A Class with Class

Monday morning, August 31, 2009 twelve timid quiet fourth graders walked into my classroom. The class has six girls and six boys, five Kenyans, two Koreans, one Korean and Tanzanian, one Canadian, and three Americans. English is a second language for eight of the students and for several that is British English. Truly a class with class!

Half of the class are boarding students and half are "station kids." That's what they call the local students who either live on campus or near campus with their parents. The boarding students live in a dorm with just ten students in it and as much like a home atmosphere as possible.

They've taught me a lot this week. Most of them know the ways of the school better than I do. They've been a big help as I've learned how to operate. They are helping me learn a few Swahili greetings so I can greet Africans appropriately. It's amazing how many Africans in the area know English but they love it when we greet them in their language.

I think I've taught my students a few things this week. We read a story that took place in the thirties so I shared with them about my rationing book when I was a small child. They quickly reminded me that sugar is rationed here and gas may be if what we hear is true.

As the week progressed, the timid quiet class became alive and enthusiastic. I'm looking forward to spending the next ten months with them.

Our week ended with a short walk down the hill to the high school campus for the lowering of the flag as the Kenyan national anthem was played. The whole student body took part in a short chapel service around the flag pole. My students behaved beautifully and proved that they are indeed a class with class.