Place Bridge Academy

     Honestly, I should have been blogging more about my students at Place Bridge Academy. My whole blog should be about these kids. I can not express the love that I have for these children, that school, and the teachers that I have had the opportunity to work with. I have talked about Bouchra, the Muslim friend that Molly and I made at the beginning of the semester, but there are so many more names you all do not know about.
     In my morning classes, working with fourth and fifth graders, I got to know five teachers, including Bouchra. Mr. Leela, and Mrs. Mathoka are two of the teachers that I had the joy of really getting to work with and getting to know. Leela is from Nepal, and has the biggest heart and smile that I have ever seen. Mrs. Mathoka has the warmest hugs, and is one of the best math teachers that I have witnessed. Leela works with the students in the computer lab, helping them with their Imagine Learning program that teaches them English and how to read. I don't think I have ever seen Leela not smiling...The kids LOVE his big heart and his funny humor. He can make anyone laugh no matter what kind of day you are having. Mrs. Mathoka loves nothing more than to see her students succeed on a math problem. She puts forth all of her efforts and pours her whole heart into these children. The teachers at Place Bridge Academy know no end when it comes to working hard for their kids. In the afternoons, I am working in a first grade class for Mrs. Taggart. This is a class filled with twenty-six six to seven year olds, and I have never met a teacher that puts so much effort into making sure her students succeed. Mrs. Taggart is so good with these refugee children, and loves them with everything she has. Mrs. Dia is the paraprofessional in this class, and is also now one of my dearest friends. Dia is hilarious, so loving, loud, and beautiful. She loves the students, Mrs. Taggart, and I very well. Mrs. Dia has two children that are students at Place Bridge, and they are both just like their mother. I have had such an amazing time working with these people and learning from their joy, love, and cultural wisdom. I am looking forward to the day I get to see them again. Thank you teachers and Place Bridge for an incredible experience these past three months, I love you all very much.

     Now for the students...I really can't talk about them without crying, just because of how great of a job they do loving me. Every morning I am greeted in the cafeteria with big smiles, rosy cheeks, and warm hugs. All with different colors of skin and different accents saying "good morning Ms. Katie!!". I am telling you, people; the children at Place Bridge are some incredible individuals. Just sitting here writing this blog, I am starting to tear up...My fourth and fifth graders are all so smart. Each and everyone of them are so gifted individually in many different ways. One of my students didn't know a word or number in English my first week there. Now he has the highest scores on math tests, and is reading at a level higher than most. Another student was too scared to be partners with anyone during math games. I worked with her for several weeks and was able to see how smart she truly is. In my first grade class, I have a student that reads at levels some of my older students don't quite read at yet. Others can write better than me, and some have beautiful artistic abilities. One little boy would give me a hug every time he was given the chance to. I love him and his hugs. I love my students, and I love Place Bridge Academy. For all of you that came into my life when I walked into that school for the first time on September 10th, thank you. Thank you so much for the incredible experience I had working with each and everyone of you. I love you all and I am going to miss you all dearly.

This is Bouchra! (sorry I don't know why its turned)

In my first grade class: Volonika(left) and Dilson(right)

This is Mrs. Dia