There is Always a Comma

By unfortunate circumstances, I was asked by my university to return home early. Due to the coronavirus quickly spreading from country to country, there were possibilities that the US would ban travel from certain countries. Tennessee Tech thought it was best to bring me home just in case. I left within a day from receiving a message about my urgent return. Although I came home only one week early, the goodbyes were still just as hard.

When I left, students were still finishing up their projects. I made sure to capture a few of my favorites before I left.




8th standard girls created a house design and showed how to find its volume
7th standard, Napier's Table
6th standard, by moving the popsicle sticks they can show the angles on the circle

I am so proud of these students for all of their hard work. They had their academic exhibition the other day. You can watch a short clip from an Indian news station here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0sjoJjZan4

From watching and helping these students work on their projects, I learned so much. I learned how to be resourceful with materials. I learned how to create mathematical projects that can not only show a property but, more importantly, the reasoning behind the property. As I talked and brainstormed with students during this time, students wanted to show certain concepts. I would ask them, "How can your project show that the property works?" I would ask them questions to keep them thinking about how they can improve their projects, and they were very diligent and creative in developing their projects.

The staff put together a farewell party for me, where I got to sing the Hindi song with the music teacher and hear short speeches from teachers I worked with. I showed my documentary to the teachers as well, which you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/drishti.innovative.5/videos/638054766993099/

I was so touched by all the love that was shown to me despite the rush to get me on a plane back home. One English teacher noticed I was sad and said, "Leann, don't worry. There is hope we will see each other again. There is never a full stop. There is always a comma." 

I made it safely back home to the states, and I look forward to visiting others to share my experience.

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