Costa Rica - Day 4 - The School Experience

Today we visited a high school and then an elementary school and I have to say that this has been the highlight of my visit to this beautiful country. The high school Liceo Innovacion Educativa Pocora was founded in 2000 and last year they had 620 enrolled students. We arrived and were divided into groups of two teachers and sent to different classrooms in order to observe classes and interact with students. Another Spanish teacher, Tammy and I went to observe a Spanish and Literature class and had a wonderful time. The classroom was small and did not have many educative materials. I talked to the teacher and she mentioned that students have to purchase their textbooks, but not every student can afford them so she has to make copies of the pages they need to read and review. Later, we met with the principal, viceprincipal and the seniors in a very small library. There we were introduced a brief history of the school and then the Toyota team and IEE donated a CD and DVD players as well as books to the school. Three Costa Rican students played the guitar for us and one of them played and sang gospel songs. Alison, one of the coordinators, asked me if I could represent the teachers and thank them for their hospitality. I stood in front of the large group and tried to encourage the seniors to continue with their dreams. I mentioned I had been moved while I toured the campus because that particular school looked like the one I attended during high school years. Then I paused for a few seconds because I was moved so much and could not talk.

After that amazing experience of interacting with high school students, we were transferred to the elementary school, where we were received in the same manner. The students, dressed in their traditional uniform (white shirt and blue pants)were lined up and sang the Costa Rican National Anthem and the Pledge of Alliegance to us. In return, we sang our own anthem and recited the pledge. Donations of soccer balls were distributed and then we observed classes. I observed a 2nd grade class full of the most beautiful, respectful, and wonderful children. I was surrounded by about 5-6 students. I sang a few songs to them and we played a game in which they had to guess my children's names after looking at a picture. They loved it! We also had the chance to have a very personal interview with the principal of the school. Students were so enthusiastic and thrilled about our visit and came out of their classroom with notebooks and requested our autographs. When I asked why they were doing that, one of the teachers mentioned that nobody visits them during the year.

As I was leaving the school, I turned around and saw their sad faces. They were waiving at us with such enthusiasm that made me so sad to leave them. Later I heard that teachers told them we might come back in three hours if they were good. Otherwise, they wouldn't have calmed down at all. What a tremendous lesson this was for me. They literally have very little resourcess and they are still happy. We have so many resources in our school and complain about it because we want more. The high school seniors showed a very strong of humility, teamwork, and love. When asked if they had certain priviledges at school for being seniors, like eating first, they answered in the negative and added, "We believe in equality." What a great response! I wish we had this mentality of treating each other equally.