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Community

I love Laura!  It is a really nice community.  As the widest part of the island, it is fairly large and has five different neighborhoods.  The area is quite bucolic and lush.  The Taiwan Farm produces a lot of fresh vegetables (which they give us once in a while).  There are also a lot of small farm plots in people's yards.  The large ball field and dirt track is a gathering spot during the men's and women's softball seasons.  My students live fun, carefree lives in Laura.  After school and on weekends they have free reign to do basically whatever they want.  The people here, and especially my students, are really friendly when I go running or see them around town.  The town has a happy, content feel to it in my opinion.

Living Arrangements

I share an apartment right in the LES school building with Rebecca, who teaches at LHS.  We have a spacious kitchen, bedroom, and two bathrooms.  For the most part, the apartment is on good repair and is quite comfortable.  I enjoy having access to the office, copy machine, etc. at all hours.  The LES campus feels safe and its nice living right out on the Oceanside beach.

Food

Rebecca and I cook for ourselves.  We can get almost anything we want downtown so we can't complain.  We drink ground water because LES doesn't have a catchment.  It tastes nasty even after filtering/boiling.  There are plans to build a catchment so I think rainwater would be an improvement.

I'm really happy in Laura.  It's good all around- location, teaching, living.  I like being away from downtown but its great to be able to visit friends on the weekends and enjoy all the conveniences there.  The teachers and students at my school are great too and have a lot of pride in their community.  Thumbs up for Laura!

Host School

Laura Elementary School (LES) has about 350 students in grades 1-8.  There are 19 teachers total.  Grades 1 and 2 are broken into 2 sections of about 20 students each.  Grades 3-8 each consist of one large class of 35-45 students.  Most of these have two homeroom teachers.  LES has one large building, although there is talk of LES and Laura High School switching campuses next year.

Teaching Resources

LES is fairly well-equipped in terms of resources.  With a few exceptions, most grades have adequate numbers of English books (and other subjects).  There is a school library with a set of encyclopedias and a random assortment of children's/young adult books.  The school also has a nice copy machine in the principal's office and a Duplo machine foe the mass production of worksheets and tests.  Paper, pencils, and pens are also in good supply.  The school also has a nice computer lab with 12 iMacs (used for CARE after school program).

Teaching Responsibilities

I teach four classes every day.  I teach grades 6, 7, and 8 for 45 minutes each.  (7^th and 8^th were combined into 7/8a and 7/8b for half of the year).  I teach grade 3 for an hour each day, although I often extend it for an extra 15 minutes or more (with the encouragement of the homeroom teacher).  I think the schedule should be rearranged next year to allow more time for English.  With such large classes, too much time is devoted to discipline, passing out papers, etc. and 45 minutes isn't enough for upper grades.

After I finish teaching, I work in the office until 4:30 or so getting ready for the next day or correcting papers.  It's also a good time to talk and hang out with the other teachers.  I have not arranged formal tutoring for struggling students because they don't have any "free periods" during the day and it's difficult to get them to stay after school.  A few kids who live near LES come by to get help in the evenings.

Working Relationship with Principal

Stanley Lorennij was the principal for the first half of the year but then left to attend school in Hawaii.  We had a good relationship and he was supportive of my ideas and responsive to my requests for additional materials.  When I suggested the 7^th and 8^th grades be rearranged into two new classes according to English ability, Stanley was behind the idea, as were the 7^th and 8^th grade homeroom teachers, who also rearranged their MLA classes to make it work.  I asked Stanley to find some unused workbooks and he got them immediately for me.  Lanta Elbon took over as principal for the second half of the year.  She is also very helpful and kind to me.

Working Relationship with Colleagues

In the upper grades, I get spotty assistance from the homeroom teachers during ELA class.  Sometimes they sit and read magazines and occasionally yell out "jab keroro" and sometimes they don't come at all.  The dynamics with the 3^rd grade homeroom teacher have worked best.  He actively helps me control the 40+ students and provides valuable translation and discipline help.

 

 

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Community

Rairok is set on Majuro Atoll, in the "suburbs" of Majuro. Rairok is calmer than Rita. The stores and houses are a little more spaced out and there are fewer dog problems. The air is a little cleaner and everything is a little slower. Trash is still a major problem. Rita is crowded and the dogs and guys who gawk are serious hindrances. Theft is a problem in the dorms as well. But everything you need is in a three-mile radius and there are a lot of ribelles (foreigners). Almost everyone speaks English so there really isn't a problem with learning Marshallese. I wouldn't recommend swimming in Rita.

