Mama Tara and Term 3

This week Term 3 is ending, and boy has it been “interesting.”
As you know, I live with Poughie, another local teacher, and up until this term her 15 year old son has been away at boarding school. However, this term he stayed with us and commuted. Thus, throughout term 3, I have heard the daily call of “Mama Tara…” As in “Mama Tara, can I have 50 rand ($7) for a field trip tomorrow?” (Yes, if you rake the leaves in the yard, sweep and polish the stoop, and wash my car.) “Mama Tara, can I borrow your car?” (You are 15, have NO license and NO insurance, so uh… NO!!) Having had a few pseudo-parenting experiences, I salute those of you who have raised teenagers or are going to (good luck)!
Term 3 brought on new teaching challenges too. I took on the grade 12s which has been quite difficult. They are suffering from major senioritis and yet have to take matric exams. The trial exams were pretty dismal; I only hope they will attend classes in October before the November final exams begin. (I have been told that seeing them in October is unlikely though. So not only are they not attending class, they spend their time forgetting anything they did learn, with the conclusion being failing (not progressing) marks. I have to be hopeful though.) On the flip side, my grade 10s and 11s are showing nice improvement. Over 80% of students are passing my class, most with a 40 or above (my goal for the term), and a few above 70 (yeah!). I did have a setback with the grade 11 research papers (essentially most of the papers were entirely “quotes”!), but I really think they have little to no practice in writing research papers or formal essays, especially in English and about Science. If only I had more time with them…
If only… If only has been a bit of a theme this term. If only the school had a couple of laptops, if only we had a library (or even access to one), if only class wasn’t cancelled AGAIN for a meeting, if only the washing machine would not flood the house, if only it wasn’t so windy and dusty, if only my apartment building in NYC wasn’t sold, if only…
Despite the ups and downs, term 3 had some great moments… handing back passing exams to grade 10s and 11s and watching them share their marks smiling proudly, going to Kruger Park (finally!), getting beautiful Zulu beads in KZN, Women’s Day ride and friendship, Sports Day braii and jiving, dressing in school uniform for fund raiser, swimming at Bela Bela, tasting new wines (Roodeberg vineyard is new fav), learning a little Sepedi from my learners and co-workers [who are very appreciative and supportive even with my mistakes, like when I called to the principal in Sepedi, “Good morning , chicken of the school” (chicken and head sound very similar, oops)], SMSing (texting) my fellow Fulbrighters (who have certainly heard a lot from me this term, talk about squeaky wheel – thanks all!), really using the lab equipment to make lessons, learning and teaching more fun for all, and even going to or driving my car to all but 1 province (Northern Province, you are last on my list, but I will get there), and so much more …
With the end of term 3 (I am over halfway done my marking), I will be off with fellow Fulbrighter, Aminah, to Victoria Falls for a nice break and some R&R. More later all…