abundant. The kids were proud to share their language and academic skills. The school was created in close proximity to where the students live so they can attend school. The parents are artisans who sell their crafts in downtown Cuernavaca. A few families graciously opened their homes to us. And to share the educational and artisan accomplishments of their children.

The second school was Marymount which is a private school - the first private school I visited here in Mexico. I have been on private school campuses in the USA and other countries - both high school and university - and this campus was pristine. All the facilities were top notch from the library to the technology in all classrooms to the dining room and food itself. It was overwhelmingly magnificent. I have been told, by many, that Mexico itself is a country of contrast. And while as an outsider I can respect that, I question that same issue in the USA. 

I can and do question the funding and equity of the school system - the PUBLIC school system - in the USA. Because I live on the west side of Austin (Austin the is the dividing street between the west side of Chicago and Oak Park) my children were able to attend Oak Park schools. Which has a higher tax base so the schools are well funded. 

Do I want the best education possible for my own kids? Of course! 

Do I want the best education possible for someone else's kids? Of course! And if that means another family gets free preschool or free breakfast or free childcare because they need it and my kids did not am I willing to pay for it? Of course!

The quality and access to education should not be determined by parents' income, educational level, culture, immigration status, linguistic background. I will only speak for the USA in this sense, but the current public school educational system is not equal and it is not working to best serve all children. And I do not just believe Mexico is a country of contrasts, I believe the world is that way. Not in terms of diversity, but in terms of opportunity in general...

Cuernavaca: Days 12 and 13

 Hola! Hola! Hola!

The past 2 days have been relaxing and fun. We learned about papel amate yesterday after classes and were able to decorate our own creations. I do not see myself as an artist, but I enjoyed painting with vibrant colors on the beautiful design drawn by an artist. After school I relaxed and watched Coco. En espanol. Con mi familia mexicana. I have never seen the movie before, but I understood most of it with the subtitles in Spanish as well so I could listen and read while watching. Loved it!

Today I did homework and studied a few hours after sleeping in. Then we went headed to a grocery store and on the way I asked to stop at Starbucks! and we did! and I got a refresher! and it was a lot cheaper than in the States! The grocery store is City Market and it is a cross between Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and Wegman's and I loved it. My housemate, Ellyanna, and I were enthralled as Carmen took us around the store. There was so much of everything and there were samples!

We both bought so many different types of foods to try. Ellyanna bought conchas - they were delicious - like a cloud of goodness in my mouth!! I bought huge shrimp which Carmen is going to cook for us. I want to cook for Carmen so I bought the ingredients to make banana nut bread which is not common here. 

After shopping was of course more food - comida! Vegetable soup, fish with potatoes, nopales, salad. Adriana, Carmen's daughter, visited and I have grown to enjoy talking with her. She is a ray of light and positivity just like her mom! And living with Ellyanna and Carmen is such an enlightening experience as well. I feel so lucky to be here. In this place. At this time in my life. With all of these specific people. What a delight.

Cuernavaca: Days 10 and 11

So yesterday started out ROUGH!! I hit a wall with Spanish, it was hot, I was tired and crabby. But it ended well. Carmen's daughter came over to eat with us - she is lovely just like her mom. After dinner otros estudiantes went to into Cuernavaca for a walking tour, but because I was hot and tired I didn't go. Instead we played card games and talked and laughed and ate. It was so nice just to be...

After a good night's sleep and getting my mind in the right perspective, today was a much better day! The afternoon excursion for teachers was to visit Fundacion Don Bosco, a local school that in my understanding is neither public or private. The location we visited had a primary, middle, and high school campus. 

We started our visit with middle schoolers and middle schoolers are middle schoolers regardless of language, culture, location, etc. Not a bad thing, just a fact. Like my other visits to Mexican schools, the staff and students were so kind. We spoke to the principal of the middle school briefly and his philosophy of kindness and inclusiveness of all was inspiring. He was young and full of energy and it was evident he adored the students. 

