Working With Students

Every year, for the past three, usually on Thursday, I find myself shocked that I need no nebulizer or additional respiratory aid due to confrontation of my asthma, many cigarette smoking individuals and the smoke filled air of Livno.  We will return to the states with clothes reeking of smoke and some trinkets to remember our Bosnian venture.  Purchased thus far?  Bosnian and Croatian coffee, some cherry juice that Carrie and I have shared enjoyment drinking and a bottle of spray starch, and refill size as souvenirs of time spent here.  Indeed, strange assortment of stuff, but then again, I am a bit strange, and Carrie agrees, but is used to it.

Classroom lessons went well in Glamoč, the chemistry teacher asking if I might leave some of the materials there with her, and I left it all, 5 of the digital thermometers and 5 sets of glass beakers  I purchased and left here last year for use.  I may need plan to bring more next year when I return.  Carrie got to work as one of my teacher's assistants, helping me set up, along with some of the team. As Carrie stated in yesterday's blog, there is much overshadowing the people and town of Glamoč.  

Physics Activity in Glamoč

One thing that seems never change is the kids.  It seems to me that wherever I go here or anywhere in the U.S. kids are kids.  These students may speak a different language, but they act and do just as young people at home.  If you didn't walk outside the doors of the building, or look too closely at the condition of it, or the fact that I was teaching the lesson through a translator, the process would look identical here to home.  It might be best served with a silent movie of both, demonstrating the similar workings of my Bosnian and American students.  While I teach in the classrooms, Brad Garner works with teachers discussing ADHD in students (at the teacher's request).

Chemistry Lab with teacher looking on.

Afterwards we return to town for a brief respite and then off to a meeting with the Head of Eduction for the Organization and Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina...(whew, say that in one breath) for lunch (at 4pm).  Bosnians eat two meals a day, breakfast and lunch (between 4 and 5) with snacks and coffee in between, and they are mostly slender...and tall.  It was a good day doing something I have come to love, working in the classroom with students.