Living Arrangements

I started with a host family in Long Island, which is nice because I became close to the community. However, I ended up moving to the dorms in Rita because there was a loud bar next door to my family's house, but I did stay in close contact with my host family and their influence has been great. In Rita, it is crowded, dirty, and unforgiving. Theft is a problem, but having my quasi host family has given me a positive view of Marshallese people. As for the dorm life, I'm blessed to be living with people I like.

Food

I don't use the bathroom at school. I have to boil all water and bring it with me to school, as well as lunch. But other than that, Majuro doesn't usually have any food or water problems. To save money, I try to eat like a Marshallese person-a lot of rice. A 20 lb. bag lasts me three months and buying food is relatively cheap for me (I am not picky). I stay well within my stipend.

Host School

The teachers are great, very committed to the kids, although there are still the typical absences. If you show an interest in helping them, then they will warm up to you quickly. The school is severely overcrowded and there is a shortage of books and sometimes desks and chairs. The kids come from all over Majuro, from as far away as Rita and Laura. The building is falling apart. There aren't fans in every room (read, it gets hot!). There are 45 kids in each class.

Teaching Resources

One word: lacking. Rairok actually has a fairly decent library and there are some resources-glue, paper, and, on occasion, a copier.  But books, desks, and chairs are in short supply if all the kids show up. Lack of fans in some rooms makes for very hot days.

Teaching Responsibilities

I have four classes-two fourth grade and two fifth grade. The fifth graders are pretty much on the same level, but I have had to separate the fourth graders according to ability, and therefore make separate lesson plans for them. I have three classes in the morning before lunch (which is 90 minutes long) and one after lunch and then a planning period. On Tuesdays I tutor the kids who are behind and on Thursdays I tutor the kids who are ahead. Friday is reading day. During lunchtime I go to see my host family. Again, the classes are large but doable with some planning.

Working Relationship with Principal

Good, although my principal doesn't really give me any constructive advice. He is receptive to ideas though-anything you suggest, he will do. He is absent a lot, however. The vice principal, Dan, does most of the administrative work.

Working Relationship with Colleagues

I've found that they will love you if you are open to them. Most of the other teachers are men, who are slower to open up to female volunteers, but after a few months, if you are friendly and show an active interest in school, you will be golden.

The kids make it so worthwhile. They are hardworking and will do anything to please you.  Keep going, everything will be worthwhile.

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Community

Mejit Island is a single island about four miles round surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches. It is divided by the airport with most of the action happening south of the airport. There are about 400 residents, the school, a medical clinic, council hall, small NTA radio building and three churches. There are a few small “stores” on island to buy simple things like soap, candy, and sugar. The community is very active with baseball, basketball, and volleyball, as well as fishing, boating, and long walks. The community is extremely inviting, caring, and sharing.

Mejit is a single island, not an atoll, and for that reason I find it to be a somewhat different experience from volunteers living on atolls. I think it feels a lot more isolated because there are not more islands and when I look out I only see ocean. On the other hand, being on an island means it is more fertile and there is an abundance of breadfruit, coconuts, and pandanus trees. My experience has been wonderful and Mejit is a warm, friendly, and welcoming island.

Living Arrangements

I have an incredible host family: mother, father and five host brothers who range in age from seven months to 12 years old. They take care of me like I am family. I have my own room in the house where I sleep on a mat on the floor. The housing is simple and cooking is done in a separate cooking house. The outhouse and a room to bucket shower are on the opposite side of the property.

Food

There is plenty of water and many large catchments. Food has been a source of concern because there is not much that grows on the island and a massive dependency on canned food because it is difficult to count on the boat. I always have fish and do not starve, yet malnutrition for some (especially kids) is an issue.

Host School

Mejit Elementary is a nice two-story building with a classroom for each grade and a WorldTeach classroom as well; it’s a very nice school. I teach all students at the school (108). Sometime there have been enough teachers to assign one to each class (8) and sometimes not enough. The Headstart building is right beside the school. It has a generator and television. Mejit Elementary does not.

Teaching Resources

Mejit Elementary has plenty Harcourt books as well as extra workbooks that work with the Harcourt series. We also have a nice size “library” of books collected by myself and the former WT volunteers. The head teacher is also very good at making sure we have enough supplies such as paper, pencils, erasers, etc.

