Cha cha cha chia!

After a week of teaching I was ready for the weekend. My first day of teaching I watered this little Chia girl. She had been left in a box from last year's team. She reminds me that as a teacher I have the opportunity to plant seeds and to water plants.

Week 1:  130 students chose English names.
They chose names such as Heroic, Free, Pure and Money. We spent the week helping them adjust to life in college. For many students, college presents more freedom than they've had before. Last Monday, the students were reading every word and syllable chorally as a class when I wrote on the board. Today, one student fell asleep while I was taking attendance (about 1 minute into class!)

Are seeds being watered?

 The above picture is from Friday. I was a little discouraged. Was this going to be the success of my classes? Would only a few students take root and learn? It's fun to walk around campus and recognize faces and hear the "Hello Miss Lora" echos. However, the majority of the freshmen I teach have never spoken English. They've studied the language for years, but have never experienced the spoken language.

I know I've been brought here for a reason. This Chia pet reminds me that plants can take some time to grow. When I meet with students for lunch, my hope is for them to feel loved and cherished. For some students it is a matter of planting seeds. For others I have the joy of watering. And for others we have the pleasure of harvesting.

Here's to the beginning of week two as a teacher and Chia pet owner!