Samantha Languis, a teacher at the Knox Educational Service Center’s preschool in Mount Vernon, recently began her new role after two years of service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Rwanda. Languis, who is originally from Heath, Ohio, taught English to large groups of third and fourth graders in an east African village school.
“My Peace Corps experience was wonderful, and I will always be grateful for it, but teaching preschool has been my dream,” Languis said. “This is my favorite age of children (3, 4 and 5). Being here at the (Knox ESC) preschool is awesome.”
Languis works alongside assistant teacher Lyndsey Kanniard. Together they lead a morning class with 13 children and an afternoon group with 12 students. Their focus is on creating a safe and enjoyable learning environment for young children.
“Our goal is to make sure the kids know that school is a safe, fun place to learn. We are regulating emotions, learning to take turns and listen to others,” Languis said. “This age range is the most fun for me, seeing them grow and change. If they don’t enjoy preschool, it’s going to be tough for them to buy into education later.”
Languis earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and intervention specialist from Capital University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree online from Western Governors University. Prior to joining Knox ESC Preschool, she worked as a fourth-grade intervention specialist at East Knox Local Schools.
Her journey toward international service began in high school when a Peace Corps representative visited her school. She later joined the Peace Corps cohort in Rwanda from 2017 to 2019.
“We lived with host families for three months during training, then we were assigned to various villages,” she said. “The oldest daughter in my host family spoke English, which made things easier.”
In Rwanda, she taught four classes of about 80 students each twice per week with help from a local co-teacher who assisted with translations.
“I taught four 45-minute classes of about 80 kids each twice a week,” Languis explained. “I had a local co-teacher to help with translations. But having that many kids in the same room wasn’t bad because it is their custom for children to sit at their desks, listen and pay attention.”
Outside of teaching duties, Languis adapted to living conditions without running water or refrigeration.
“I had electricity most of the time, but no refrigeration. There was no running water, so I had to pay someone to fetch water for me everyday,” she said.
She bought food weekly at local markets and sometimes dined at village restaurants where goat meat dishes were common favorites.
Languis also experienced Rwandan culture by attending weddings and observing memorial ceremonies related to the country’s history.
“Their weddings last all day. There are lots of speeches,” she noted regarding local traditions.
“There was a lot of talk about forgiveness,” she added about genocide remembrance events marking the anniversary of the Rwandan Civil War atrocities.
During her time abroad, she returned home only once for Christmas break but continues relationships with friends from Rwanda by providing occasional support.
“I send her a little money now and then to help with her kids’ school fees,” Languis said about one such friend known as the “market momma.”
Now settled back in Knox County with her husband Jeremy and their one-year-old son Dax, Languis reflects positively on both her international experience and current position: “Again, I am so glad to be here at the preschool, but I will always be thankful for my experience in Rwanda. I learned so much about what I am as a person, so much about myself.”