Teaching Responsibilities

I teach all 108 students (classes 1-8). Unfortunately, due to time constraints I see my students less than I’d like for too short of time. I host an after school reading program and am available in my class to tutor after school.

Working Relationship with Head Teacher

Minut Keju, the head teacher, is very kind and soft spoken. He speaks a lot of English, is very thankful to have a WT volunteer and will accept any suggestions or changes you want to make immediately.

Working Relationship with Colleagues

The teachers are hot and cold, in that there are times when they come to my classroom to ask questions and other times when their shyness comes through. My personal relationship with most of the teachers is positive, which has led to a more cohesive atmosphere.

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Community

Toka is about a mile long and a quarter mile wide.  All the houses are on the lagoon side near a path that runs the length of the island.  The ocean side is left to the thick jungle.  My house is near the middle, a two minute walk from the school and church.  Everyone is very nice, caring, but shy.

Living Arrangements

I live with a wonderful family that totally takes care of me.  I am spoiled rotten.  I live in my own plywood, 2-room shack, very nice - but it leaks.  Family (mama, papa, Medine, Glenton, Moses, Crystal, and little Daniel) live in a bigger house.  They cook all my meals and wash my clothes.  Spoiled rotten.

Food

Plenty of food, lots of fish and rice.  The only thing that has made me sick is canned meat.  I pump my own water, but family is also willing to boil it.

Host School

The school is decent sized with about 64 students and 8 teachers.  I teach grades 3-8 English and will help with grade 8 math.  The school has a long main building with 8 rooms and library, as well as a head start building and a nice big basketball court.  We are well equipped with Harcourt and other children's books, many of which are in rough shape.

Teaching Resources

There is a near complete Harcourt reading series, which can be tied to Marshallese life, but at times it is difficult to make it relevant for the kids.  Other books I brought in from home range from beginner readers to chapter books.  There is a 20-year-old encyclopedia and limited Harcourt science books.  There's a nice chalkboard, duplo machine, plenty of flash cards, and BINGO -- they love BINGO!

Teaching Responsibilities

School starts at 8:00am and ends at 2:30pm.  I teach grades 3-8 and have the last period off.  I am going to try to help eighth graders with their math for the last period.

Relationship with Principal

We have a good, friendly relationship.  He is open to recommendations, but does not do much on his own.

Relationship with Colleagues

We are friendly, but don't have much communication.  I plan to try to have more work-related communication in the next half year.

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Community

Population is approximately 400.  I can walk around the island in 30-40 minutes.  Ailuk uses the outrigger canoes on a daily basis for fishing, getting coconut husks for firewood, etc.  there are about 10 large canoes and maybe 20 smaller canoes.  Most people have small stones around their houses, which keeps the mosquitoes from breeding.  There aren't any problems with rats or mice where I live, although you will find rats/ mice in the jungle.  There are 2 churches, and the United church has a mission school.

Living Arrangements

I live with a host family that has 2 daughters (1 in grade 8 this year and 1 in grade 3).  I have my own room which has a large mattress, a small table, small book shelf and wooden dowel for hanging clothes on.  The house is near the lagoon, so you do get a nice breeze.  There are very few mosquitoes near my house.

Food

Water is boiled and I've never been sick from the water.  My host family always makes sure I have enough food to eat, although I did take nutrition biscuits for snacks.

Host School

The school is 4 separate buildings.  3 of the 4 buildings are from the 1950s.  They are cement foundations with wooden windows that open out and tin roofs.  The rooms only have tables or desks for about 8 students.  There are approx. 8-10 students in each grade.  There are 6 teachers plus 1 special education teacher.

Teaching Resources

There are English Harcourt books for most students.  Also, there are the teacher's editions.  But there aren't any other English books (novels) to read.  Easy to read elementary books would be a good idea to start building up a library.

Teaching Responsibilities

I teach grade 2-8 English.  I have combined the mission school and public school grades 7 and 8 for English.  8:15-10:00 grade 8, 10:15-11:15 grade 7; 11:15-12 grade 6; 1:00-1:45 grade 4/5 alternate days; 1:45-2:30 grade 2/3 alternate days

Relationship with Principal

I have a good relationship with the principal (who teaches gr 8), but I don't work closely with him.  I might talk to him once a week.

Relationship with Colleagues

Good.  I got to each classroom to teach English.

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