December Workshopping

I was insanely busy in December coordinating a series of three 5-day workshops, reaching a total of 155 teachers. 

It was a very busy month! Meeting teachers from throughout the country is one of my favorite aspects of my work here. Helping to build teachers' capacities and strengthen their skills is the reason I am here. 

At the end of the month I was exhausted but felt a great sense of achievement. The highlight was seeing many of my former students again. It was wonderful to reconnect with them and hear all about their lives in their villages where they teach. During one of the workshops we wrote haiku poems and at the end of the workshop, one student presented me with a haiku poem that he wrote: 


 The Last Word by deeleeya 


Two other former student shared poems that they wrote for the workshops as well: 
 My Teaching Journey by deeleeya 


 The Poor Teacher by deeleeya 

One teacher wrote this poem as well: 

Acknowledgements

By Ibrahima Khalidou NDiaye

English Teacher in Oualata

Nancy, Merci!

Day after day

For five days

The courageous Mauritanian English teachers

Have gained from your experience

More than one billion skills

To achieve their proud goal.

But what is sad,

Let me tell you

It’s your hand and ours

Will say bye, bye

However,

Don’t worry about

Of course, you’ve left

But never lost

Because you’ve left most

Which will stay on forever

Nancy, thanks!

Nancy, merci!

Delia

Go ahead!

Absolutely useful for Mauritania

Dear colleagues

Try and use

What never wastes the time

Thanks to the Ministry of Education

Hallelujah to the U.S. Embassy

All in all, the workshops provided a meaningful end of a productive year. I hope that I am able to accomplish even more in 2012. I have my work cut out for me!