"You wanna go where everybody knows your name!"

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(This blog, this post, and all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.)

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​On Tuesday, one of the other grantees texted our group chat with the thought provoking prompt: “How was day 2 (with a song?)”. Usually, I struggle to connect my reflections to obscure references, but this time, a song immediately jumped through my head. The chipper, encouraging Cheers TV show theme, “You wanna go where everybody knows your name” seamlessly floated into my train of thought. Let me explain.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the iconic 1980s sitcom, Cheers centers a hodgepodge of characters in a bar, Cheers, including Sam, the generous jock and owner; moody, snippy Carla, a waitress; dependably goofy Coach, the assistant bartender; Cliff, the local mail carrier; and Norm, the familiar face everyone turns to for life advice, even when his life is awry. At least once per episode, Norm enters the bar with the line, “Hey everybody!” to which everybody bellows, “NORM!” in unison as he strolls to his designated seat on the far right corner, next to Cliff. Everyone knows your name; Cheers is a community, a family who leans on one another for a joke, a story, advice, and acceptance. ​

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Students' predictions about me before I arrived in Uruguay

In my first week of teaching, I entered classrooms where everybody knew my name. My simple “Hello everyone!” was met with the choral response “MEG-AHN!” and giggles. I was part of the community before I walked through the school gate. It was surreal, overwhelming at times, but most of all, heartwarming. The welcome committee extended to the school staff, who each greeted me with the typical Uruguayan kiss on one cheek. “Buen día, gusto, encantada,” they’d say softly as they pulled me in for a hug. In Uruguay, everyone is greeted when they share a space together; everyone is recognized individually with a kiss or a handshake. I got the message: I matter.

The routine upon arrival was similar across the two primary schools. First, I briefly met with my mentor teacher to review the plan and lessons. Then, we moved across three to five classes spanning first through sixth grade. The mentor teacher led routine songs before I led an introductory presentation with slide visuals. Every class was very engaged and eager to ask me questions. I tried to use gestures and images to support my English explanations. With the younger students, I often clarified in Spanish. Some of the classes showed me drawings that presented their assumptions about my appearance, (I felt jealous of the drawings with purple hair!) age, and favorite things. Finally, almost every lesson ended with hugs, high fives, or a joyful “Bye bye!”.

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On the bus to school!

Every day, I traveled between 20 and 45 minutes to the schools by bus. On Mondays and Tuesdays, I rode to a school on the west side of Montevideo, on Wednesdays and Fridays, I traveled to the north, and on Thursdays I traveled to La Ciudad Vieja to work at an administrative center. 

The bus system in Montevideo is fairly straightforward. If you want to purchase a bus card (STM), go to Punta Carretas mall with your passport. Then, choose how much money you would like to put on the card (e.g. 1000 pesos/$20 for 2 weeks). Before you ride the bus, download the Moovit app to track which bus to take, which station to go to, and the bus route once you board. The app also shares the arrival time stamps and approximate ETA of each ride option. To stop the bus, put your arm out to the side; otherwise, the bus will pass. Scan your STM card on a reader that is either in front of the driver or to the left; don’t forget to take your receipt! When you would like to get off of the bus, walk towards the front –next to the driver– before the driver passes your stop. You can also walk towards the back of the bus and push a button near the back door, which will give a signal to the driver to stop at the next station.

Wednesday featured my first bussing mistake: I took a bus in the wrong direction. Thankfully, I was able to get turned around with the driver’s help, but I arrived at school a half an hour late. My mentor was extremely understanding and flexible, and I continually reassured myself with “trust the process” and “you are still learning.” With problems like these, my reaction matters; remaining calm to problem solve is the key to staying safe in an uncertain situation.

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Children's books!

Thursday served as a crucial opportunity to reflect and reset from the action-packed week and shifted my focus from individual classrooms to the Uruguayan education system. My two parental mentors graciously picked me up from my apartment to give an impromptu tour of the Pocitos and Ciudad Vieja neighborhoods. When I saw their faces, my shoulders immediately relaxed and a giddy grin reflexively jumped onto my face; I was at ease. “This is a safe space,” they reminded me soothingly over their shoulder as we maneuvered hectic pentagonal traffic stops.

They are like two peas in a pod, and they built room for me to fit into their wondrous world of teacher mentorship. In my first week in Montevideo, these two mentors enveloped me in hugs, words of affirmation, and exhaustive information about Uruguay's educational programming. I quickly realized that the education system here is complicated (e.g. the minister of education does not supervise the education system in Uruguay), to say the least. However, I still leaned forward with keen interest as my mentors scribbled a diagram of sectors, positions, and departments on the small whiteboard in their quaint office with sage green curtains.

The modest, cozy space rapidly filled with scaffolded ideas, hovering questions, eager interruptions, and bubbling laughter. We traded propositions. My mentors invited me to join them on a three-day trip to a province to assist their teacher mentorship initiative. When I had the stage, they ran with my ideas; we took turns writing lists on the whiteboard (along with other random English/Spanish words, like “potluck” and its Spanish alternative “lluvia”). I felt reluctant to break away from our zestful brainstorming session, but my to-do list reached its limit and it was time for a sweet treat. 

Around 11:00, everyone in the office stopped to crowd a table shimmering with sugar: four types of bizcochos, a type of small croissant or pastry with a filling of cheese, dulce de leche, cream, or jelly; pan de naranja (orange bread), and small sandwiches. In traditional Uruguayan style, the table buzzed with overlapping conversations. I exchanged travel stories with a French teacher mentor sugar crystals and cappuccino mustache decorating my mouth. Afterwards, my mentors introduced me to a familial international community that was hidden away in an unassuming brick building. 

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, my mentors brought out the classic children’s books from my childhood: If You Give a Pig a Pancake, The Mitten, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Caps for Sale. They offered the chance for me to read aloud to classes we will visit next week – after I sit in on teacher interviews and classroom observations. My inner child and children’s book nerd erupted; I slightly jumped up in excitement. Sharing stories with children is one of my favorite parts of teaching; I hope I can plant a seed for curiosity about books in some of the classes we visit together. ​

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Ryan (left) and I walked around Parque Rodó on Thursday afternoon. We visited an art museum and walk passed a children's library inside of a castle!

Outside of the classroom, my schedule was just as busy. There was a similar feeling to the first weeks of college: trying out different activities and clubs while maintaining contact with family. I find it difficult to say “no” at the moment. As a go-getter, I view everything as an opportunity, even when I cannot invest fairly in everything, everywhere, all at once. So far, the hustle-and-bustle is manageable, and I still have time to explore La Rambla on my own. 

That being said, here are some of things that I dabbled in (with one of my compañeros) this week:

• A swing dance class (I invested in three more classes)
• Biweekly visits to La Rambla for a long walk and short run
• Called with organizers in Uruguayan curriculum development about potential projects
• Visited a contemporary art museum near Parque Rodó with Ryan (and prepared homemade carbonara)
• Participated in a swing dance event with new friends

This weekend’s plans: celebrate two birthdays of my mentor teachers and a new friend, stop by a feria, or local street market on Sunday, and try to rest in the rainy weather!

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First day of school picture! :P

Needless to say, I am exhausted. These seven days almost busted open with novelty, new relationships, and tasks. However, next week presents the opportunity for settling into a routine: gaining comfort in transportation, delegating lesson planning and other projects, and making time for myself and my supportive, silly, spontaneous, and always-down-for-a-good-time growing community in Montevideo.

Cheers until next time! :)

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Thanks for joining in the chaos!