Jaqi Cox

Month 2: August

August 14th was the first day of school. Doulos did two days of “boot camp” for students to relearn the rules and expectations. The next couple days we dove right into the school year with syllabi, chapel, small groups, and of course science related songs.

Matthew 22: 37-40

"And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”"

My Classroom

This year I get to teach the entire high school science. The underclassmen get to take biology, while the upperclassmen get to take physics 2. Physics 2 will be a new course here at Doulos and I am so excited to really make it my own and challenge these kids in order to prepare them for whatever is next.

To start the year my 9/10th graders have started their study of life, with determining the 7 characteristics of living organisms. Meanwhile 11/12 graders have started to study measurement, because as we say “a number without units is meaningless.”

My hope this year is to make science very hands on, engaging, and fun, while also pushing them. I want kids to be proud of the hard work they accomplish during the year.

So, with that in mind, I started all my classes with the story of the Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi. This is the idea that some things take time to learn, and though you may not be able to do something right now- the truth is you just can’t do it “yet.” In other words, keep trying and don’t give up.

For example, science can be hard. So while you might not be able to solve a systems of equations for tension using a free-body-diagram, realistically you just can’t solve it yet, so don’t shut down, ask for help, and keep going.

I know, this seems like a silly children’s book, but in the past, it has really stuck with my students.

My Crew

As I probably keep saying, my favorite part about being here has been the people. The community that we have here in Jarabacoa is amazing. It has been so fun to meet so many people and instantly click with a lot of new people. I love being able to go to work and just be surrounded by my friends all day.

This photo is from our “bumpy” trip down the mountain to the capital, Santo Domingo. We stopped at a mall, Ikea, and Starbucks to pick up some classroom supplies before our students got here- and let me tell you I definitely miss Starbucks.

Life down here hasn’t been perfect, and most things haven’t come easy (like blowing up a stove, renting a car, setting up a new classroom, technology…etc), but I think that just makes our memories that much more unforgettable.

Next time you see me- ask about the Santo Domingo trip…