Rwanda Project is a go!

The Middle School Humanities teacher received my letter on March 8.

On Tues. March 9: I spoke with Mark Overley, owner of Kaladis coffee about possible donations for the project but I wasn't sure about the date yet. He was eager to assist and told me to tell him what I needed and when. I then went to the school and spoke with the Humanities teacher about the possible dates on March 9 and realized the only day that this would be possible was Mon. March 15, but she needed to ok it with the science teacher so that I could have 2x1.5 hour blocks. This would mean having 48 rather than 24 kids. The science teacher approved.

On Thurs. March 11: I received the ok from my Dept.head. I then went to meet with Hadija and informed her of the project and asked if there was anyway that she could pull off speaking with the students on the following Mon. She was beside herself and arranged to have someone cover her class for a bit so that she could speak at Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning.

On Friday March 12: I spoke with Mark Overly again and told him of the rapidity of the project and he said he could have coffee beans and grounds, from Rwanda as well as other places ready for pick up on Sun. I then proceeded to create the PowerPoint for the project and finalize plans for the project.

Sat. March 13: I interviewed a teacher that had some good pointers, as this was my first time teaching an Art Education lesson plan, he gave some good pointers and tips. I then went to the the art supply store.

Sun. March 14: I went to another art supply store, finalized the PowerPoint, picked up the coffee. That night I slept for about an hour as I was going through the details of Mon. step by step and resolving as many unresolved details that I had not thought of previously. Then my son was up sick for a good portion of the night.

Mon March 15: I met with my instructor, Rachel Delaney and made a few adjustments to the plan. Drank 2 shots of Espresso and a Chai tea and then I went to RMSEL. I arrived at RMSEL around 10:40ish and set up the materials for the day with another of my instructors, Erika, that is involved in this class. She helped tremendously with the set up. A friend that has a student in this class, who used to be an Art teacher as well also showed up to assist me. Thank you to these two as well as the two hosting teachers Mary and Erin!!!

12:30 Project Time! Hadija arrived and spoke with the kids, I did the introduction to the plan and the kids had about an hour and 20 minutes to create their idea and implement it.

4:20 The project is completed, the space is clean, we are packed up and drive away. Success:)