I've gone back to teaching.

Well, today won't be any pictures. I'm going to talk about me. I've decided to go back into my chosen field of careers; Teaching! I'm putting my Restaurant Career on hold for a while. My partner seems to have things under control for now. I went to school to be a teacher in New York because I wanted to make a positive difference in children's lives. I taught Economics and Government as well as Elementary School during the course of a 12 year Teaching Career. (a head on collsion in Nov. 1997 ended my career in NY, but, that's another story). After living in St.Maarten for almost 10 years now, the stories in the paper about the island's youth seems to be getting progressively more depressing. There are more stories in the papers about children joining gangs, which was unheard of 10 years ago. Stories about poor test scores and children who can't read or write. My question to myself is: "What happens to these children when they reach the age of getting out of school with no reading abilities, writing skills and lack of job skills to survive on this small island ?" So, this year after reading so many Help Wanted Notices in the Daily Herald about needing teachers; I decided to apply. Being a foreign born person legally residing in St. Maarten, I actually wasn't sure if I would get the job. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Social Sciences as well as 1 Master's Degree in Special Education and a Master's of Education in Education Administration which allows me to be an Administrator in the schools. I went for the job interview to meet with Ms. Bryson-Pantophlet who is Head of Education as well as the building Administrator of the Vocational Training School, Mr. Richards. (Yes, this is the Lietenant Governor's Brother) Both very impressive and professional. I left after 1 hour and 30 minutes of talking and discussing my credentials as well as what the schools of St. Maarten need. I felt positive, but still not sure. That night while working at the restaurant , I received a call from Ms. Bryson's secretary inviting me to the end of the year breakfast for teachers at the Port de Plaissance Resort because they wanted to introduce me to the teachers. Well, I was hired! It was official; I was going to continue my life as a teacher in St. Maarten helping children.
Well, after almost a month in the classroom, I find myself enjoying the moment and the kids. I made the right choice once again. The kids are older, challenging, can be provocative, looking for a reaction and mostly, they are confused as to why a white, foreign man wants to take time out of his "posh life", (totally misunderstood), to teach them. My response to those concerns for them is this: "I went to school to make a difference in children's lives. We have something to learn from each other's culture's and experiences. And, most important, get use to my face because I'm not going anywhere!" I'm making an improvement already in my opinion. I'm teaching English and Social Studies.
My problem is that these kids at the St. Maarten Vocational Training School are lacking so much material: textbooks, dvd players to watch educational movies, supplies, right down to educational resource material. Their computers are basically outdated!
These kids have such a low self esteem about themselves that they've given up on themselves knowing that this school is their last resort and they don't even have textooks to read. I'm doing my best to help them, but, Why don't they have the proper materials for learning? The government is saying they don't want violence in the schools, but, where is the concern for these kids if they already know they've been left out and behind? These kids are frustrated and yes, angry because they are "burdens" to the government for being there....So, their only means of saying "Look, we're here, why don't you help us properly", is to act out, steal and hurt each other." Gangs are so common for these kids that it's the only way they feel they belong. Families are struggling to survive financially, they don't have time for the kids.
I guess I vented enough. I will continue to teach these kids and do things with them one Saturday each month outside of school such as: horseback riding, BBQ's on the beach, hopefully kayakking with a company who will donate the time and kayaks, hiking in Lottery Farm etc. because these kids don't know their own island. Through these things and activities and the signs of care and concerns from the "white, foreign man that they are so confused about who has already proven he cares about them," I Want and Will make a difference in their lives and their educational years. I'm proud to have made this descision once again; to be a teacher!