Its come to my attention that some of my students have "discovered" the fact that I have a blog. I guess this means that I need to be a bit more conscious of what it is I am writing. To be fair, I am not sure if they actually have ready anything I have written, other than to see a few pictures that I have posted in my past posts. It may in fact blow their minds that someone would actually write for a purpose other than school or work! Either way, I will have to start watching my potty mouth, for sure.
So, its September and school has started again. This means a few different things. One: A new batch of students that I need to convince that I am indeed (part) Mexican. Two: I have taken on a new position as a Dean of Student Achievement which means my parent interactions have increased. Three. My Spanish classes have started up again, and I have only one more semester to master the language. I will touch on all three of these points for today's post.
Point 1: Like I said, I have a new batch of students. Each year since I have been at my school, it takes a good couple of months before my sometimes-self-absorbed students come to the realization that the name "Contreraz" is of Latino descent. Once discovered however, I have a delicate high wire act which I have to perform in order to let them know I know enough Spanish to understand when they are talking trash about me or another person, but avoid having to actually speak it in front of them. I know, I am the adult, and at this point of my life, I should be "over" people laughing at me. But when I am sincerely trying to work at my linguistic abilities, and practice through conversations with my students in their native language, I usually receive roars of laughter and ridicule. Usually lines like, "Your accent is hilarious!" "That's not how you say it!" and you guessed it, "Mr. C. are you sure you're Mexican?" As a 7 year veteran educator and now-administrator, I have pretty thick skin. However, for reasons that I am sure are painfully obvious, I tend to get sensitive on issues over my Mexican-identity. As the year unfolds, I hope to get over myself, and my students' laughter and really work at my Spanish. I am blessed with a school of 60-70% Spanish speakers. I need to take full advantage, right?
Point 2: As mentioned above, I was promoted this year to the role of Dean of Student Achievement. This means I am following in the footsteps of such classic deans as Dean Wormer from "Animal House" and Dean Pritchard Cheeeeeese from "Old School."
We have already had a couple of "open-house" type events at our school and I can't help but see a pattern of repetition between my students and their parents. I get that same look of disappointment from Senor and Senora Estudiante that I get from their hijos y hijas when they discover I don't speak their language. To add insult to inury, I have an (extremely) white translator helping me when it comes to parent phone calls and meetings. As you can imagine, it causes some confusion when parents come in, and see me, who looks like the real thing but is unable to effectively communicate. Then the guerra comes in and is able to speak impeccable Spanish. Embarrassing? Undoubtedly. I have tried to speak a bit at the start and end of the meetings, hoping that it counts for something. However, I am pretty sure its more insulting than helpful. Kudos though to my translator however, because her linguistic capabilities are mind blowing.
Point 3: I started last year with a program being offered through the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in connection with the Resource Center of the Americas that offers Spanish classes for employees that work with Latin populations.
Its been pretty good and helpful thus far. In fact this summer, I had to take a placement test which would split our last semester of classes up between an Intermediate 1 and a review class. I tested into the Intermediate class, which is great. Its very rigorous and requires a paper written in Espanol each week. There are only four of us in the class so its sorta impossible to blend into the crowd. Again however, just like with my last couple of teachers in the program, there is confusion about why I am in the class....they always say, "Contreraz...why are you here...don't you speak Spanish?" In my mind, I always want to say, "I wouldn't be here if I did dumb-ass." I don't say that out loud however. I always respond with the usual politlely canned answer, "No, but hoping to!"Anyway, regarding these three points, I have devised three goals for the year.
Goal 1: I will get over myself. You heard it here first folks. I will no longer be intimidated by my students condescending laughter. The only way I will get better at speaking Spanish is to P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E. If I get laughed at, so be it. I like to think that maybe Einstein was laughed at until he created the A-bomb. Whose laughing now?
Goal 2: Very much like the above goal...I will do my best to engage parents in Spanish. No longer will I let my insecurities get in the way in my attempts at communication. The only way my extremely white-translator friend will be able to outshine me is by her glowing white skin. Not in skills!
Goal 3: I will work my ass off in Spanish class. Somewhere someone payed for me to be in this program. I need to make the most of it, in order to best serve God's Spanish speaking people. Gone are the days of doing things at the last minute, I shall do my homework ahead of time!
To finish the way I started the blog: I'm done being a "Baby Boy." Its "time to "ring the alarm" because "I'm a survivor" and I won't ever go on thinking that "I'm irreplaceable" as a teacher. You are welcome for the terrible puns...and if you are still wondering why I included these, its because I'm setting goals like Beyonce Knowles. Let's see if that line catches on!
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