A BAD Day at School

An Amazing Day
As part of our program we have been paired with a teacher from a school in India. My partner is Mr. G.S. Lawania, a secondary math teacher. He is the kindest man and has done a great job of navigating me through the complicated school system of India. He did his homework and was very familiar with the New Jersey school standards, Abbot schools, and our Roxbury web site. We have had several meetings to discuss the project that I will do with my students when I return home. Today I visited his school.

The First to Arrive
A driver was arranged and he arrived to pick me up at 6 am to take me to school, which starts at 7:30. Traffic at most times of the day in Delhi at least doubles your travel time (another blog). We had good fortune and arrived at the school at 6:45. India schools are no different than American schools and the teachers had not even arrived. I was in good hands with the students who made me feel welcome.

Morning Assembly
Every school has a morning assembly in the field outside. On the stage, selected students played traditional instruments and led the drills. Students line up in perfect rows and stand at attention for the entire assembly, not one student talked during the 20 minute session. During assembly they sing, say a pledge of allegiance, pray to God (complete with chanting), read poetry and student work, have instruction in simple yoga exercise and listen to announcements. I was introduced and asked to speak to the students. There were about 600 students there. At the conclusion they silently marched to their classrooms.

Sent to the Principal's Office
The principal and Lawania welcomed me to sit in the office. A man brought water on a tray and waited until I had my fill. We sat on a couch and had a simple snack of tomato sandwiches, nuts, something like potato sticks and lemon soda. After snack time (yea!), we walked around the open-air corridors to visit classes. Each time we walked in the students rose in unison and said “good morning Mam”. The youngest group sang a song for me…it was so cute!!!! Each class was so excited to have me visit and wanted to get in a picture. They were very respectful and gracious.

Tea Time
Every morning and afternoon Indians break for tea. Once again we sat with the principal, Lawania and the assistant principal. We were served chai a hot, sweet tea, nuts and cookies. Mind you I wasn’t quite full from the previous snack time but it was getting to be hard to eat more snacks!

On to Another School
Lawania has recently been transferred to another school. It is common practice to move teachers within the system about every 5 years. He drove me to his new school. My driver had been waiting for me the entire time so he followed us in his car. The ride was approximately 5 miles but with traffic it took about ½ hour (this was at 10 o’clock in the morning). We arrived at the school and the process repeated…including another snack time!

Treated Like a Rock Star
Everywhere I went the students were so excited to have me visit their classes or greet them in the halls. They swarmed me and wanted to get in a picture. A class of grade 5 girls, dressed in costume, danced a traditional dance for me. Later they presented me with roses. As I left their class they each touched my feet. The principal later explained that I should touch their heads as a blessing in the name of God. It was very humbling to say the least.

Farwell
After a final snack (I’m not kidding) and some more chatting, it was time to leave. The girls from the dance class lined up in front of the school to send me on my way. Students crowded around to say farewell. From the windows students crowded to wave goodbye. It was one of the most amazing moments in my teaching career.

The Ride Home
My driver was ready for the return to the hotel. The journey back was rough! The taxi took us through the crowded streets. The distance was about 15 miles but it took 1½ hours in stop and go traffic (more on that another time). By the time I arrived back my stomach was in knots! Our schedule is packed full so I only had a short time to eat and get ready to battle the traffic once again to go to the science museum. All in the day of a rock star!