This has been a week of wonders! One of the 5 students in the Beca Blanca scholarship program tested last month to enter UABC Ensenada's translation
program and she passed her English portion of the college entrance exam! There was a written and an oral test.
Every word she knows, I taught her. I am so proud SO VERY PROUD of her and I feel like this has to be one of the highlights of my teaching career.
Here is a photo of Karime, her mom and I the day she found out she had been accepted:
[Edited on 7-21-2017 by BajaBlanca]
[Edited on 7-21-2017 by BajaBlanca]
[Edited on 7-29-2017 by BajaBlanca]
[Edited on 8-2-2017 by BajaBlanca]
[Edited on 8-5-2017 by BajaBlanca]BajaBlanca - 7-16-2017 at 08:37 PM
The second highlight came when I went to the middle school graduation and was honored with a certificate of gratitude for the last 6 years teaching
there!
Huge applause from students/parents and then a cake and drinks at our local beach restaurant with the principal, vice principal and other educational
peeps who came for the ceremony. This is my last year officially teaching, I will continue giving English classes in the afternoons to any student
interested but decided to officially RETIRE for many reasons (health, travel) - I did a teaching "album" on facebook covering my almost 40 years of
teaching. It doesn't include my years here in La Bocana. That will be a separate album.
and the third highlight is that all 5 of my group this year got into the college of their choice.
gimme 5 everyone - yowwwwwwwwwwwwza
jbcoug - 7-16-2017 at 09:50 PM
Blanca, you know so many of us are so proud of your accomplishments as a teacher and mentor! A value cannot be placed on your value to your community!
That said, you failed to recognize an individual in your picture, my friend Rex!BajaBlanca - 7-16-2017 at 10:10 PM
lencho - let me try to explain my reality here! I have been given no teaching material by the schools. I got a set of great reading books that Curt
Z. gave me for my more advanced 9th graders, that's it. So, basically I have taught 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th and 12th grades (my scholarship group)
with material yours truly created. Material I collected over the years. A manual I invented for 7th 8th 9th graders and left with the school. It was
so hard, I can't tell you how hard. So Karime's getting accepted into college and passing the English test - Ohhh lala Caramba ... It really is a
little miracle )))
JB - he kind of snuck in there, didn't he hahahaha
shari - 7-17-2017 at 06:41 AM
High 5 to you amiga...you, your students and their parents are all winners...well done and now enjoy your retirement....again!BajaBlanca - 7-17-2017 at 07:15 AM
You all made me smile REAL big KurtG - 7-17-2017 at 08:56 AM
Congratulations!!! Your incredible dedication has changed many kids lives for the better.aguachico - 7-17-2017 at 09:16 AM
Wow! congrats Blanca. elgatoloco - 7-17-2017 at 09:17 AM
You are one of the reasons I ever come here anymore. You make me smile.MMc - 7-17-2017 at 12:45 PM
Blanca, good on you. You has made a huge difference in that little town and those that live there.BajaKeela - 7-17-2017 at 02:12 PM
BajaBlanca
The world is a better place because your in it. EngineerMike - 7-17-2017 at 02:53 PM
One of the best stories on teaching I ever heard was a caller on a talk show. He was in a hurry so he hired two carpentry crews to frame the roof of
a large custom home w/a complicated roof, one local crew of high school graduates and one Amish crew from the next county.
The Amish crew showed up on a trailer pulled by horses, the local crew in their pickups. Everyone agreed the roof was a complicated project. The
local crew scratched their heads as to how to cut the complicated angles and didn't know where to start. The Amish crew leader had the high school
aged boys set up a table w/the plans and make a list of the cuts required; the boys broke out a book of trigonometry tables and their trusty
Pythagorean theorem which they all knew by the end of their 8th and final year of school (taught all 8 years by teachers w/8th grade educations). The
Amish men set up cutting stations, tools, etc., went to work and finished the roof. The locals scratched their heads.
Great teachers set high expectations then provide the leadership for kids to meet those expectations. I love it when I see it.
Thanks Blanca!BajaBlanca - 7-17-2017 at 03:37 PM
Cliffy - 7-17-2017 at 06:58 PM
As said, it is all about the teacher! You did well!!!!!!!!
Both my sons teach and both do very well at it. Real interest in their students.
