BY AALIYAH HANEY
Being in Peru grew my passion for learning about and teaching diverse students. As a future educator, I wanted to gain insight on culturally responsive teaching strategies and observe how to support students while maintaining high expectations. On day eight, our group had the opportunity to visit a primary school is Cusco called "Institución Educativa Inicial N° 417 San Borja.” This school serves students from three to five years old. When we arrived, there was a wall painted with "Bienvenidos," which translates in
English to "Welcome." The staff greeted us at the entrance of their school and were so grateful that we donated games. All of the students wore uniforms that were navy and red in color with their names on them. We visited the three-year-olds first, then the four- and five-year-olds. Each time we stepped into the classrooms, the students became so excited and hugged us.
In the classrooms, our group got to watch students perform dances and sing music, such as "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." They gifted us a leather wallet with a guinea pig keychain, since it is a delicacy in Peru. Some of the students were dressed in traditional Peruvian clothing. As we transitioned to different classrooms, the students ran up to us and asked us what our names were with an English song. By the time we finished our experience with teachers and students, they came to each of us and kissed our cheeks. After boarding the bus again, I felt so inspired to teach abroad and it reminded me of my "why" for going into the field of education. The students were so sweet towards us and the teachers included us in their lesson plans for the morning. Overall, the primary school was the highlight for me because it related to my career choice and it is nice to look at the world from a child's perspective.
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