El Primer Día en la Escuela – The First Day of School

The first day of school is always a contradiction in that it represents both new beginnings and unfinished business. For the new beginnings, each semester is a fresh start for students and teachers alike, a chance to learn something new (algo nuevo) , enhance existing directions of study and if desired, change directions towards something else. In the opposite way, it represents unfinished business, as it is a step along the academic path, another marker along the way (el camino), and can be a source of anxiety and nervousness in which the uncertainty of the future can lead to a belief that new things just bring new problems and concerns.

When I was a full time student, this new beginning meant putting on my best tie dyed t-shirt and heading to class to look for friends or like minded new people who might become friends (amigos) in the future. I also wanted to size up my competition, to see who I might have to “beat” in order to get an A. I was a competitive student who put on an air of disinterest and aloofness, which came across as an attitude that I didn’t care, but deep down I was driven to both learn and compete.

As a teacher, my motive has transformed and become distinctly different, as I want know to get to know my students, to have them see themselves as part of a new community of learners. I have worked hard (he trabajado duro) to master techniques for learning peoples names right away, to help create a climate that fosters participation, inquiry and self discovery. I also want to create a safe environment which affords students the opportunity (la oportunidad) to take risks and go into ambiguous territory, as that is the palace where real learning occurs.

I revisited this yesterday at la UMCE, where I participated in the first day of class for the second semester in my colleague Claudio’s class. I watched as the fresh faced, motivated and excited students came into the class and filled the desks in the classroom (la aula). This group of about 50 students is studying to become science teachers here in Chile, and the smiles, laughter, animated apprehension and uncertainly exhibited by the students surely was familiar. In fact, this scene has been played our many times in my own classrooms, and as the students made their ways to their seats and class was ready to begin, they all looked around to see who was also in attendance, and the joy and anticipation bubbled to the top.

I’ve been here at la UMCE long enough to recognize some of the students and for some of them to recognize me, to share hellos (holas) with one another and to catch up on events in our daily lives (nuestras días de las vidas). The laughter among the students as I gave my greetings in Spanish was familiar and attractive, a welcomed invitation to a new beginning. With that realization, I know that I have come to a new place. Although I am in a new location, in a new country and with brand new students (estudiantes nuevos), I am engaged in a familiar experience and perspective, a chance to help students learn and grow as future educators.