THE CLASSROOM

            While at the school in Belize, we each spent half of the day in a classroom and half of the day outside doing some kind of work. Alex and I were placed inside Mrs. Vernon’s standard one classroom. The one day the class was told to write sentences using the contractions they had just learned. Alex and I were to go around and help those who were struggling and check anyone who had finished. All the kids would call us from desk to desk asking for help or just wanting to talk. I was helping one girl spell restaurant when Mrs. Vernon called me aside. She told me that I was to help Francis write his sentences. Francis had lost his mother a few weeks ago and was really struggling. She told me I needed to be very patient because when he didn’t understand something he got extremely frustrated.

            I knelt down beside his desk and together we worked through his sentences. By the time the class had completed ten, we were still on his second sentence. The class was then released for recess. All of the Waynesburg students joined the kids to play. That day when I went out, Francis was right by my side the entire time. He was so desperate for love and attention.  Every time someone brought a camera around he wanted a picture together.

            Later Mrs. Vernon shared some other stories with Alex and I of hard times some children were having at home. I have so much respect for this woman and all teachers. She takes care of these children like they are her own. She pays for some of their lunches if they can’t afford it and is there when any of them need to talk. She often has to deal with bad situations all on her own. She told us that she tries not to bother Principal Betson with everything the children trust her with because Principal Betson has to take care of the entire school and the children trust her. This woman was much more than a teacher.