Goodbye.

My time in Russian Mission has come to an end. It is easy for me to say that I will miss the students that I have so quickly come to know over the past week. I had no idea what to expect during my visit; I was sure that I would have an interesting experience, but I could never have expected such a warm and accepting community that would make my stay so memorable.

The night before I was to leave, I strolled on down to the city-gym to check out the basketball scene that is such a big part of the community. A large portion of the students and parents gather at the city-gym to play and watch daily. I was amazed at the atmosphere of the gym. Aside from the very structured yet open shooting during non-game time, two games were played between players who earned their spot by shooting, and making, a free-throw. There wasn't any griping or complaining amongst the people who failed to get on a team. That was interesting enough, but the truly amazing part occurred during play. When a ball was called out, or a player was called for traveling, their wasn't a hint of argument and the call was trusted and accepted. It was amazing how well the players got along. Their passion for the sport was easily apparent in the exceptional ability displayed, but their sense of community managed to curb the frustration that so often occurs amongst passionate players who make mistakes.

If you want to teach in a village, then you must prepare to become an integral part of a community. The living quarters in a village are much too crunched for the societal recluse to maintain his/her anonymity. Village life is a different but valuable experience that most of us see only on television. We all have seen the shows where everyone in town knows each other, but in the village this actually happens. I have never felt such a sense of inclusion. By the last day of my visit, their were elementary children that I hadn't yet met who were saying "hi Jimie" as they walked by. The students in the picture of this post were two of many students who wanted to visit with Erika and I after school to say goodbye. They made it very obvious that they were as sad as we were to be parting after such a short time. I don't know if I have ever felt so appreciated. 

Wrapping up.

This road travelled is about to end. 

The upper buildings in this picture are the schools. The secondary school is on the left and the elementary school is on the right. 

This is the lower portion of RM known as "Downtown." 

Across the frozen Yukon, the village of RM dots the hillside.

Students in action.

This student is practicing an event for the NYO (Native Youth Olympics). Kyle is in mid-flight while attempting to hit a hanging tennis ball with a two-leg jump kick.

This might be a success story. The student that I am standing next to wanted to sleep through class when we first met on Monday. On St. Patrick's day, rather than pinching me, he snuck by me in the office to give my belly a comical pat. He doesn't seem to have trouble staying awake in class anymore.

Below is a student practicing for another event in the NYO called the seal-hop. It looks painful. Wassily is hopping across the floor with only his palms (fingers folded under at the second knuckle from the tip of the finger) and toes.

Snow machine adventure.

Today after school we were invited to go on a snow machine adventure. Judy and David, two of the teachers at RM, were very kind in offering us a ride up river. 

Village life in the winter may seem dismal and claustrophobic to some, but with warm clothes and a sense of adventure its easy to realize that this life offers its own unique brand of freedom.  

The Yukon at RM.

Boats are buried in the snow on the banks of the Yukon and it is just their engines that serve as beacons to their presence.

Standing on the frozen river, halfway between the banks, we speak of dairy products as I push the button on my picture device. 

We are the champions.

It was another interesting day of instruction. It is pretty certain that the math instructor who left the day before we got here has jumped ship. The students and staff have made it known in more than one way that Erika and I are a breath of fresh air when compared to the last instructor. It saddens and angers me a bit that someone would leave these kids in such a predicament. 

It only took about half of the first day for the kids to start to open up to us and now it is pretty much like teaching students anywhere else. There are some minor cultural differences in the classroom, but the only real difference is the struggle to teach to students at vastly different levels of understanding/progress during the same period of instruction. Erika and I both agree, however, that it is possible, and there just needs to be a system. If we had more time we could do it.

I feel bad to be leaving these students after our week is up. Today it seemed like the word had spread that new math teachers were on the scene and because of this we ended up with some new faces, one of these faces hadn't been to school in over a week. We've been asked by several students if we are finishing the year here and we do our best to explain the situation.

The first night in RM.

We see a small mountain and Erika questions me about my idea to climb it. Once we reach the top and the children there start to warm up to us, we realize that it was worth it. Gravel can be interesting if you have the right company. Just below us we can see the vast and frozen Yukon. Before the end of the day, we decide to hike up the large hill behind the village and take a look. The village looks blue now that the sun has gone down.