Lotus Flower: http://ezinearticles.com/?The end of the year has come and gone. School let out on Friday, May 15. I am heading "home" to Anchorage in a couple more days and it is time to reflect before I head out on my summer journey.
I have to start by saying that I truly had a great first year of teaching! I was fortunate to have a wonderful aide who became my friend, a great group of students, and many supportive parents. And there a quite a few things that I learned about myself as a teacher. This first year has allowed me to see my strengths and weaknesses- both of which I value.
This was also a great first year in Chevak. I met so many wonderful people and have so many wonderful memories. Some of my favorites are taking steams with Lena and Carrie, catching a devil fish while manaqing, falling in a slough while playing the states game with Jaden, yuraqing, purchasing beautiful dolls from Dorothy Nayamin, seal hunting, eating seal liver, going by snowgo to Scammon Bay to watch a ball game, and the many dinner and game nights with other teachers... these are just a few.
Of all the things that I learned and experienced throughout the year, I would have to say that my greatest new learning or aha is my new persepctive of community. We were unfortunate in that there were eight deaths in Chevak since the start of school in August. We lost elders, a teacher, and even students. There is something to be said about the mourning process in this village. I wish that I was able to capture just exactly what I mean, but it is really something that I can't quite put into words alone. I feel so fortunate that I have been able to not only observe, but also be a part of this community and their traditions.
Not too long ago a local group of dancers performed for the Commisioner of Ed when he visited Chevak. As I watched this particular group of men and women, I looked at each of their faces and I recalled the tragedies that many of them had faced in the last year. It broke my heart to recall the deaths that took place, and at the same time, seeing their family members yuraqing gave my heart such a joy and peace. The reason for this is that these people have so much strength. Through their culture and their community they have built a support system that one cannot just recreate.
My day to day life is constantly driven by the hardships that I went through. Not that I wallow in them, but that I make almost all of my decisions based on the mantra that "life is too short, we are only here for a time, and we have the power to live happy." I am often reminded of the losses that I took over the last couple of years, and as I look at the Cup'ik people, I think "Wow, they know how to grieve and they know how to support one another." One would not know this at first glance, but instead one would have to embrace their culture and step into it in order to see this. And, it is a remarkable thing to see and to be a part of.
I am so thankful for the experiences that I have had in my first year of teaching and so many of them wouldn't have happened if I was still living in the city. I feel that I am gaining a rich knowledge from this whole "experience" if you will, for lack of a better term.
But, this is not just an experience. This is my life. I live in an Eskimo village of about 1,ooo people; 300 or so being students at the K-12 school. There are about three trucks here, but the primary form of transportation are snowgos and hondas (snowmachines and four-wheelers). There are three main stores, a clinic, a postoffice, and two churches. If there is a medical emergency, one would have to get medevaced to Bethel or Anchorage for treatment. Some days we do not have planes come in at all due to weather, which also means no mail. In order to dispose of our trash we drive to the dump and light it on fire. Everywhere you go, everyone knows who you are and they all say hello... and they call you by your name. If they don't know you, they will ask you who you are and where you are from.
As I have said to many of my friends and family, teaching in Chevak for my first year has been the best decision for me both personally and professionally. I wouldn't trade this for the world. I love that Chevak will always be part of my life, part of my story. If you hadn't figured it out by now, I am returning for my second year in the fall. I don't for certain know how long I will stay, but I know that Chevak will always hold a special place in my heart. I will head "home" in a few days and I will spend a few weeks there before traveling to Thailand for the summer where I will gain a whole new set of learnings, memories, and experiences.
This really is a great life; I am enjoying the journeys.
Warm Regards, Misty
