Team 212 - August 16, 2009

Thought for the day: Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson

By Jane

Last night a tired group of Global Volunteers met at the airport. We would slowly and surely become a team under the skillful direction of Dorota. We had a very informative tour of Reymontowka, the Manor House and its grounds, to be our home for a week or two. Jean (John) arrived later and the team was complete. A fast-paced table tennis tournament and then off to bed.

Breakfast was a place to start the process of getting to know each other, and then five of us went to Mass in a beautiful, old church, not far away.

At our first formal meeting, everyone contributed their thoughts, histories, and personalities.
From each volunteer’s personal goals, Dorota helped us formulate team goals. They are: To help Polish kids, To think Polish, To leave a positive impression, To learn as well as teach, and to enjoy the experience.

Moving right along, we then came up with the characteristics of an effective team: They are: respect, flexibility, listening, patience, understanding, sense of humor, independency, preparation, communication skills, implementation, helping, assistance, collaboration, sharing of ideas, participation, and receptivity.

We were reminded that each person bring their own skills to our joint effort.
During lunch we had a very practical Polish lesson, and during the lesson-----THE STUDENTS ARRIVED!! The Manor House was infused with energy, laughter and took on a new vibration.
We were then given the location for our supplies which will be invaluable in the planning of our lessons and went to the Tent for introductions. Yes, it’s real! These are our students. Putting myself in their place at their age, introducing myself in a second language----they did a fantastic job.

After this short introduction, the staff was able to separate the students into groups that will be most beneficial to the students and to us who teach.
We then went to the room to compose our very first lesson plan. Dorota had lots of guidance to offer her fledgling teachers, and it was a big help. A very productive day. Off and running!