Third Meeting 03-03

Meeting today with Elodia was a very interesting experience. We went over the first lesson of the social studies test. It covered a lot of American history from Christopher Columbus to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Today was particularly surprising for me. First, I was impressed with Elodia’s ability to read English. We went slowly but she only had difficulty with larger words. Once I explained those, she understood what she was reading very well. The most surprising thing, for me, though, was her lack of understanding of the geographical nature of the world. I realized how I take my understanding of the international community and geography for granted. She did not know what a continent was. She did not know about other countries and what a general outlined map of the world looked like. As an international relations major, I have gotten to the point where I almost assume people know what is going on in the world. I think also as a college-educated student I forget that there are people who do not even have even have the concept or ability to grasp what the world we live in looks like on a map. The lesson we studied talked about the Native Americans coming over from Asia by the Bering Strait and I had to draw a rough concept of that for her to understand the very beginning of the passage. She had never heard of the countries in Europe or the continents countries are a part of. It was very eye-opening. A person can try to be conscious and aware of the different people in this country and the different levels education, but sometimes you forget.
I love teaching Elodia, because when she learns something she gets so excited and thinks a simple history lesson is so interesting. Sometimes, however, I worry about offending her. She is one of the nicest women I have ever met, so sometimes I feel unsure because I don’t want to insult her by asking her if she already knows what this means or if she knows how to read something. I know she won’t get mad at me because she is sincerely kind. But I would not want to hurt her feelings and insult her intelligence. I sometimes feel guilt, as well. I was teaching her the lesson today and she exclaimed, “You already knew all this?” I’m so young comparatively and it does not seem fair that I have had the opportunities to have this great education, when this sweet and eager to learn woman has not. This has reminded me how many blessings there are and to appreciate the simple things. Normally people associate simple things such as food, water, a roof over your head, and clothes. I have never really considered a basic education a simple blessing. I rarely think of the diverse education levels here in the United States. It is easy to imagine poorly educated people in third world countries, such Haiti and Ghana. Here in the United States, though, I have never paid much attention. I am really glad that I met Elodia and am doing this. I was very concerned in the beginning. I’m still a little uncertain about my teaching skills, but I am less worried now that I have met Elodia and realize I enjoy watching her learn.