Teachers make all the difference in the world. But it does help to be dedicated- just look to the girl who would be a brain surgeon !
Engineer Mike- Its been a long time- I hope you and yours are doing well! BajaBlanca - 7-21-2017 at 12:38 PM
Well, you surely can't win them all.
Adriana, who was going to major in Psychology, came by to tell me that she is pregnant.
Can you believe it? So many warnings to be careful but she didn't listen. All the kids know that if they get pregnant or get someone pregnant, they
are disqualified from the scholarship program that very second.
The ramifications for her are huge and for the boyfriend as well. I did wish her luck....and that is the end of that.
woody with a view - 7-21-2017 at 03:14 PM
Nice!BajaBill74 - 7-21-2017 at 07:02 PM
I saw a Peanuts cartoon an Facebook today.
Peppermint Patty said "I wonder what teachers make."
Charlie said "A difference, Peppermint Patty, a difference."
You have done that!wilderone - 7-22-2017 at 09:28 AM
Blanca - you truly make a difference in a very big way. So glad for your and your students' successes.
Re: "... with material yours truly created. Material I collected over the years. A manual I invented"
I see all types of workbooks, teacher guides all the time. What would help you? What can I look for? Mexitron - 7-22-2017 at 09:34 AM
Fantastic Blanca!!!
[Edited on 7-22-2017 by Mexitron]elgatoloco - 7-22-2017 at 01:41 PM
Adriana, who was going to major in Psychology, came by to tell me that she is pregnant.
Can you believe it? So many warnings to be careful but she didn't listen. All the kids know that if they get pregnant or get someone pregnant, they
are disqualified from the scholarship program that very second.
The ramifications for her are huge and for the boyfriend as well. I did wish her luck....and that is the end of that.
Sad to hear that the young lady will not be able to take advantage of the scholarship program. Hope that things turn out ok for her in the long run.
You did what you could. BajaBlanca - 7-23-2017 at 08:10 AM
wilderone - I retired! Over and done with official teaching but I told ALL the students that they could come any day, any time and have free English
classes with me and two have been coming for the last two weeks. I told them that they will be successes in Life because they are already a success
by coming to class over summer vacation.
After the first day, I gave them a Frisbee - and these kids are naturals!
Adriana - such a sad outcome to what could have been a real change in her life. I blame her bfriend Alvaro as much as her. I have not heard how they
plan to handle this as he is off to college as well, to the mainland as his family can afford to pay for expenses anywhere he chose.
BajaBlanca - 7-29-2017 at 01:34 PM
Here is Alfonso (known as Poncho) who was my student in high school in 2012. One day, he and another high school senior stop by and upon chatting, I
find out that the both of them dropped out of school. Alfonso's dad is an alcoholic construction worker, could really care less whether Alfonso goes
to school or not but I am really disturbed that they are not going to school.
A couple days later, on a Wednesday afternoon, they are sitting again and chatting with me on the porch of our B&B. I am so perturbed that they
are "wasting time" on a schoolday, that I suggest that they get jobs at the local fish plant. You have made a choice, by not going to school and onto
college. You might as well start acting on that choice right away and at least have some cash in your pocket.
Cash in pocket did the trick. They indeed went to the cooperative and were hired. About 2 weeks later they come by, sit on the porch, and ask if I
can help them get back into school. One looked me in the eye and said "I will never step into that freezer again!" It was hotter than heck that summer
and they were working in the freezer with huge jackets, cleaning it out. Here at the plant, you start out at the bottom of the ladder - cleaning out
stinky freezers!
The photo here is Alfonso, who came to visit me the other day. He is now a senior in college, about to finish up his last year. He belongs to the
very first group of students whom we sponsored to head off to college. He is studying International Business in La Paz.
Alfonso made the mistake of leaving English to the last minute (senior year) and now he doesn't remember much and won't graduate unless he can pass
all the different levels. With sponsorship (thank you Dave) , we put him in a private school and there went his summer vacation. When he said he had a
week off and was coming to La Bocana, I asked him to come over for me to verify that our money was being well spent.
It was! It is! He gets it now. So pleased with his progress! Notice in the photo that he has a new notebook in hand, we had 3 days of classes and
will continue next week. Then he goes back to La Paz to finish the special English class.
