What's in a Name?

Names carry significance to a person’s identity, even more so in Mexico.  Not only are both parents represented in a person’s last names, but a nickname implies great meaning as well.  People look for a way to shorten your name or give you a nickname.  Take Kari for example:  most people here have taken to calling me Kar.  I don’t have a problem with this, but no one outside of my family has ever called me that in the States, not even close friends.  Mau is short for Mauricio (which makes me think of China every time I say it), Pato for Patricio, Dani for Daniela, Gabo for Gabriel, Nat for Nathalia—if there’s a way to shorten or combine names, Mexican people figure it out.  Some nicknames are reserved for close relationships only, which is not that different from the States.  I don’t reveal my family nickname of Karbear to just anyone.  Because of the difference in names here in Mexico, I am fascinated with them.  I love being able to call my students by their nicknames; I feel as if I’m being let into an inner-sanctum.  I’m also embracing being called by my first name because of the same reason.  In the United States, it’s a sign of disrespect to be called by one’s first name in the teaching field, but that is not the case here in Mexico.  First names, nicknames, open a door to relationship and familiarity—the soul of this country.

Today I met my mentees for the year (minus two who were absent).  I have two 6th grade girls, one 7th grade girl, four 8th grade girls, and four 8th grade boys.  We played a series of icebreaker/team building games to get to know each other—of course the 8th graders were too cool to fully engage.  I’m looking forward to meeting with each student individually, to break them away from the mob mentality.  I hope to be able to meet with each of the 11 students at least twice a bimester, but I’ll have to see how things work out schedule-wise.

I also started Spanish lessons today after school.  Our instructor is the SWAS (School within a School) instructor for Spanish—kids who don’t know any Spanish see her to learn.  This afternoon she was learning where each of us were in our knowledge of Spanish, and I was able to get a sheet of paper that shows how to conjugate verbs in the past tense.  I’m feeling more confident in the knowledge I have already and what I will be able to learn with this class.  DEBTET!