The staff member giving the tour was remarkable as well, and interacted with various students throughout the building. She knew them all and proudly shared their accomplishments. All the students spoke of their personal goals and the staff about the goals of the overall school. One student, 17, was going to graduate soon and shared that he works and goes to school. He works at a taqueria and is planning on working full time for a year to save for university. He wants to be a vet. I hope he, along with all the students, achieve their goals!

After school we went to Carmen's daughter's house to eat. Que rica. Carrot soup, meat, mashed potatoes, salad! While the food was amazing, time with them all was better. I am getting to know my housemate better - a young woman the same age as my daughter - who is allowing me to see that my own children are young adults. Having this time with people of various ages from different places and backgrounds is special. Not because I don't have this opportunity at home, but I am realizing I don't see it when it presents itself. This experience is allowing personal growth and self understanding that can only come from taking a risk and making myself vulnerable. 

So after a swim and homework, I had a great day today. Who knows what will happen tomorrow but today was good and that's all I really need right now. Buenas noches.

Cuernavaca: Day 9

What an amazing day. With the other teachers here at ASLI, I went to a CONAFE school in a neighboring town. School is still in session and I got to meet and talk with the kids a bit. There were three teachers there - all incredibly talented and generous with their time. One classroom has four to seven year olds and the other classroom had eight to twelve year olds. It was truly the highlight of my time here thus far. And while I love all kids, I am reminded that I adore working with the little ones. 

Students were making paper puppets from the story of the city mouse and the country mouse. I told students I need to practice the Spanish vowel sounds - which I do - so some helped me. I still need help with a, e, i in Spanish - that will be a big win for me when I master them! I got to look into their notebooks while they explained what they had learned about. A six year old told me about the five senses and explained to me the different places you taste different flavors on the tongue. His math skills were amazing.He was outgoing and fun and asked me why I have blue eyes (they are actually green). I said I don't know and asked him why he has brown eyes? This question is often asked in the USA as well because the majority of my students have dark eyes, and so do their families. In the older room snack was started and I was offered blue Takis and gum. Students asked me where I was from and asked me about YouTubers and singers. 

Snack was actually the beginning of lunch and the generosity and kindness I see from my parents at school was matched by these parents. They brought lunch and frozen homemade desserts for everyone. The school teachers moved tables and chairs so we could all sit together. I asked one of the teachers if parents bringing lunch was common and they said yes, but it was more extravagant than usual because of our presence. 

After lunch was the best part of the day. A little girl, who was initially shy, saw my watch and was fascinated. She started to play with and of course she knew more about technology than I do. More students came over to play with the watch. The older ones wanted to listen to music and look at the apps like their parents had - the exercise tracker and calendar. One boy was trying to use the camera app on my phone to take pictures. The selfie with them was the result of my explanation and a picture I love! It is a true encapsulation of how I felt today! I forever will look at this picture with a smile on my face and light in my heart!

I am so very grateful for Fund For Teachers affording me this amazing opportunity and ASLI for providing the structure. I am not only improving my Spanish, but my life and the lives of my students. While I am not blind and acknowledge that we are all different and have various life experiences and opportunities because of the various privileges some of us are born with, there is a sameness in children and education that brings me joy and peace and hope. The painted steps remind me of the steps at Holmes School with words of encouragement and hope. 

The list of magic words of being kind and inclusive and respectful remind me of the Second Step Lessons we do every week. The teachers doing the best they can. Each day for the students they care about so deeply. The parents sharing their time and love and support to their children, teachers, and perfect strangers because they want the best for their children. And mostly the students who want to learn and play and love and grow and know that the world is a safe place for everyone and that even if someone has different color eyes and speaks with a strange accent (meaning me) that most of us want the same thing. The best for everyone, especially the kids...

Cuernavaca: Days 7 and 8

Yesterday was Feliz dia del Padre and we went to Carmen's son's house for the afternoon. His wife, daughters, and Carmen's daughter were all there. Along with their dog, Rocky. They were so kind and gracious and more delicious food. Cheese, meats, guacamole, chicharrones, garlic rolls, pasta, and so many kinds of grilled meats along with 2 kinds of dessert. After we got home another student from the USA came to Carmen's house. She is from San Diego and literally the same age as my daughter. Very nice and I know a little more Spanish than she does she I am able to translate for Carmen. How odd that I am the able to help another person in Spanish?!?!

