I spent 5 hours today volunteering at a one-day-only set-up of the Mexican Embassy in West Michigan. The Embassy employees come here once a year to help Mexican citizens update their papers, without having to make the trip to Detroit. Having lived overseas for many years, I've definitely had my share of visits to government offices to get papers in order. It is not always the most pleasant experience. It can be so intimidating to approach those government workers behind desks, in little rooms crowded with people, and await their response to your requests. My husband, Dale, deserves all the credit for making this experience as positive as possible for our family. He always checked ahead of time to find out what papers, stamps, letters, money, etc. would be needed. He would even make preliminary visits, if that was acceptable, to start the process. But inevitably we would all need to show up one day to complete the process. That's when the "fun" would begin. Again, I credit Dale with the ability to face these challenging visits with such patience. I remember one day when Dale had to ask me to wait outside while he finished up the process, as I had become so frustrated that I offended the government official-----and that's not what you want to do when you're depending on them for your papers!
However, today for the first time, I was standing behind the government workers, able to see the facial expressions and body language of each citizen who approached with their requests. (My job was to make photocopies of paperwork that the people needed to complete the process.) Over the 5 hours, I learned the officials' names, and had opportunity for a little conversation. They were nice people. They treated each applicant with great respect. They got tired & thirsty, but my observation was that they patiently listened to peoples' stories, questions and requests, and did their best to fulfill the citizens's requests.
I had a change of perspective today. I got just a small taste of what it is like to be behind the government desk, facing hundreds of peoples requests. Instead of seeing the backs of applicants while I waited in line, I saw their faces as each one approached the tables of officials. Some were shy, some were nervous, some were very happy to have been saved a long drive to Detroit and the time off work that that would entail. Everybody had their own unique story, yet everyone came for the same reason---to get their papers updated.
I've had opportunity to change my perspective in the classroom this year as well. I'm privileged once again to mentor a student teacher this semester, and that necessarily involves many hours of modeling, teaching, releasing my teaching time to the student teacher, and then observing her as she assumes the leading role of Teacher. I love passing on my passion for Immersion education, the Spanish language, and the building of my relationships with impressionable first graders and their families. What changes my perspective? As I watch my student teacher work so hard to follow my suggestions, it's almost like watching a video taping of myself! I love seeing her be successful with proven techniques, but I also get the chance to see where I need to improve or clarify my teaching strategies. I also enjoy seeing these young teachers add their own personality and ideas to the classroom. I am inspired by what they bring to the classroom as well. I get to see myself from their perspective!
My perspective also changes as I'm able to walk around the room, observing students up close. I get to see the classroom from their vantage point, and that helps me plan better for class activities. I get to hear more of their casual conversation, and it helps me understand their struggles, humor, and friendships. And I get to see how hard or easy it is to sit still for the instructional time. If I'm having trouble staying seated & still, they will definitely need more "wiggle time"! I get to see 1st grade from my students' perspective!
Perspective...what a difference it can make! Do you need a new perspective? What can you do to get that new perspective? Take the risk! It's a valuable experience.
Just as a little P.S., enjoy this link to Erika de la Vega, a comedian/talk show host from Venezuela. She speaks here about visiting the government offices. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erp6sIqxJ_0
~Sheryl René
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