Ethan's Enormous Soap Bubble 4.29

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Possible Fuel Shortages Due to Labor Strike 4.29

U.S. Embassy Dakar, Senegal
April 22, 2011
Warden Message

Possible Fuel Shortages Due to Labor Strike

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to possible fuel shortages next week in Senegal.

The Senegalese Fuel Transport Workers Union is planning a labor strike on April 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2011. If the strike happens as planned, no fuel will be delivered to service stations on those dates and gasoline supplies may become scarce or unavailable. Even after the strike ends, fuel shortages should be expected to continue for several days.

The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens fill their vehicles with fuel as early as possible this weekend and keep them full in anticipation of expected fuel shortages. Mission personnel are being advised to do the same.

ISDakar International Festival: The Final Day

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ISDakar International Festival: Middle School Cultural Awareness Challenge: "Diversity: The Art of Thinking Independently Together" 2

The Very Best Professional Development 4.26

ISD offers a generous $1000 toward professional development annually per teacher. With most conferences taking place in Europe and the US, the amount helps defray the high cost of transportation and lodging.

I had considering attending a conference on research into the effects of technology on cognition, attention, and behavior, but felt that the stress of roundtrip travel from Dakar to San Francisco outweighed whatever benefits that I might realize from the conference.

No, the very best professional development for me can be found in the sea interning with dive instructors such as Hilda, Philippe and Daniela, and seasoned DiveMasters such as Aymeric.

I am, in the moment, 9 dives into the DiveMaster certification program. The role of the DiveMaster is akin to a classroom teaching assistant. And, like the teaching assistant, the DiveMaster provides an apprenticeship with an experienced teacher.

The point is this: as a DiveMaster, I am an apprentice, a role model, and am expected to intervene in the support of student divers effectively, graciously, and without hesitation. But if I am expected to act as a role model, I must be more aware of the role I am modeling. And there’s the rub: do I really know my stuff; am I able to perform/demonstrate basic dive skills?

I’m encountering holes and bad habits in my training and experience, which is, of course, an important aspect of any apprenticeship. So while I’m assisting another, I’m discovering what I don’t know, what I don’t understand, and what I need to modify (both with respect to my personal equipment and skills).

I picked up a dead fish of the bottom while diving with a group this afternoon. My intent was to hide it, then pretend to grab it alive, wriggling in my hand. What I expected was a giggle; what I received was an admonishment from the instructor, as if to say: you are a role model, not a goofball; demonstrate respect for the environment.

What better professional development could there be: to be willing to place myself in the role of apprentice under the guiding hand of a more experienced teacher, who is willing to call me out when a bad habit is revealed.

It’s much safer not to. And there my growth ends.

While The Cats Are Away (The Mice Will Play): Bobby's Big Birthday Bash 4.21

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Photos (top to bottom): photo1: Chateau Bobby; photo2: Rosa in rose; photo3: Adama & Catherina; photo4: best friends: Rosa, Emilie & Alice (from Spain, Belgium & Italy); photo 5: Luciana & Margret; photo6: Ethan & Mourtada; photo7: Ethan; photo8: Anais & Catherina; photo9: Margret & Catherina; photo10: Ethan, crawling on the grass (for reasons I was not too clear); photo11: Hello, my name is Abel, and I want to be your friend; photo12: after the 21st Sprite, Ethan began loosing control; photo13: Ben and his balloon; photos 14&15: da gurlz (from 12 different countries!); photo16: Bobby and his small birthday cake; photo17: Abel struts his stuff; photo18: Ibrahima enjoying a moment of quiet reflection in the dance tent; photo19: Mourtada.

The 6th graders came together yesterday afternoon at Chateau Bobby to celebrate his 12th birthday, complete with disco tent and DJ, helium balloons, and sugary snacks. Many thanks to Bobby and his family for hosting this fun afternoon.