I have been practicing my vowel sounds, los vocales, and I am using the same videos I use with my Newcomer students except in Spanish. Literally, this is what I am doing with my time.

My brain is still constantly churning, but today is the first day I felt just whelmed, not overwhelmed, just whelmed. Feeling a bit more settled... Today there was conference from a woman who taught for 43 years about CONAFE (National Council for the Promotion of Education). Many people in rural and Indigenous communities have not been afforded the same public services as others, including education. She spoke of the program which attempts to offer students education according to their needs. She also shared some of the books used - one of which is a picture book without words. I often use books without words for my students at various stages of language development. I am starting to make some educational connections even with the conference being entirely in Spanish.

After school we had lunch - chile rellenos - of course amazing!! I went for a swim in the pool and did my homework. I am the best kind of exhausted - physically and mentally. That's all I've got today!

Cuernavaca: Days 5 and 6

Yesterday was a quiet day. The big news from yesterday - I went to the supermarket all by myself with no problems. I was tired after school so I went for a swim and took a nap. Rough life!

Today was busy and hot! We went to Tazco: Taxco is a town in the state of Guerrero, southwest of Mexico City, famed for its silver jewelry production and Spanish colonial architecture. It was beautiful. We went on a funicular above the area and the view was amazing. Walked and walked and walked. Saw more silver jewelry than I ever knew existed! Went to lunch and I had mole rosado which is rare, even for Mexicans. It had almonds, nuts, roses, and white chocolate in it and was not too spicy - perfect for me! I bought some silver jewelry. 

The highlight of the day was Santa Prisca Church built in the mid 1700's in the Baroque style. It was breathtaking and reminded me of the churches in Europe. There is a statue of the Virgin Mary made of silver. 

As we were leaving, there was a quinceañera with a mariachi band, stunning dresses, and chambelanes. Wow!! Breathtaking! 

Cuernavaca: Days 3 and 4

I did not write yesterday. I was too tired. And it is really hot here. Like record breaking heat. Cuernavaca is known as la primavera eterna, place of eternal spring because of the year round moderate temperatures. That is not the case - it has been at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit every day since I have been here which means lots of water and sunblock!

I am getting a bit more comfortable - I even walked home by myself today after school. But it is still perpetual newness and my brain always feels like it is working at full capacity.

The small things are so interesting to me. Yesterday we went to a market to eat and there were bowls upon bowls with at least a dozen different types of salsas. I was surprised to see all the salsas but to the Mexican people I was with it was nothing special. Today my teacher and I were working on vocabulary and somehow camping and outdoor fires came up. So I of course mentioned s'mores. She had no idea what I was talking about and after I explained them she was excited. She wants to try s'mores. And I want to eat every type of salsa that exists in this country. 

Yesterday was an excursion to Tepoztlán: It’s known as the reputed birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god, and for its weekly craft market. A steep trail leads to the Aztec Tepozteco pyramid, on a clifftop above the town.

I did not make it to the top of the pyramid because of the heat but it was still a trek. So beautiful with so much history. There was also an outdoor market and stores with local artisans. Handmade objects made by the local people.

Today we went to the Museo Regional de los Pueblos de Morelos in Cuernavaca: The Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca, Mexico, built between 1523 and 1528, is the oldest conserved colonial-era civil structure in the continental Americas. There is a giant mural painted by Diego Rivera, famous Mexican painter and the husband of Frida Kahlo, at the museum. The mural is a linear portrayal of Mexico's history, focusing on the city of Cuernavaca, painted in a chronological sequence. The mural depicts the invasion of the Spanish and the colonization of the Indigenous peoples. The mural is spectacular. For so many reasons. It is vivid and colorful and beautiful and sad and tragic and true...

