Today I visited a public school in the suburbs of Phoenix. At last, I could see how  an American public school looks like. A very nice lady working for “teach for America” came to the school to drive me there. The school is really very far, it took us two hours to get there. It is a very big school and has 1800 students of all races. The classes I attended are special education classes. The students have some learning disabilities and are there to be helped to be able to catch up with the rest of the students.

I observed for the first hour the teacher doing jeopardy game. It was really attention grabbing   as the students were mostly interested in the activity and participated actively in it.

Later I was introduced to the students and talked to them about my country, some of its traditions, the languages spoken there, etc. they asked me questions and there was a good interaction. I liked the school although my host was worried that I would see some of the behaviors I would not like. I usually start on field trips adopting a positive attitude. And, I still have the same feeling after going around the school: to the cafeteria, the gymnasium, the yard…

The area where the school is located is far from being Scottsdale or Paradise valley where I live and teach now, but I like it. I like to experience different things and to meet different people, and by going there I had that opportunity.

The kids there are more or less the same as the kids I teach in my classes. Life is already very hard on them; and so I think that we should value their work no matter what.