Teacher Appreciation Day

Last week was a short school week with only three teaching days, but I'm sure it won't surprise anyone that it was a really busy week anyway!   Tuesday there were no classes because we had nearly 200 students in the building who took entrance examinations as part of the application process for our incoming classes next year.  We helped 'meet-and-greet' in the morning, were introduced and spoke briefly at a parent information session while the kids were taking the tests, then assisted with grading the English exams afterwards.  

Wednesday morning was our monthly all-school worship service at church, and we got to sing with the praise team.  There were songs in both English and Slovak which we had practiced with the student-led group, and it was awesome to sing with them.   They also asked us to help in the service - I read the scripture in English after a student read the same thing in Slovak, and Tim said a prayer in English after the Slovak prayers.  

Thursday morning we again did the student devotions in English in the chapel.  We hope to involve other English-speaking teachers in upcoming weeks, so the students hear a variety of approaches and perspectives from different staff members.

Friday was Teacher Appreciation Day in Slovakia, but there were no classes that day, so on Thursday our students gave us flowers and were even sweeter than normal!  

On Friday, all the teachers from the Lutheran schools in the eastern district of Slovakia were invited to a special event to honor teachers, held in Martin.  We boarded a charter bus in the morning, and from the bus window, this was the view of our beautiful Liptovská Mara and the Tatras behind.  I had baked Snickerdoodles to take along and share on the bus, for another new traditional American cookie sample!   

When we arrived at the school in Martin, we were treated to delicious sweet rolls, sandwiches, and coffee or tea.  It was fun enjoying this opening reception with our colleagues before the worship service, and we were looking forward to also re-connecting with some of our American lector friends too.  

We knew Matt would be there, since his school was hosting the event, and we guessed correctly that he would be rehearsing for musical parts of the service.  When we got into the church, we found Matt for a big welcome hug!!  :-)  

The Bishop (with the large gold cross) and the other pastors participating in the worship service at the church, which is right on the school grounds in Martin.  

The glare from the windows in the background made for a poor photo, but the praise band sounded awesome.  See below for a link to a short video clip on YouTube!  Matt was absolutely amazing on the trombone.  As I told him afterwards, the trombone has never been a favorite instrument of mine, but I could listen to Matt's gorgeous tone and expressive playing all day long!!  Wow!! 

Click here to listen to Matt playing trombone with the Martin school praise band: 
Matt on trombone!

They had their preschool kids sing a couple of songs too - very cute!!  This one was "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock" -  in Slovak of course. 

Here's a better picture of the praise band playing.   It was awesome hearing familiar hymns during this service.  Even in Slovak, "A Mighty Fortress" and "How Great Thou Art" are wonderful songs to focus on our faith and God's greatness.  

The Bishop delivering an inspiring sermon about the mission and calling of teaching, and how we have many opportunities to impact kids' lives.  (Somehow the sermon always seems really impressive from the lofty wall-mounted pulpits!)  

After the church service, we all moved over to the school auditorium for a program.  The kids were really well prepared, and we enjoyed the skit about Nicodemus and Jesus.  

Matt and the band performed a couple of numbers too.  ROCK ON, MATT!!    :-)  

A view from the balcony during the program.  We are in the second row on the bottom, listening to Pat'ka translate for us.  

The Bishop presented us with awards in recognition of our service at our school.  Each school had a couple of representatives nominated by their administrators.  We felt that we were merely representing all of our wonderful colleagues at EGJT and ESŠ.  

The award presentation ceremony at Martin.
Thanks, Pat'ka and Viki for the photography!!   :-) 

The group of teachers who were presented with awards.  (Obviously, I did NOT help with the photo arrangement - much as I wanted to organize it, I resisted the urge.  LOL!!)

We had a brief reunion with some of our Global Missions family -- Jacob from Košice and Matt from Martin.  It was fun seeing the guys from the schools in our district.  

And this is the group from our school --- they are such awesome friends and colleagues!  

Ready to get back on our bus for the ride home.  

We were each given a flower during the awards presentation, but afterwards, our Headmistress gave us each ENORMOUS bouquets on behalf of our school.  The flowers were absolutely gorgeous!!  WOW!!  

On the bus for our return journey.  Smile, everyone!!  

And now for the back of the bus --- watch out for the two guys in the way back!!   ;-)  

It's a good thing that there are a lot of vases in our flat!!  I don't think we've had this many flowers all at once since the birth of our children.  Left-to-right:  my bouquet, our two apricot colored calla lilies from the Bishop's office, Tim's bouquet (with the biggest bird-of-paradise I've ever seen!), two sweetheart roses from the student council (hiding in the back), and some gerbera daisies from our I.A5 class and one of my elementary students.  

Our awards came in these beautiful velveteen folders (this is the front of one and the inside of the other.)  Very classy!!  

 After we got back to our flat, we had about an hour to change clothes and get ready to take a bus the other direction to meet Katarina and her parents in Liptovský Hrádok for a concert that evening.  

It was Slovakia's best a cappella group, called Fragile.  We were very impressed - they are an excellent group, and thanks to Katarina's translation, we also appreciated their humorous banter between numbers.  It was an awesome concert!!    :-)

Click here for a link to a short video clip of Fragile singing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Fragile Concert

After the concert, we all went to a restaurant in Závažná Poruba for a light supper and fun conversation.  Congratulations go out to Juraj, who was recently re-elected as the Východná city manager!!  :-)  We really enjoyed this fun evening with our Slovak family!!