Reflections On My First Week Back

After an emotional departure from Old Lyme a little over a week ago, driving down our dirt road last Thursday evening, and returning to Kahmlushwa felt more like home than I honestly expected it to.  Upon arrival, I learned that I was being greeted by a community-wide power outage, which was less than invigorating after nearly 48 hours of traveling.  However, my spirits were immediately lifted when I walked into the education center and saw the smiling faces of two of my favorite Imagine Scholar boys, Ncamiso and Simphiwe.

The next morning, after meeting with some of the other facilitators, I again felt overwhelmed by the role I've taken on with Imagine Scholar, and the impending task of teaching a group of high school students how to critically read and write.  Regardless of the transition period I have before I take the classroom on by myself, I couldn't begin to wrap my head around the idea of this massive responsibility.

As two o'clock rolled around and students began to trickle into the education center, my self-doubts and worrying was washed away.  Familiar faces of the students I tearfully said goodbye to last year ran over to me for big hugs, smiles and giggles as we reunited.  Over the course of the afternoon as more and more students arrived, I rejoiced with the grade 10s and 11s about the excitement of my return to Imagine Scholar.  I also had the great pleasure of meeting the grade 9s, who although timid, I immediately felt a connection to their enthusiasm.

As class began and the excitement settled, I was reminded why I love this place so much and was so eager to return.  The genuine and passionate nature of the students, their eagerness to learn and grow as young scholars, their dedication to each other and the community that has evolved within the gates of Imagine Scholar, and the warm hugs and smiles at the beginning and end of everyday as the students come and go.  I love that the students have the ability to inspire and motivate me every single day to demonstrate the dedication and passion for education that each and every one of them embodies.  Without even realizing, these students push me to be the best that I can possibly be as both an educator and a learner, while leaving space and not only accepting but encouraging failure as a natural and important part of these processes.

I feel very lucky to be a part of such a unique environment of young people, helping and motivating on both individual and community levels to learn something new everyday.  Here marks the beginning of my year and half journey with Imagine Scholar.