As I reflect on the time I spent in Jamaica for the Study Abroad Education program the one thing that sticks out is that there was a roller coaster of emotions. My arrival in Jamaica was fantastic and I was so excited to be there to help children with their reading skills. However, with things going on at home that were out of my control a flood of emotions arose. Through the support of my family, the fantastic SPC team I was  a part of, and the GreatShape! Inc. leadership I knew I could overcome what was happening and turn things around.

The first couple days were rough, but I made it through. Once I got into the school and met the principal, teachers, and students at Pell River Primary School I knew everything was going to be okay for me. I found working in the school to be a rewarding experience for me as well as the children. I may have taught them about how to sound out words and listened to them buddy read, but they taught me a great deal more. They taught me to be grateful for the things I have and to enjoy life a little bit more. The smiles on those innocent faces were my driving force throughout the trip.

I was excited to conduct small group instruction and to teach a whole group lesson to grades 1 – 3. In one particular small group I had four grade three students using puppets I had made of Mo Willems’ Piggie and Elephant while they read “We Are in a Book”. They loved the puppets and really took off reading the story as Piggie or Gerald. The next day one student came up to me and said “Banana” many times and I smiled because the book had obviously stuck with him. Then during the small group he was so excited because he wanted to use the puppets again. It brings tears to my eyes as I think back to the joy that he was clearly experiencing because I had introduced a puppet as a way to make reading more enjoyable.

A heartbreaking moment I endured during this trip was when we were handing out shoes to the students and we did not have a pair for one young, grade one girl. I was reminded that day, by a member of my school team, to think of how many children we had helped. Although I know it was a joyful experience for many children I will never forget the heartbreak in that young girl’s face. This moment made me realize that too often I take things for granted.

There were many joyful moments during this trip and it is something that I will forever remember. At first I was friends with only three SPC students and mere acquaintances with the rest, but after this trip this SPC team will forever be part of my family. We were an awesome team and helped each other out in many ways. I wish there were words to express just how much I have grown to care about each of them, but I cannot explain everything they have done to help me grow as a person.

Jamaica will forever be in my heart. I will continue to watch the videos I have of my students singing on the last day at Pell River. This trip will be something that I will share with my future students for years to come. I am thankful and grateful for the time I got to spend teaching the students of Pell River and the time they spent teaching me.