Regular classes at the Utila Methodist Community College (UMCC) began Monday, September 6. As chaplain and school board member I went up for assembly (held each day) at 7:30a.m. But my real nervousness came as I prepared for my first day teaching: Friday, September 10.
The title of my class: The Journeys of Paul. The night before I finished working up some introductory / background material on Paul and his world. I figured I'd be invited to give a devotion at assembly (7:30 - 7:45) and was prepared to read Psalm 8 and give a brief reflection on education.
After a restless night I got up and put on my school clothes. (Slacks and a guayabera shirt.) Assembly went well. (All the kids stand for assembly; it lasts about 15 minutes.)
My students were pretty well behaved in the first period (7th & 9th grades); the second class was not quite as good (8th grade). I managed. One class member attended both periods and slept right through the class each time. He's a dog. Nobody paid him any mind so halfway through the first class I asked if he came to school every day. They said, yes, he did. "What's his name?" I asked. They replied, "Ask him." Thinking this dog must know some trick I immediately looked down at him and said, "What's your name?" The students howled. "Askim's his name," they shouted. The dog didn't even open his eyes.
In future journal entries I'll include some pictures of students and teachers. (I forgot my camera on the first day of class.) By the way, we still have room for you, you math and science teacher that we know is out there somewhere...
|
Public school in Honduras runs through the 6th grade. Private schools like the Utila Methodist Community College allow youth to continue their education. |
| UMCC added the 9th grade this year. Enrollment stands at 35, with the possibility of adding two more students in the second week. |  |
 |
This is my classroom as viewed from the outside. There are desks for 17 students. |
