My grade 9
students took their exams and left a week early as they need to take the middle
school Zhong Kao exam. This is a standardized exam that all grade 9 students in
China have to take. Living in a country will a population exceeding 1.3
billion, you can imagine the amount of pressure put on these poor students. I
wish them the best of luck.
Anyway, because my students are gone, I’ve had a chance to reflect on both my growth as an individual and as a teacher these past few months. Although it has been crazy challenging, I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to teach. Not only has it been rewarding beyond expectations, I can now personally empathize with my husband and understand his chosen career path. I’ve always had a respect for teachers - my mother is a teacher – and I’ve had some idea about the kinds of things they deal with. However, walking in the shoes of a teacher these past few months has greatly increased that respect and admiration. The levels of time, energy and love that go into teaching are truly tremendous!
Anyway, because my students are gone, I’ve had a chance to reflect on both my growth as an individual and as a teacher these past few months. Although it has been crazy challenging, I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to teach. Not only has it been rewarding beyond expectations, I can now personally empathize with my husband and understand his chosen career path. I’ve always had a respect for teachers - my mother is a teacher – and I’ve had some idea about the kinds of things they deal with. However, walking in the shoes of a teacher these past few months has greatly increased that respect and admiration. The levels of time, energy and love that go into teaching are truly tremendous!
When we originally planned to come to
Maple Leaf, I was hired to be the librarian. When that opportunity fell
through, I was pretty worried about what I would be doing. As many of you know,
China kept feeling *just" out of our reach since every time we thought we
were all set to go, something came up to post-pone our plans. By the time we
actually made it here, I did not even care what I would be doing – I just
wanted to get to China! Because of all this, the worry and concern I would
normally have had before doing something totally out of my comfort zone wasn’t
even there. I seriously did not even have time to get over jet lag before I was
thrown into the classroom.
Looking back, I can see everything that
led us here was a blessing. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I usually psyche
myself out and fail to even start certain things if I don’t think I can do them
well. China has changed that about me. I was thrown into a new
country and a new job and I just had put my head down and pull through. Of
course I had my moments when I broke down, doubted myself and hated everything
around me. But those moments passed and I was rewarded with a stronger sense of
who I am and what I can accomplish. I have grown so much from this experience
and am so amazed I could do something totally new and end up enjoying it!
In the end, nothing is quite as awesome
as having students ask you for advice or say “We’ll miss you, Ms. M!” I taught
some great kids this semester and learned so much from them in return.
I am pleased to tell you that I’ve been
hired as the librarian for next year. Although I’ll miss the students, I will
not miss a teacher’s lesson planning and marking. ;-) I’m looking forward to
this chance to develop skills in my field. I am also positive that
the lessons I’ve learned as a teacher will assist me in this new
position. We are ALL teachers of some sort, right?
To close I’d like to share a few
pictures of my students doing skits where they had to sell a made-up product.
They got really into them! Enjoy!
Class 1on the boys campus. Mark and Yasuo made me be the 'supermodel' in this skit.
Shrek, Edward and Peter from Class 1.
Class 2, boys.
Class 3 girls! The sweetest, smartest, most creative girls EVER!
Until the next post! Zai jian!
The Two Tigers