Another great day in La Bocana
BajaBlanca - 7-29-2017 at 02:05 PM
Twice a year, as sponsor manager for the students, I have a double whammy - tuitions and rent/utitilities/transporation monies have to come in and be
disbursed to each student. At 19 full time 100% sponsored students, most with 2 different sponsors (one for rent and separate one for tuition fees),
this is my Sleepless in La Bocana time!
I am honored to have this project, I truly feel that the Lord chose me, blessed me! But poor Les can't even talk to me during these 2 weeks I work
on making sure everything is right - All I can do is say when he ventures to ask something is "sorry hon, I am very busy!" My eyes are glazed over.
So, this photo is of our kitchen island -don't ask me why - this is the place where I lay everything out and it becomes off limits for cooking LOL No
matter that I have a huge table and a huge desk in my office. Quirks. The island works miracles.
Fatboy - 7-29-2017 at 08:56 PM
As many have already said, Well done!
Teachers and mentors are what make the world a better place, congratulations on all your successes! surfhat - 7-30-2017 at 10:46 AM
Those who choose to educate our youth deserve special praise. It, obviously, is not for the money.
It stems from a special place within their hearts that drives them to dedicate their lives to others.
Teachers direct the future for all and should be compensated for the true value they provide for future generations to come.
Blanca, I would bet that some of your students will carry on what you have shown them through your selfless efforts. That has to be a reward unto
itself when your former students return to give their lives to others in the same profession.
Good on you Blanca for all you have done for future generations. There should be many teachers to come because of you.
Thanks to all here.
Paco Facullo - 8-1-2017 at 09:28 AM
Congrats to all !
Good people doing good things is what makes life worth living.
Teachers ARE truly special people.BajaTed - 8-1-2017 at 10:12 AM
Blanca,
When you come up north, please consider talking with some of the folks in the Bajamar scholarship fund about the manner they deal with abusive
parental scenarios.
The 48 current students supported have had their share of challenges over the years.
If those in BCN would like to know more, here is the link
I would be happy to talk to your group. Please email me more info about how I might help. I will u2u my email address.
the organizer in La Bocana
BajaBlanca - 8-1-2017 at 06:50 PM
So, my mom is visiting and we are (I mean .... she is) organizing all the clothes shoes household goods that I have bought, she has bought, people
have donated since January.
This is a major project! She is awesome! What would I do without this natural born organizer? We found that we are missing boys shorts small and
medium. boys dress shirts since 3 of them will be entering the work force in July 2018! and sneakers of all sizes for boys and girls.
TMW - 8-2-2017 at 12:53 PM
Blanca you must have gotten your work ethic from your mom. She is a real go getter, collecting all the stuff she sends you.
Again, thanks for all you do.BajaBlanca - 8-2-2017 at 03:05 PM
You are so right. She has been the ideal role model! But her forte is organizing and mine is time management (teachers are real good at that).
She brought up 4 kids on her own when our dad walked out on us. Truly a feat.
Recently, one of her friends from Miami (where we spent many years til we moved to Rio de Janeiro where she is from) told her that at the time she
was fighting to raise us, she thought she was a hero.
She is.
Anyone who has a chance to spend some time with her can consider themselves lucky IMO
Thanks Tom for the kind words.
[Edited on 8-12-2017 by BajaBlanca]ElCap - 8-2-2017 at 09:20 PM
Gracias for all you do Blanca!pappy - 8-3-2017 at 06:57 AM
Do you per chance know Judy Kesson? BajaBlanca - 8-4-2017 at 09:54 PM
No. Should I?
Wishes come true!
BajaBlanca - 8-5-2017 at 09:31 AM
August 5th.....update
God loves me so much and answers most of my prayers really fast but this one took the cake! Remember that the other day I posted about Mom and how
she organized all the clothes shoes dishes for the scholarship xmas party? and how we realized that we were going to need more shorts?
The very next morning, Bruce from Canada arrived with SHORTS that his wife Edna bought! Not only that, Edna also sent baseball equipment. I have
some kids who asked for English classes and are studying with me in the mornings (I guess I kinda fudged on the retirement statement eh?) and I have
given them a reward for being so responsible on their vacation. Yesterday they got a baseball bat each! I thought their eyes would pop out of their
head!
))) 
