They are kind, generous, thoughtful, spirited, smart and love learning.
During the earthquake my students remained calm and collected.
Each and every student listened and stayed calm, doing what they have practiced once a month for years. As things were falling out of cabinets, off tables and counters they still remained calm.
Once we evacuated into the 20 degree cold, students were sharing blankets, coats, sweatshirts, scarves, gloves, and cell phones. Even outside, they still remained calm as they contacted loved ones to make sure they were ok and to let them know they were ok as well. We were outside for more than three hours, dealing with aftershocks and waiting for parents to come and pick them up.
Through it all they stayed calm and helped each other giving what was needed- blankets to cell phones to hugs.
My Project
I am an Art and FACS teacher in Eagle River, Alaska. When the 7.0 earthquake hit on 11/30/18 I had students in class and ready to start the day. Instead, we were forced to duck and cover and then evacuate where we waited outside for over three hours in 20 degree weather. Since that day, I was allowed to enter into my building twice for necessary items and personal belongings, assuming I would be able to go back and grab everything at a later date.
We have had thousands of aftershocks (even as I type this we had a 5.0!) resulting in more damage to the building making it inaccessible.
I left behind 20+ years of unit plans, lesson plans, books, videos, handouts, worksheets, examples, supplies and materials for second semester. The paper, pencils, art paste, brushes, etc. will help the students have a class where they will be free to create and learn for a semester.
My school has been relocated to another high school where I am sharing the Art room and Culinary room. Although I have a space, I do not have any teaching supplies/materials to teach second semester.
These materials will help me teach Art and FACS and cultivate perseverance in the face of adversity. I spoke to my students about the Japanese pottery- Kintsugi. The Japanese take broken pottery and patch it back together using resin mixed with gold. The technique enhances and embraces the damage that was caused by showing the viewer the "scars." This is what I want to teach my students- that regardless of what happens in their life- they can put themselves together with beauty and show off their "scars."
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