West Bank = Zambia?!?

During my preparations for Zambia, I have already learned something that I can take with me and apply it to my life now. Crazy to think that God would call me to go to Zambia, and before I even go there, He has already taught me something that I can use right here in New Orleans. Amazing.

This story begins 3 years ago. I was a recent graduate searching for THE career job. Unfortunately budget cuts were beginning - not as extreme as the current situation - so not many colleges were hiring. I was going to be married in a few months, and we had agreed upon moving to the New Orleans area. This decision was mainly based because of job opportunities. But deep down at this time, I really didn't want to move to New Orleans. Where I grew up (about 1 hour south west of New Orleans), all I knew of New Orleans was that it was a dirty place full of crime. This is all I heard on the news - nothing but negative. Yes, I did visit New Orleans every now and then with friends or family to either shop or to do touristy type stuff, but even through some of the fun stuff I would see the negative - homeless people, smells, dirty streets, etc. So I developed this negative judgment on the entire city. I'm very happy to say that after moving here, this judgment has begun to fade away. I now am beginning to see the beauty of this city, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I applied for a teaching position at Delgado Community College. I had no idea that Delgado had 3 different campuses (actually more now). I thought I was applying for a City Park Campus position, when low and behold it was actually a West Bank position. Now this bayou girl, had only been to the West Bank once in her life - to go camping at Bayou Signet as a teenager. I had no idea what the West Bank was. Again, assumptions and judgments were told to me (before I even knew I got the job!), but this time, I decided to ignore them all and experience it for myself. I received a full time teaching position and was VERY excited about starting my dream career job. As Fall '08 quickly approached, I had set exceptions as a college teacher. I thought all my students would be so motivated to learn. After all, they are paying to learn and wanting to be here since they chose to come to college. Boy, did I have a wake up call. Was that the case? No. Or at least not for ALL of my students. I remember feeling a "culture shock." I knew this was different from what I experienced as a college and grad student. Whatever I was feeling I didn't let it get in my way of beginning my journey of being that teacher who cares about my students (or at least trying to be). Remember that teacher that had an impact on your life? That's my inspiration. Not much of this was accomplished my first semester, or first year for that matter. But I knew God was beginning to work in my heart and softened it for these students.

During these past three years, I've been slowly starting to let these expectations and assumptions of students (that I don't even know!) fade. Just like the judgments I had on the city. I've started to slowly let myself learn the culture of the area that I am teaching in, and the culture of my students. You see, in these past 3 years, I've had the opportunity to listen to a few of my students current story. And it's amazing. It's amazing that they are in school trying to receive an education, in order to provide more for their family despite all these obstacles in their life. To think about how much I tortured this one student about being late every now and then, only to find out that this student WALKED to school everyday (you know like the stories that your grandparents would tell?) - and THIS particular day it was raining. Sitting in my class, wet, and I complained that he was 10 min late? Now, I'm not saying that I let my students off the hook because of their current situations - I do hold them responsible for their work like every one else - but my heart was not in the right place. Am I being that teacher who inspires and cares?!

All this to say, as I am currently learning to not make assumptions of Zambia (a place I've never visited), and to be open and learn their culture so that we can meet their needs. - I realized, I should have done this all along with New Orleans. Yes, I did somewhat start this process slowly without realizing it.

But now I get it.
Now I can be more conscious of it.
Now I can make more of a point of understanding where my students are coming from in order to meet their needs.

How can one do all of this through teaching math? - By showing them love. By giving them encouragement. By showing them to have confidence in themselves.

So now I challenge you. Do you have assumptions made of a particular area or a person? I challenge you to learn their story or culture and see life through their eyes. - Not for you to change your own culture or feel sorry for someone, but to understand one another and maybe have the opportunity to share a little love.

Zambia is 10 days away for me. No telling what God has left to teach this little hard headed bayou girl, but I can tell you that I'm trying to be open to it.

-Miche