John's Next Step

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Christmas lights in my subdivision I’ve traveled home for the holidays. My children are moving out of the house and on to other places and I’ve come back to see them off and to enjoy the holidays at home. As a Peace Corps volunteer you do miss family and it is nice to be able to take a break from service to spend time a home. I was able to spend Christmas with my kids and grand kids and to see my mom and my two brothers in Arkansas. My daughter and I took the 5.5 hour trip from St. Louis to mom’s for an overnight visit and then back to St. Louis. My short time in the states means that I’ve not been able to see nearly everyone that I wanted to see. Missy, Libby, and Andy Andy and pappa John (no relation to pizza) With Samantha and Mom Daniel and the bridge he build for the prayer garden some years ago Of course life goes on while a volunteer is away. For older volunteers this also means taking care o...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Some of the buses have tinsel and I’ve seen strings of Christmas lights decorating a few stores, but none of the houses. I’ve seen some fake Christmas trees in stores, but not in homes. Christmas in Grenada is not about lights and dazzling decorations. I had heard a lot of Christmas music in the stores and on the buses in early November, but less now. Still there is nothing like listening to tropical children singing about a one horse open sleigh as part of the Christmas program. Christmas in Grenada is traditionally a holiday to have people over for a big meal and conversation. People move from house to house throughout the day to enjoy food and friends. Last year I was here for just a few short weeks and one of the neighbors invited me over because “you can’t be alone for Christmas”. And if people are visiting you need fresh paint inside and out and everything cleaned. Scrapping paint in early November “Beginning to ...

This past week was the last one for the term before a three week break for the holidays. I was able to get one last math exam in on Tuesday. I can’t even tell you how much the kids were thrilled about that. The issues between the government and the teachers resulted in some schools skipping a celebration. We decided to have a Christmas party for the kids. This required some planning and preparation of course. The setting area is ready Getting a little phonics in before the program.  They asked, I didn't push it. Making up the bags And making ice cream. We had the party on Wednesday. Each class had a song, skit, or dance. And I was surprised to find out the teachers also had a song to sign. I can’t even tell you how much I was thrilled about that. Get to your seats! Not sure why the white man needs to do a tongue check.  But I guess he does. Yep, your tongue is there. Children watch you teacher for the actions, not Mr. John...

The normal end to Peace Corps is close of service (COS) at about 24 months after being sworn in. However, there are other ways to get out. We serve as volunteers and can early terminate (ET) anytime. I’ve heard about people who get off the plane in some third world airport and see, hear, or smell something and realize it’s not for them even before training starts. Peace Corps does not make anyone stay if they want to leave. If a volunteer violates a major rule or something Peace Corps may decide to administratively separate (ad sep) a volunteer. Nobody wants this black mark. A medical issue that cannot be supported in the country brings a medical evacuation back to the states. If the condition cannot be resolved with 45 days of care it automatically turns into medical separation. I had to leave Ghana under medical evacuation for a lung issue but I was cleared to return to service before the end of the 45 days. However, I didn’t have enough time left in my service so I coul...

The issue is not yet settled between the teachers and the administration, but with some better negotiations, we got back to school on Tuesday. So almost a week of school. Back to teaching, lesson plans, and progress. Nice to have a nearly full school assembly again I’m still mainly focused on math. I had 5/6 of my class on Tuesday and Wednesday and everyone on Thursday and Friday. This week we talked about fractions. I described what they are, how to think about and draw diagrams, along with addition and subtraction methods. Most of the students picked up on the topic after some practice. I will give another exam to check in on the understanding and then turn to division as the final topic of the term. We are supposed to have two weeks left. Technically the temporary agreement to teach goes until this coming Friday. However, I think we can presume that we will be able to finish up the term. The last week will be a review and then end of term and holiday activities r...