First year teaching in Armenia
I've lived in Armenia for over a year now and finished up my first year of teaching at one of the basic schools in Vanadzor. It was a year full of learning experiences (for the students and me) and fun. As I get ready to go into my second year of co-teaching I wanted to reflect on the last year and share some of those experiences with y'all.
In Armenia, they have a special first day of school (before lessons start) called "First Bell". It's a day when the students will come to school for a few hours to get their schedules, see their new classrooms, and put on some beautiful performances. It amazes me the work that goes into these performances and the kids that come during their summer break to practice and be ready for it. I don't know if I would have had the dedication for it as a student, but I appreciate my students' willingness to do it.
Likewise, at the end of the school year, they have a special last day (with no lessons) called "Last Bell". It's a day for the graduating students to perform special dances, songs, and recitings (of what they learned and to give thanks). It's absolutely beautiful and all the students participate dressed specially for the occasion. They also give the teachers a gorgeous bouquet; I was surprised and grateful to have been included in this.
One of the things I've learned as a teacher here in Armenia is that you need to be ready to adjust your schedule in an instant. I'm pretty lucky with my school in how my schedule for the most part was consistent and I knew what my classes would be on a semester basis. However, there were definitely days when I would show up prepared for a lesson and be told that we were actually going to be teaching a different class that day.
These schedule changes could happen for various reasons: 1.) A teacher is out which affects the other schedules (one thing I should mention is that here the students stay in their homeroom class all day while the teachers rotate based on the subject). 2.) Not enough students were present so they canceled the classes. 3.) A surprise drill, sports tournament, etc...Lots of things can affect the schedule.
There was this one time, I remember when I got to school ready to teach a class, and when I entered the room there was an aide and my co-teacher wasn't present yet. This isn't abnormal so I started the lesson like normal. At some point during the lesson, the aid left, and my co-teacher never showed...again this isn't abnormal; I've taught several lessons by myself but usually my co-teacher gives me a heads up to let me know.
After the lesson, we had a free block scheduled so I went to the teacher's lounge to work a little. Eventually, my co-teacher found me and told me that we needed to go to the class that I had just taught. The schedule had changed and no one had told me (not even the aid that had been sitting in). We had a pretty good laugh when I told her what happened and she sorted it out so that an aide could sit in the class so we didn't double-teach them.
Another instance could be filling in randomly for the other English teacher's classes when needed. If I'm being honest it was a little intimidating...These are students that I didn't normally work with and I didn't know what they were learning from their textbooks, but luckily I was able to jump in and 'wing it' with a lesson. If anything, teaching here has taught me to be flexible, adaptable, and how to think on my feet. It's also taught me to think ahead and always have backup plans ready.
In Peace Corps, it's expected that we will teach normal hours in our schools with our co-teachers, but we are also expected to host after-school English clubs and some sort of community involvement activities. It can definitely be a lot of work sometimes and seem a little overwhelming, especially when you have so many people come up to you asking you to host all sorts of different events or volunteer at different places. I can't tell you how many people I meet on a weekly basis who find out I'm an English teacher and ask me to teach them or someone they know. If I'm being honest it can be a little discouraging sometimes because you think you're making friends, but then you realize they just want something from you. It's also difficult because sometimes you really do want to help but Peace Corps has a policy that we aren't allowed to do individual lessons or accept payment for our services.
However, I do enjoy volunteering and teaching, so I am happy to extend a hand when I can by doing presentations or events at different organizations. But what I've learned is that you cannot say yes to everything and it's important to set boundaries early on for what you can and cannot do.
I've loved getting to know and work with my co-teacher this year, Nara Aghabalyan. She has been a teacher for over 20 years and has a lot of experience. I'm sure having a young American with little teaching experience wasn't a fun idea to her in the beginning, but I'm grateful for how she welcomed me and got me teaching right away. It's been a privilege to learn from her and get to know her on a personal level. Turns out we have quite a few things in common.
I've loved getting to know my fellow teachers this year. I am a little on the introverted side preferring to observe rather than speak...plus I'm still working on the Armenian language (so I am not always able to participate fully)... but I am grateful for how well they have accepted and encouraged me. I love speaking with Anahit (the security lady) briefly each morning and the big smile she gives me. I love how while I wait in the teachers' lounge the other teachers will ask how I am doing and about my interests. I appreciate how the male history teacher has more confidence in my Armenian than I do... and tries to pull me into conversations about the history or politics of Armenia and the US.
Not every day as a teacher is a win, but my students make me feel like a winner. I've loved working with my students in the classroom and after-school clubs. It's been fun to see their excitement about learning English grow! Even the students who honestly don't care about English and are just there because they have to be, find ways to make me laugh and enjoy knowing them.
Some highlights with my students this year in no particular order:
Going fishing with Samvel and Hermine at the lakes. Girls here don't go fishing, so it was fun to see Samvel's excitement when I showed an interest and actually went.
Being invited to go to the park for ice cream with my students after club. We just walked and talked but it was really nice.
Introducing games in the classroom. My kids LOVE Kahoot so it's one they ask for on a regular basis. It's fun for me to watch them play because they are SO competitive, but then they go and share all the answers with each other.
Singing with my 3rd graders. The little kids love to learn by singing songs and get so excited about it! I enjoy singing and don't have to feel intimidated when singing with little kids so it's a win-win for all of us. Plus how can my heart not melt when they sing and dance?
Being surprised on my birthday when my kids sang for me and gave me a beautiful angel and flowers as a present.
When my students tell me they missed me while I was absent due to training or sickness.
When my students give me hugs, write me notes or draw me little pictures. I love all of it! I've saved all the notes in a special place and have hung several of the drawings in my apartment.
Taking a note from my students that was being passed around and reading the most adorable message I've ever read. I'll give you the clip notes version, but essentially the two girls were discussing why one of them wasn't being active in class that day when she is really smart and knows the material. I just thought it was the sweetest note and was so encouraging! Plus I loved that I learned one of my new favorite Armenian phrases from it, which basically translates to "girl, you're crazy!" (with the needed intonation)
Preparing and hosting the Vanadzor spelling bee. The students loved it and the whole community was involved.
Meeting and working with our refugee students that came from Artsakh. One day I walked into the 9th form class and the boys were having an arm wrestling match with the new boy. I asked what they were doing and with smiles on their faces they said "He is from Artsakh. He is strong." The love that they were showing the young man brought tears to my eyes.
Some things I'm still getting used to as a teacher here in Armenia that make me smile:
Students and teachers staring at my feet when I wear my Chaco sandals to school. I promise I'm not cold and they are very comfortable!
Wearing make-up every day...Still not a huge fan of wearing make-up all the time, but am getting better about at least doing a little and sometimes I'll do my whole face.
Learning that as an American I'm pretty lazy in the way that I dress...maybe not lazy, just comfortable...and again maybe not an American thing, but more of a my style kind of thing.
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