The Little Things

Teaching children has always held a special place in my heart. These past 8 months has been a constant reminder as to why, teaching is my passion. For us teachers, the littlest things have the biggest rewards.

Monday as I sat in the quad waiting to enter one of the 4 year old classrooms, a boy from the 5 year old class came sprinting out, on a mission to go ‘pee pee.’ As soon as he laid eyes on me, not skipping a beat in stride, smiled and said, ‘Hello Jenna.’ I said hello back and pushed a little further and asked, ‘How are you?’ ‘How are you?’ he immediately replied back, mimicking the same question I had just asked. He quickly turned around the corner and was out of my sight. (I was left thinking, ‘ok so he doesn’t quite understand the meaning of what I asked. No pasa nada (Don’t worry) I’m thinking. I mean I do only work with them 30 minutes, once a week. At least he did remember my name. He is 5 and did have to go ‘pee pee’ really bad.) As quickly as he was out of my sight, to my surprise I see the same sweet, little face re-appear around the corner. He smiled again and said, ‘I’m fine,’ turned around and continued onward to the toilets.

Immediately my face filled with joy. As the little boy sprinted past me on his way to the toilets, his little brain was processing the words exchanged. He recognized that I asked him a question, in which he indeed knew the response. It took him a second to realize what I had asked, but he did. My hard work and persistence is paying off. I continue to work with these little guys, poco a poco, and that moment proved I am here making a difference. One pat on the back for me.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I always work with the first grade bilingual class for an hour after recess. Yesterday as I followed behind the first graders into class, I caught David turned around in his chair. As soon as he laid eyes on me, he smiled and energetically yelled in English, ‘Yes, English.’ Enough said.

Today as I left the students in the first grade bilingual class to complete work from their workbooks, Adrian who sits in the front of the first row, for a reason (he never pays attention and is always talking to Jorge, his neighbor,) inquisitively asked in Spanish how to say ‘de nada’ in English. Normally one wouldn’t become so excited over such a question, but since sweet-faced, never pays attention Adrian suddenly became interested this afternoon, it made me happy.

It’s not very often my students are interested in wanting to learn a new word in English. English is required for all students and therefore many students feel the pressure to learn the language and it often times becomes forced upon them. So to have a young student like Adrian, inquire about learning a new word, you can’t help but smile. It helps reinforce one of the reasons as to why I am here, teaching English in Spain. I am making a difference and it sure feels good.

Team Jaèn: 3 points


First grade bilingual class <3

3 Bushways in Jaèn

In the middle of their recent European travels, my wonderful parents squeezed a trip to come see me here in Jaèn. The agenda: give me lots of hugs and kisses, see the city I call home, meet my Spanish and American friends, and make a visit to the school I work at.

Monday morning arrived and my parents picked me up in their swanky BMW rental car and drove me to school, just like old times. As soon as we stepped foot on to campus, they experienced the head turning effect and stares. Who are those ‘young’ people walking with Jenna?! They can’t be her parents…they look so young! (Mama and Papa Bushway have never felt so good!) The first grade bilingual class, was our first stop of the day. As I took the reigns and began teaching about water, leave it to my dad to take a seat in the back of the class and pretend to be a first grader. All my students laughed and giggled, wondering WHO, was this man in the back of their class. Thanks dad...they already think I’m crazy, so they now understand where I get it from!!

Next, we made our way into one of the 4 year old classes. Mari Lola cleared her lesson plans and let me introduce the kids to my parents. And boy did they meet Mom and Dad. Little did Mari Lola know, that singing and dancing, is what we Bushways live for. I had my students perform our whole repertoire of songs with my parents. The three of us stood in front of the class and we chanted, sang, and acted out, ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,’ ‘If you’re Happy and You Know it,’ ‘Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn Around,’ and a couple others. I don’t think Mari Lola and the students knew quite the level of talent we Bushways got! My co-workers and students all enjoyed meeting my parents. My dad left telling a couple of my co-workers ‘to continue to look and care after me.’ I think they felt the love I receive and have at Serrano de Haro.

It was such a nice feeling to share a little of the city and culture that has captivated my heart with my parents. It was even better to give them both long awaited hugs and kisses and to just sit face to face and talk over delicious tapas and wine. In an email my dad sent as they sat ready to board the plane to Paris he said, ‘I loved your city and best of all you. Nothing is more beautiful than you.’

I love you both dearly. <3



Can you find the new first grader?

Ciao Bella

Sunset over the Basilica

Gelato, canals, wine, cobblestone walkways, pizza, Ancient Italian history…yes please! I was fortunate enough to spend 10 spectacular days during my Semana Santa (spring break) in Italy.

Italy is undeniably one of the most gorgeous countries, rich with many historical stories to be shared. Due to the size, complexity and beauty of the coliseum, cathedrals, bridges, buildings, ceilings, and the Vatican, I am impressed with the Italians know-how to construct such beauty, 2,000 years ago. The sunsets at night, blew me away the Venetian skies wowed me and the delicious Italian food had me walking non-stop!

Highlights from the trip:

1. Sustine Chapel- sat and admired it for 30 minutes.
2. St. Peter’s Cathedral
3. The million and one bridges and canals in Venice.
4. Pizza slice sold by the weight and eaten on the street.
5. Pointe Vecchio in Florence.
6. Hiking up to the small Renaissance town in Greve in Chianti.
7. All the GELATO! (oh yes, we ate it everyday)
8. Sunset over the Basilica in Rome.
9. The thousands of miles walked.
10. The train rides we took between each city, enjoying the green, rolling hills of the countryside.
11. Venice’s cathedral- miniature, golden, hand placed mosaic tiles, cover the inside.

Greve in Chianti

Replica of David and the SKY

Duomo in Florence



Leaning Tower in Pisa

Venice

Arc de Constantine and the Coliseum

GELATO!



I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to travel throughout Italy and I have my travel buddy Katie, to thank. Thank you for making this so enjoyable and memorable. We will be back...next stop...gondola rides with our husbands?! haha!