By Nathan Jacobson
Most days after school, I find myself in Room 103, with a pen in hand and an open notebook on the desk. Standing in front of me is a student eagerly waiting to practice a coming-of-age poetry piece, while another student is prepping to deliver his original oratory on his love of video games. These students are creative, honest, and deeply intelligent, and I am continuously astounded at the invaluable lessons I learn from them daily. Aged 13–19 years, they are all eager participants in the Bulgarian English Speech and Debate Tournament (BEST) Foundation, and our encounters represent some of my most meaningful moments in Bulgaria.
Through this intensive after-school activity, students not only have the opportunity to practice public speaking in English but also learn to express themselves effectively and become engaged global citizens. BEST, founded by fellow English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) six years ago, is a space of acceptance and creativity for the 23 students on my team and thousands across the country. As a coach, I love diving into a piece with my students, exploring its meaning, and working with my students to unleash their potential; this not only helps them deliver a successful performance but also builds up their self-confidence. I rely on my background in music, theater, and sociology to give students the tools to be their best selves. BEST has become one of the primary avenues for my students and me to learn to communicate with each other effectively while simultaneously exploring ourselves and the ideas we find important to share.
As the first ever ETA in Yane Sandanski High School for Science and Mathematics in Gotse Delchev, I had the opportunity not only to start a BEST team but also to introduce the Fulbright/America for Bulgaria ETA program to this wonderful community. In the classroom, I try to introduce topics my students may not have been exposed to previously, like American slang words, the US education system, or popular games like Jeopardy. By doing so, I seek to provide lessons my students find interesting, while also sharing information important to my identity. Through this challenging and exciting learning process, I enter each lesson with enthusiasm and energy in order to allow my students to be comfortable in trying new things. Whether they learn a new word, work up the courage to speak in front of the class, or show me how to dance horo, it is an honor to work with students who are highly motivated to perfect their skills not only in their curriculum focus of science and mathematics but in English as well. My students make teaching such a rewarding experience.
As the school year comes to a close, I cannot be more grateful for the community I have found myself in this year, as the relationships formed have taught me innumerable lessons that I look forward to sharing when I return to the States.
Nathan Jacobson is one of 30 Fulbright/ABF English Teaching Assistants working in high schools across Bulgaria to improve students’ English abilities and soft skills. The America for Bulgaria Foundation has supported the Fulbright ETA program since 2010, allowing young Americans to work directly with 8,000 students in 25 cities around the country.
