Everyone knows that as a teacher, it is your job to help others learn. When you walk into a classroom, you expect to be implementing lesson plans, assigning homework, and playing review games. You expect to struggle with your students as they push themselves to learn new things and be there to cheer for them when they succeed. What you don’t necessarily count on is them teaching you a few things, too.
From day one, I learned about the strength required to create opportunities for yourself. Our home visits were proof of how much courage it takes to immerse yourself in learning a new language from a teacher who only speaks English, all the while not knowing where your next meal is coming from or if your family will be able to make rent this month. It would be easy to get distracted by stress, but our kids brought their A-game every single day. Eager to learn, they literally jumped out of their seats whenever they had the opportunity to answer a question. There is something about watching someone throw themselves into their education that teaches you how valuable learning is. While kids in the United States count the minutes until school is over, these kids are laughing, clapping, and cheering even after the bell rings. Despite the adversity they face, education means the world to them.
From our home visits, I learned about how powerful family can be. The strongest students I have worked with are strong because of the support they have at home. Every family we visited beamed with pride when we talked about their child’s accomplishments, but I keep thinking back to our visit with Fatimazahra’s family. As Fatimazahra makes her way into the world, her family will always be supporting her, pushing her. That is something about Moroccan culture that I will never forget. The families here are tied together like knots, and they love each other so deeply. In a few months, my life is going to change completely. I will be learning to live on my own and getting ready to begin my life as an adult. If there is anything that Fatimazahra’s family has taught me, it’s that through all of this, I will need to remain close to my family, because they are the ones who will give me strength. They are the ones who will push me to be my best. They are the ones who will help me transform into the person I want to be.
From the people, I learned about believing in something greater than yourself. The love the Moroccan people have for each other translates into the culture, especially the religious aspect. Never in my life have I been in a place where everyone is so unified by a belief system – whether it means going to pray 5 times a day or fasting during Ramadan together. When I stepped off the plane and onto Moroccan soil, I had no idea what to expect from the people here. The image of Muslims that I have seen in American media was so much different than the Muslim culture I experienced here in Morocco. While all I heard in America was that Islam is founded on hatred and violence, all I have seen here is peace and love. Over and over, I heard the phrase “Islam is peace,” and these words rang true every day here. Not only do these people believe in peace and God, but they carry their religion into every aspect of their life. Islam teaches them respect, love, and kindness. Even when every day is a struggle, their faith in God gives them the strength to carry on. Sometimes, I have found, the hardest thing to do is to have faith when you are struggling. However, this faith gives you the strength to persevere.
The memories I have and the lessons I learned during my time here will be with me forever. My heart is full with love from my kids, love from their families, and love from the people of Morocco. Though it’s hard to think that I will never see those students again, I know that our group worked tirelessly every day give them the tools they need to succeed, and I can’t wait to see what they become.
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