Protests and Pop Quizzes

School began August 7th, and has gotten off to an encouraging start filled with lots of good teaching moments and bonding experiences. Mr. Kreiss can be a little scary at first, but for good reason, and with a purpose of setting a high academic tone early in the year. My students at Highlands quickly realized this after we hit the ground running and I introduced them to accountability quizzes and group discussions. I have been pleasantly surprised to see many of the students rise to the challenge, and even more pleased with their willingness to engage in class. Each day I feel I am able to really push my students to think and develop critical thinking skills because they first and foremost want to learn.

Highlands in the morning

It's an encouraging environment, and it only energizes me more as I get up to go to school each morning. I am so thankful for this feeling of excitement in which I wake up every morning and look forward to going to work. Outside of academics, I have connected early with those students that have appreciated my honesty and authenticity about being here to serve them academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. On several occasions I have had students seek me out to talk, play board games, eat lunch, and play basketball with them. The year has started off well, and I am eager to invest every day into each opportunity that the Lord puts before me. Please be in prayer for me to always carry this perspective and for the Lord to provide more opportunities to build relationships.

For the first time in my professional career, I only have to teach four classes out of a seven period day. I find the lighter workload to be incredibly helpful and liberating, as it allows me to walk into each class feeling confident and prepared to do my best. I am incredibly thankful for this, as well as the opportunity that it gives me to invest more of my time into the students. For example, I have settled into a routine of eating my lunch outside during the end of 4th period in order to free myself up during lunch/recess and be more available to the students during that time. I originally had 7th period free as well, but when approached with the opportunity, I have chosen to proctor two seniors in their online US history class, which in turn has allowed me to really invest in them, and guide them through what might have been a very bland online experience. Overall I find myself incredibly thankful for how my schedule has turned out, and I spend each day trying to maximize each opportunity.

My schedule is as follows:

1st period - Comparative Politics to 19 seniors, also my homeroom class.

2nd period - World Geography to 18 freshman

3rd period - Prep period

4th period - Prep period (When I usually eat lunch)

5th period - World History to 21 sophomores

- Lunch/Recess - 12:30-1:25

6th period - US History to 12 juniors

7th period - Prep period turned into proctored US History class with 2 seniors

I appreciate all those that have been praying for me and I am so thankful for how those prayers have been answered. I am incredibly encouraged by all the texts and emails that continue to show me great support. The Lord has given me a lot of strength and energy to tackle each day, and I am incredible thankful for His provisions and continual blessings. Every school morning a van goes around and picks up many of the American teachers to take us to the school. I find myself being the most energetic and wired person on the van when it rolls in to pick us up at 6:50am. This may be a product of good coffee, good sleep, or just my natural inclination as a morning person, but I know the real reason is the good God who has blessed me with so much strength and encouragement every morning.

(Side note: please pray for my coworkers who are not morning people...)

Now to address what caught your eye in the first place, Protests! Bolivia has a history of protests and this first month has been a firm introduction into just how protests are a part of Bolivian culture. I write this update after walking home from church due to the fact that there is a transportation protest going on right now, and many of the streets are blocked off by protestors arguing about the new bus line being put in. Rumor has it that a bigger transportation protest will occur this Tuesday and completely shut down the city of La Paz. School was cancelled last Wednesday due to protests shutting down the streets, and apparently this is a somewhat common thing in Bolivia. After having the day off on Wednesday, I returned to school Thursday where one teacher asked me how my "Bolivian Snow Day" was, referring of course to the protest day. Currently three blocks from my apartment there has been an ongoing protest since last Tuesday, in which some miners, from a mine 16 hours away, have shut down the street in front of a building where their mining company has their headquarters. It is inconveniently located right in front of the major supermarket near my place, but it has been interesting to pass by the tented protestors and observe this experience. Pictures below show the many different scenes I have come across during these protests.

Bolivia has a long history of protests and so far I have seen political protests, transportation protests, mining/labor protests, and apparently there is a doctor protest going on right now, which has prevented many of us new teachers from getting our work physicals. It really hit me today though, literally...as in myself, and many others at an outdoor church barbecue were hit with tear gas that had blown over from a nearby intersection being protested on. One minute you're savoring your arroz con queso and the next minute your tears of joy turn into a fiery burning sensation that coats the nose and throat, and those tears are real and extremely painful! It was quite the scene today as 30 people amidst a church picnic collectively scramble to grab whatever food dishes were left and sprint into the house while eyes water, and throats become coated with a picante chemical I wouldn't wish on my worst students. While recovering inside a local Bolivian man summed it up well with a statement that felt like a right of passage, "Welcome to Bolivia".