Phase 3 here in Costa Rica

It has been a LONG time since I updated this blog. I was settling into this our new life (phase 3), and we were dealing with some personal things (moving to a new country is worth it, but not easy!). Phase 1 of our time here was my time in the TEFL program. Phase 2 was my time teaching online only and living at our second rental here that overlooked the ocean. Phase 3 has been living in our new long-term rental in Samara and teaching at Mareas Academy part-time and teaching online part-time.

When I got hired to teach at Mareas, I had a kind of freak-out. I thought, there is NO WAY I will ever be able to do this! I'm a school psychologist, not a teacher! I had basically the worst flare up of imposter syndrome ever. However, thanks to Alice, one of my friends from the TEFL program, and a teacher for over 37 years, I got a boost of confidence and an idea of where to start. Each day I strive to learn from my mistakes and improve as a teacher. I am getting a small taste of what teachers in larger public schools experience, and while I knew they were heroes before, I now am even more convinced that they are superhuman. Send some love to the teachers you know, y'all! They are always working and always striving to do better. And those in Title schools are dealing with learning how to teach kids who don't speak English as well as managing 504 plans and following IEPs and behavior plans. I bow down to you!

So Kalen and I are settling into the daily routines here. We try to go to the ocean to dip our toes in at least once a day, and we almost always make sure to enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie. Life is harder when you don't have transportation besides your feet and a bicycle, so we are toying with trying to buy a motociclo or scooter.

I am full of gratitude for this opportunity to grow more as an educator and learn about working with kids from this new angle. I believe it will only make me a better psychologist. Although, I need to get going on doing some professional development! That 120 hour renewal is going to sneak up on me! :/

On my weekends I focus hard on practicing my Spanish. I have been taking online conversation classes and private lessons from Hola Spanish, which is a company I found via YouTube. I also meet with my language exchange partner every week or every other week.

Feel free to shoot me any questions you have about the TEFL program or life here in Costa Rica.

Love the ocean time

Sunsets are usually amazing