Linda Continues to Assist with Training

Pictures: The first is of Linda’s counterpart Metanet (right) and her sister. As they traveled to Jeyranbatan, Linda and Metanet stopped in Baku at Metanet’s sister’s apartment for lunch. Linda felt it was a great honor to be invited and that Metanet wants Linda to meet her entire family.
This year is the “Year of the Child”, “Ushaq Ili”, and a program was presented in the Library. The Library Director welcomes everyone to the program. The program consisted of readings, drama, activities, and awards.

Linda was busy again this week. She and her counterpart traveled to the village of Jeyranbatan. They presented two sessions on working with a counterpart in Azerbaijan schools. Linda has established a very good relationship with her counterpart, and has changed her secondary counterpart for this school year. Linda provided excellent realistic experiences and techniques.
When we made our first visit to Shirvan last year Linda took pictures of all the English language teachers. Then at Christmas time Linda made cards for each teacher with a copy of the picture on it. Linda explained the tradition of Christmas cards while presenting a photo to each teacher. Photos are treasured here and deeply appreciated.
Linda established a monthly meeting with the Director of the school to make sure he was aware of everything she was doing. Her reports to the Director provide an opportunity to establish trust and support for her work here. It seems like obvious techniques, but the majority of TEFL volunteers do not have teaching experience before coming to the Peace Corps.
Counterparts are one of the keys to a successful Peace Corps experience. A good counterpart makes the difficulties in language and culture easier to overcome. A bad counterpart or a bad relationship with a good counterpart can increase the level of the barriers. Linda’s counterpart helps her with the meetings with the Director, Conversation Clubs, shopping, and friendship.
Linda and Metanet presented and answered many excellent questions from the Trainees. There is a large group this year and were divided into 2 groups. The first group were experienced teachers and the second group had no teaching experience. The first group responded exceptionally well, were tuned in and had some of those excellent questions. The second group was less disciplined and took awhile to get onboard, but in the end responded with good questions.
Like having any large group of people, there are those who understand and behave appropriately. Appropriate dress for the teacher is of utmost importance in Azerbaijan. People are first judged upon their appearance. After trust and confidence is built, then more casual dress may be more acceptable, or maybe not. Appropriate attire demonstrates respect for the culture in which we live. It seems simple, but no matter how many times it is repeated, some Volunteers may not understand its importance.

When Linda returned to her classroom on Thursday, after almost 2 weeks absence due to training future Volunteers, she received a standing ovation from class 9C. It warmed Linda’s heart! The children and staff here truly appreciate Mrs. Linda. Every week there seems to be something like the ovation that gives us inspiration.

For me, this week had me contemplating whether or not one could die from an overdose of Pepto Bismal. I missed three days at the library and when Linda returned on Tuesday evening was more of a burden to her than a helpmate. I am slowly gaining my strength back, and completed a day of work on Friday. Some days the most inspirational events are a bowl of soup and Sprite.