"death" and charter schools

A new school year is in high gear, with new challenges and goals to set and later obtain.

I've started the new school year at a charter school in southern Madrid working with over 800 students, half of which are 5 and under. A good friend of mine and I have been fortunate enough to be able to wander into each pre-school classroom together, teaching shapes, colors, school supplies and songs to the niños.

The first week or two also included teaching my name, which for some reason, has been a complex confusion for many of them. Although I recognize that the name Beth is a rarity in Spanish culture (except for the Spanish American Idol's catalunyan sensation Beth), the sounds are all found in Spanish letters. Although frequently misspelt (Vez, Bez, etc.), I wasn't expecting such a variety of repetitions of my name that ranged from "Bot!" "Mot!" "Pa!" "Bath!" and one of my favorites "Death!" Then there were the clearly unique kids who racked their little brains and came up with "Cereza!" (cherry in Spanish) or "Laura!" (the name of the other English teacher with me). Yet, there was a silver lining when one brilliant girl, of the 400 little ones, quickly laughed and said, "Ja ja ja, Beth, como otra VEZ!" ("Beth, like another TIME"; vez in Spanish means time and is pronounced just like my name)