Week 5- Shuttlebus Lines, Classes Begin, and Planning Adventures

Feb (that is how people refer to February here in SA) 3- I was able to get some work on my presentation for critically observing teaching and classroom management for the 3^rd year students. In their teaching program at UJ, they have created a program where teachers get into the classroom progressively more each year. The first year students observe classes at the primary school that is connected with the university (called Funda Ujabule), second year preservice teachers observe and teach at Funda Ujabule, and the third year students teach at Funda Ujabule and out in the community. The teachers are being asked to begin with observations and in the next few months, they will increase the teaching lessons. The workshop I am giving is to support their critical thinking and journal writing about their school visits. 

Art under an freeway in the CBD

On the rooftop with Michelle and Edward
before the movie.

Later that afternoon, I went to listen to salsa downtown, however, we got there a bit late so the plan changed to enjoying a refreshing drink at a rooftop club followed by a documentary called, Jiro. Jiro is a Michelin Star sushi chef in Japan and he has perfected sushi. The dinners cost around $300 and include many rounds of just sushi. Jiro is 85 years old, has two sons, and doesn’t plan on retiring any time soon. 

February 4- Today was the first day of classes and the line for the shuttle was much longer. It took a few hours to get on a shuttle to campus and over an hour of waiting in line to get a shuttle to return home. I met a girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She told me about how proud her family was that she is attending school but that she is lonely living with her “sister” who is also away from her family. She travels about an hour on the mini-buses to get to the APK campus shuttle. She said she cried for the first 6 months she was here and lost a lot of weight because she was so sad she wasn’t doing well because her English is not very good. I recommended she tried to get into a study group where she could work with other people at improving her English and maybe they would read her papers before she turned them in. I also told her about the writing center.

February 5- This morning, there was an article in the paper on the primary school condom program. They were discussing the rate of pregnancy and the issue of youth not being informed about sex at home.

Rape has been a topic of discussion here in South Africa with the case going on in Cape Town. On February 1^st, a 17-year old girl was gang raped and died shortly after. This case (along with the international media of the gang rape in India) have brought public protest and increased media coverage on the tv, newspapers, and radio stations. One report said there is a rape every 5 seconds in South Africa. There was another article suggesting the country should make it attempted murder if the rapist has HIV or AIDS. Men were calling up the radio and discussing how they were raped as children and adults and the authorities and families didn’t take it seriously.

On a lighter note, I was able to interview three more faculty members about inclusive practices. It is refreshing to hear the interest in learning strategies for working with diverse learners. I am excited for the textbooks to arrive at the Embassy and begin sharing materials. Also, on the shuttle on the way home I met Ntswaki, a student who also missed her first class because of the shuttle lines. She lives about an hour east of the APK campus and got up at 5am to catch minibuses to get to the shuttle. She also told me that she is working on her degree in business management so that some day she can have her own home. She lives in a 3 room house (kitchen, bedroom, and main room) with 5 family members. I asked her about a bathroom, she said there isn't one and that she hates to shower in the kitchen with the family there but she is working hard and will do well in business. I asked her if it was government housing or if they built it themselves, she said government housing but it was old.

February 6- The line at the shuttle was even longer today and most of these students were again late or missed their first class. I told the Dean’s secretary and she asked me to send her an email about the issue. I won’t bore you with the details of the email, but I did my best to give the university credit for supporting students by offering the service, however, voiced my concern for the multiple buses going to the other campuses and Soweto lines being so long. They responded with saying it was due to budgeting issues (I found out it costs R1,000,000 or $112K to add a bus for one year), which I understand. The part that bothered me a bit was when they said the lines were long because of past students still using their ID to get on buses and students “joy riding” between campuses. I can’t imagine waiting in line for 1.5-2 hours to “joy ride” but maybe that is just me. They said they were going to have another meeting with the SRC president and other transportation heads to discuss the issue soon. I thanked them for their diligence and effort around this issue.

On the right is the line at 7:25am...on the left is the back of the line rushing the bus. The girl in front of me didn't get on the bus when it arrived due to the commotion. She missed her classes...certainly that has to be worth educational costs?

 

February 7- Today, the newspaper reported that SA is getting close to the USA in their issues with obesity. There was also an article on teaching being an “essential service” which would make it illegal for teachers to strike. Their argument is the educational system is struggling (they just changed the pass matric/high school pass rate to 39%, then publicized an increase of students passing matric) and when teachers are not at work, students are missing out on their education. The unions are of course against this...but there is power in politics.

 

I had scheduled interviews and a school visit for today but found out I need to get permission from the Gauteng Education Department to go into schools and from the Ethics board at UJ to work with their students. I filed both documents today…basically, mini-Institutional Review Board applications.

For dinner, Ronnel and her boyfriend picked me up and took me to sushi in Melville. There are both in retail (upper management) and new to the area. It was nice to step outside of the education box for the night.

February 8- I picked up the car I will be borrowing this month. I have waited until I felt more comfortable with the driving on the left side of the road…as you can imagine, the rear view mirror is on the other side too. I am happy the car is an automatic and there is a GPS inside so I don’t have cognitive overload while driving. In the morning, I met a lecturer who is working at training teachers and schools in inclusive practices. We got to talking and the interview could have taken hours except I had to get to the university to teach the class on how to write a five chapter research paper (basically a mini-thesis).  

After work, I ventured to the Cresta shopping mall and picked up my tickets to the Africa Cup soccer game at the grocery store. I got home just before the hail storm started. Later on, Agata and I went to a restaurant and had a gluttonous meal. I fell into bed that night.

Steak with bacon and blue
cheese on top...over mashed
potatoes!

looks like snow

 

February 9- I was able to observe/audit an honor’s class on inclusive education today. The professor introduced the topic with stories of his personal journey in education and the successes he has had over the years. He questioned the students on inclusive practices, special education labels, and why we need to support diverse learners. I spoke about the difference between the US and SA special education practices.

After the class, I drove to a luncheon being held for Edwige and Mas. The same group (with a few additions) from the party they hosted for me when I first arrived was there. The women sat together telling stories and laughing. By the end of the night, we decided to try to plan a trip to Kruger, Mozambique, Soweto Tour, and a girls' night. I hope a few of these trips come to fruition. Sitting in the room with these ladies, I felt blessed and surrounded with amazing energy. Another great week in Jo’Burg.

A few of the wonderful ladies!