My Greece class is losing Ben (family reasons). His last day is Today, Friday the 25th. We have vacation from Saturday to next Thursday. As soon as we get back, that Friday, a new girl starts. Not that I don't like new students, but I was happy at the prospect of having 10. Even numbers are good. 10 is still too many... So, this new girl is supposed to have gone to a hagwon before... So, she is supposed to be have some knowledge of English. Then again Mino went to a hagwon for a year and yet... wow. He is getting better. He almost knows the alphabet. Speaking, writing, listening... well he is still so far behind in everything. He still stays after and Aness and Louise help him. In class it is still so hard because he is so slow and does not get it. It makes class stressful. Hopefully this new girl is not like that. Hopefully she has some English experience... We will see.
Next shakeup... this one is the one I am not happy about. I am getting a new baby class on Tuesday and Thursday. They are 7, not 6, but still very first time learners. When I say new... I mean, literally new. We are using the same book as the 6 year olds. AHHHHH. I just want 1 class of advanced learners. 1 class of students I am not talking at, but am talking to. One group that can form their own opinions. So still, my smartest an most advanced kids are 7 (western 5 or 6). Camille said its because they like me... Kids like me and moms like me. When Louise was telling me about them, she said they are going to be like my babies. I think it is misunderstood when I say my babies when talking about them.... it is not a term out of love, but a term born of frustration. But... I just... I dont know. I will get out earlier on MWF because they are taking a class from me (book club... not a class per se but mostly just daycare and helping kids write book reports after we watch a movie or bookflix or something). But I will stay later on TR by 40 minutes. I just... I dont want to complain to the school. It just wears on me. I wish I would stay late just for 1 class of upper level students. But I am on the edge of going over hours. I like the kids... but I just want to have someone to talk to. My life is my students and fellow teachers. For 5 days a week they are all I see. In those 5 days... I am able to talk to my coteachers for pretty much less then an hour. And its pretty much in passing or preparing for class. So what does that leave. My students. Mental stimulation is needed. Kids can have great thoughts and interesting opinions. Just, that my kids, even if they can form them, can not communicate them to me.
I think one of my problems this year is that I really dont have a special relationship with a class or a student. Last year there was always one class that I just 'got' and they 'got' me. Sense of humor, work ethic, and the likes. Similarly there was several students last year that I really feel I had a good teacher student friendship/relationship. This year, I have neither. Denmark class is full of prima donnas and princesses. The one that isn't, is a space cadet. I say that as a term of endearment. She is in her own world so the relationship she has with the others is different. There is still drama, but when she causes it, it isnt out of malice, its just cause she is so awkward.
With Greece, I do have kids that I like. I am still a teacher and they are still students... but there is less of a kinship and more of a me being a spectacle/fun/new experience. Kids that wave and say hi and run up and hug me, but not kids that can talk to me. Part of it is language... part is they are 6 (4/5) and even if we could speak... there is not much to be said.
Then there are my afternoon classes. They are either 3 days a week for one class or 2 days a week for one class. Its just not enough time. That, and they all I teach now are first year learners. My oldest class was given away to make room for my new baby class. I used to complain about their lack of ability to communicate with me... and now I crave even that.
There are some students that I feel I could have that ability to just talk to... but I teach none of them. They talk to me in the hallway or call me into their class during break. Some of them are the students from last year, some are kids I have never taught.
It may sound like I am looking for friendship with kids... Its not friendship... but I look back on my education and there were some teachers that just 'got' me. Teachers that I can look back on and just remember their passion for teaching and helping me. People that helped shape my life. People that I emulate. Forgive the Star Wars reference, but I want a padawan. Someone that I can pass my knowledge onto, and yet someone that can also teach me. I am just lacking it... and without that... It makes it tough. It takes part of the passion away.
I would love to say something to the school. I just dont want to be that guy. I know this is not a career. I am not making any moves to the top. I am here as a puppet, and I know that. I am here to keep kids coming back, to keep moms happy, and to teach these kids some English. I am good at what I do. I play my part. All being said, my complaints seem great, but in real life... I have it pretty well.
This is my last post before Japan. Matt and I fly out tomorrow night. I'm stoked.
Here are 2 pictures. One of my babies, and one of my Greece class.
Here are my Babies. 6year old Tuesday Thursday class. We made grabbers for science.
Sophia, Andy, Emma, Chris, Robert, Rachel, David, Sophie, Daniel, Ethan, Amy
Here is my Greece class. We made Raccoons in art.
Jake, Sally, Claire, Andy, Olivia, Sean, Mino, Amber, Ben, SunJoon (Rosie was sick).
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