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Get Back Up Again

Just as I felt like my 5th grade class had hit it's stride, we were knocked off our game. As final grades went in the system for the first quarter, votes were being tallied for the Presidential Election here in Bolivia. And while my students were all very aware of what their report cards would show, I don't think any of us were prepared for the outcome of the General Election. Sure, we were all expecting change (or at least hoping for it) but none of us were at school on Monday the 21st thinking, we might not be back for weeks or months.

We had no way of knowing that when we said goodbye on Monday the way we do school (or life, for that matter) would be completely different come Tuesday. You see on Tuesday life here in Bolivia came to a screeching halt as Bolivian people from all over the country called, "fraud!" Blockades were set up at every major intersection and the people hit the streets to demand democracy! Businesses closed up, transportation stood still and yes schools were cancelled. But, even still we weren't really sure what was going to happen next. As the days unfolded it became clear that neither side would be backing down anytime soon.

It also was evident that kids would still need to be taught, but that having school was out of the question. So, we did what good teachers do, we quickly learned how to run online courses over various platforms; mostly WhatsApp and Google Classroom.  Then we taught our students and their parents how these new formats would work. Keeping in mind that we live in a country that is renowned for poor internet speed on the best of days, and that not everyone has access to computers, printers or school supplies.

Here is what is amazing, we are doing it. In a matter of just a few days we took a pre-k through 12th grade school compleatly digital. We as teacher's had the support from our administration and the help of parents to get things up and running as smooth as possible. But it is really the students who should be commended. They have quickly adapted to all the changes in the world around them as well as doing all their school work at home!

Today, 10 days since the protests began my 5th graders turned in beautiful collages depicting the beauty and diversity of Latin America for a Social Studies project. I couldn't be prouder of all their hard work and creativity despite the challenges we are facing here in Bolivia.

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