Oh Boy!
I just had to start with that.
The presentation went pretty well. The students on stage did such a great job and were having so much fun. I am so proud of them. It was the first time they had done a school presentation...98% of them the first time to present anything other than giving some speeches. Which, don't get me wrong, is tough to do, but is also much different than presenting theatre. It was so great to have that moment with all the beautiful studnets I have worked with (most of them...more on this later) and to see their shinning faces and imaginations, and how far they have come in 2 months with using their bodies, imaginations, and voices - and to do it 'on stage'.
As far as them being audience members, they are horrible. And the teachers didn't really help either.
So first thing, I had talked the teachers through how to stay with their class of the 2nd to last period - keep them as a group - and that I wanted them to sit with their class - class 1 on the right through class 7 on the left, and some benches for 8 through 10. Well. It was a disaster. All the kids came running to the courtyard - all 280-or-so of them!!!!!!!!!!! WOAH! They were not together as a class at all, and most of the teachers came strolling behind after them. I was appalled and really stressed out. At this point there was 12 minutes before family and/or friends were to show up.
Chaos at its finest ladies and gentlemen.
So I was doing different techniques to try to get them to sit down, at this point just find a seat, and be quiet. I understand: they were so excited. This was something they have never done before, so they don't know what to expect. Also they have never been taught to be a good audience.
Finally Amy came to my rescue to help, then Dipendra, a science teacher, and Mr. Prem the social studies and Nepali teacher. But 4 adults trying to get 280-or-so students to settle down and focus is still really challenging. I was so shocked that the other 6 or so teachers were just standing there, even after I asked for help. And Mr. Patel. Oh, Douch Bag Patel. He was sitting, no lounging really, on the side of the stage, facing the audience - where he can shine in his illuminous glory - smirking. I actually saw the asshole smirking. Can you believe that? He has no real authority at the school, he is never there and has probably never seen all of 'his' students before, so I understand why he didn't help.
He never does anything so why should he start to help now?!?
So we finally get them settled, but at this point all the students are sitting on the benches, where the family/friends are to sit...so, we had to move them once they were calm...another disaster. It's 3:45 by the time they are where they were to be in the begining. 15 minutes after family/friends were to come in and we were to start. Fffffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww! It took about a 1/2 an hour to do it, but we did it.
I told them that if they wanted to present with their class they had to be a good and respectful audience member, or they would have to back to their classroom. I hate making threats like that, but it worked - for about 2 seconds.
I started with class one and just went straight up the class order. (For more information on what they are presenting, please refer to the 'school-eschool' post : ) )
Like I said, they have never been taught to be a good audience. They all passed in the presenting department, but in the audience department all but 3 students would have failed.
Failed hard.
If I were to keep to the original 'threat' I made, there would have been 3 from different classes to perform. So, that went straight through the shitter.
That part was really disappointing, especially since there were only 4 of us doing anything about it.
And the illuminous Mr. Douch Bag did not set a good example. He was talking on his cell phone durning class 9's presentation. Right were he is as clear as day to all of the students, teachers, family and friends. Just ridiculous this man is. I will say that this event absolutly took away any ounce or inkling of reserve I had left for him. I have not passionatly disliked anyone as much as him since Treez-to-the-top. For those of you who have heard about Treez, you know that is a tough act to follow...I think Mr. Douch might actually surpass that disgust and dislike I had for Treez.
I am still very proud of my students. It is just unfortunate that they are not taught, or shown examples of, how to be a respectful audience member. I think maybe some of them learned about it though - by being on stage when the audience is being so loud you know they can not possibly be hearing a thing you are saying. Hopefully they will see that it is important to be quiet and attentive.
So, about my, '(more on this later)'.
I was supposed to meet class 10 during the begining of tiffen (break) time...they all knew about it. I go to their class, and only one sweet student, Manju, is there. I could tell something was wrong.
I go search for the rest of the students (there were only 8 in class- all week their were 7 or 8 students, which is so strange because exams are this coming week) and find them all nearly hiding from me; so I call after them and they come to class.
It was so clear that something was wrong. I just flat out asked, "What is going on?! Do you not want to do this?" One of the too cool kids, Samir, says "No, Miss." I asked, "do you all feel this way?" No anwser. So I said, "I am not forcing you to present, I thought you wanted to do this because you all told me before that you wanted to perform...so if you really don't want to present today [at this point it is 2 hours away] then you can just leave the classroom."
The 3 too cool kids left.
Biswash kept looking at me and them, me and them, and pushed by peer pressure, he left.
I was there with 4 students, one boy and three girls. I couldn't help but feel really hurt that they actually walked out. It's hard when you have come to know these students and they started letting me in, but they still left - not only me, but their peers.
And then I felt bad and some how a tad guilty towards the ones who stayed.
I asked them if they wanted to present, they didn't want to if it was just the 4 of them.
Shitty.
So, I sent them back to class and at this point I am in tears.
To cut the story short, the 4 plus Biswash (yeah-screw peer pressure!!!!) ended up doing a scene with class 9. I am glad that it worked out for them to present something.
Man, being too cool must suck.
That was my exciting and jampacked day yesterday. At least it didn't rain. At least there are 280-or-so minus 3 students who wanted to be there and had a chance to do something very new to them...and they did so well up there.
I decided that I want to teach one more class to each grade - maybe combine 9 and some peeches from 10 - in the end of November when TJ and I are back in Kathmandu before we fly to India.
I just couldn't bear to say good-bye today.
Friday, September 19, 2008
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3 comments:
oh jessika, i have tears,
1.douche-bag needs to go away...to surpass treez is quite the accomplishment....wow
2. fear does f*#@!ed up things to a person..i don't care who you are...you KNOW the too coolness had NOTHING to do with you
3. i am sooooo proud of you...so proud that i am bursting with tears
4. an audience like that is 2 theatrical nightmare...you went thru the worst...and out the other side
I Love You and Miss your energy...NOT ONE person there knows how much of a blessing you are more than I, muah
Mom
THANKS MOM!
Jessika McClintock!! I finally found your blog! Can I...be you? What an adventure! We WILL play when you come back to Boise!
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