I am signing off for the night. I am going to indulge myself in some Netflix in English and a shower before bed. We can do hard things. This experience is amazing, but hard!

Cuernavaca: Day 2

This might be short and sweet as I am mentally exhausted. 

As I was texting a friend yesterday she reminded me I have good old culture shock - something I haven't had for awhile. 

Another good day. With excellent food and kind people and so much Spanish. I am struggling with the Spanish vowels and they are winning! Along with different verb tenses.

I went to a school that works only with students with Down's Syndrome. According to what I understood, this is the first school of its kind in all of Mexico. The woman who started it is a powerhouse - a force of nature. It was interesting and the students ranged from itty bitties to adults older than I am. I might return before I leave to watch some of their classes and interact with the students more.

My Mexican mama, Carmen, took me to her daughter's house for lunch and a swim. GLORIOUS as it was over 90 degrees here with strong sun. 

Lots of water and and a popsicle before I relax for the night, but first homework. I haven't done traditional homework for over a decade and I am not sure how I feel about being in the student role again...

Cuernavaca: Day 1

I have been in Cuernavaca for over 24 hours and my head is spinning. I am feeling overwhelmed. But in way that makes me want to lean in and learn. This is hard, but everyone is so very kind. 

I had class this morning for 3 hours - I am the only student in the middle level group right now so lots of learning. Then another educator and I attended a session about private and public education in Mexico. From PreKinder through Higher Ed. Very informative, but all in Spanish so my brain was working overtime...

The woman I am staying with is truly lovely in every sense of the word. She is a phenomenal cook and taught me how to make a basic salsa. I am eating like a queen - started the day with huevos rancheros, tortilla, pineapple and lunch was tacos, guacamole, pureed vegetable soup, and broccoli. Warning* This may turn into a food blog as I love to eat and the food here is so delicious.

The opportunity being an FFT Fellow has afforded me is a gift, but it is a lot. Which reminds in a real way how amazing my students are. It has been more than 20 years since I have had this type of immersion experience with very real culture shock. And I am an adult. Who chose to do this. With no trauma involved. And I am reeling. Not only am I improving my Spanish skills to better serve my students, but my empathy and understanding of their little lives when they first arrive in the USA. This is definitely a one day at a day moment in life...

The photos are a physical representation of the change I am feeling. When I left Chicago it was rainy and cold and dreary from my airplane seat. But we were on the ground and it was familiar and safe. Cuernavaca is beautiful and bright and sunny but it's new and I'm still in the clouds.

Last Day of School

It is the last day of school for the 2022-2023 school year and my room is empty. Chairs are stacked. Anchor charts and student work is off the walls. And I feel like the room looks. A little empty, a little sad, but ready for the possibility of a new journey. 

I applied for and received a grant through Fund for Teachers to go to Mexico for a month, live with a host family and attend daily classes. There are also cultural and educational opportunities. I can't believe I am a Fund for Teachers Fellow!

I leave for my learning adventure in Cuernavaca early Sunday morning. It is an amazing opportunity to study and live and learn and immerse myself for a month in Mexico. But it is scary! I have not had this kind of immersion adventure since I was in my early 20's, before I had kids. So my affective filter is high. Allowing this level of vulnerability is not something I enjoy. 

New city, different food, outside of my cultural comfort zone with emerging language skills is really frightening. I work with amazing students and families everyday who come to the USA, often not by choice, and they face this reality. I hope I have the bravery and grace they do when I embark on my journey in 2 days...

This is the first time since I had my own children that I am leaving them for this length of time. Yes, they have both been away at college for months on end. But this feels different. I am choosing to leave them to have my own adventure.

All these feelings and hopes and insecurities are swirling, in addition to saying goodbye to some of my students who are not returning to my school next year. The emptiness of my room coupled with the the loss of these students, many I have been teaching multiple years, makes my heart sad. But I am better for having been their teacher and my hope is that in some small way they are better for me being in their lives. So with that hope I sign off and start to look forward to my time in Cuernavaca.