I just finished my 4th week of teaching (but when you take all the flood days and public holidays in to consideration, its more like 2 1/2 weeks), and I am loving it! Many challenges have presented themselves (working with a new curriculum, unit planning, portfolios, learning routine and how to teach, classroom management, missing home, and living in a new culture), but it has been good to lean on God and those around me. First year of teaching is A LOT, but I am finding so much joy in it.
It has been fun to focus on the small things each day... the things that bring laughter to my classroom - student comments, interactions, and the things they do. They never cease to crack me up!
Each day I learn something new about teaching, expectations, classroom procedures, and class 'meetings'. You really need to think on your feet as a teacher. I have realized that there are so many things I haven't thought about or considered in teaching... time after time I am face with the question "Um, what do I do about this?"
This past week I had a 2nd grader ask to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, she only made it to the door before the class got to see what she had for breakfast that morning; she had thrown up all over the floor. Luckily another adult was in my classroom and took care of my poor 2nd grader and the mess, while I tried to bring the rest of my students' attention back to our handwriting lesson.
I also had the privilege of watching one of my students pick his nose, put this new found treasure in his mouth to moisten it, and then use the green/clear paste to paint pictures on his desk. Gross! A little conversation might need to take place shortly here. :)
Haha each day brings surprises, laughter, and learning. I feel so blessed to be in the Philippines, to be able to pray for/with my students, and to build in to their lives.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Kids are Here!
After 3 days of school, teaching has proved to be a good challenge. I definitely have had my share of feeling overwhelmed but I am enjoying my little ones, as well as the diversity within my classroom.
I have 27 second graders this year who represent 8 nations (America, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, England, China, South Korea, and the Philippines). How neat is that? I will be working in some time too for students to share lives and stories each week for sure. I also have 8 English language learners who will be interesting to make adjustments for.
Although everything can feel like a lot, it has been really good to realize that I need to lean more heavily on the Lord. Along with the challenges of my first days of teaching, there has been many moments of smiles and laughter.
One of my second graders likes to smell my hair while the class is lining up. He once turned to the little boy behind him and told him that my hair smelt like strawberries and that he should pick one :) (Luckily he decided otherwise). Another time, one of my little Korean boy asked me if I was drinking coffee. He then said, "Um, aren't you too young to be drinking coffee?" After I told him that I am an adult which means I am allowed to drink coffee, he said, "Well I don't think you are old enough, your hair isn't gray." Ah the things kids say and do! :) Its the little things that count.
Today we received our first "rain day" (a day off after just 3 days of teaching) from all the flooding happening around the city. It has been raining pretty solidly for the past week or two. Although I am really grateful for a day off, my heart goes out to all the squatters and people who have their homes flooded around Manila. There are parts that are harder hit than others; fortunately we live up on a hill and haven't really been touched. Please pray for the people who have had to leave their homes and for the people who have been affected by the rains. Thank you!
I have 27 second graders this year who represent 8 nations (America, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, England, China, South Korea, and the Philippines). How neat is that? I will be working in some time too for students to share lives and stories each week for sure. I also have 8 English language learners who will be interesting to make adjustments for.
Although everything can feel like a lot, it has been really good to realize that I need to lean more heavily on the Lord. Along with the challenges of my first days of teaching, there has been many moments of smiles and laughter.
One of my second graders likes to smell my hair while the class is lining up. He once turned to the little boy behind him and told him that my hair smelt like strawberries and that he should pick one :) (Luckily he decided otherwise). Another time, one of my little Korean boy asked me if I was drinking coffee. He then said, "Um, aren't you too young to be drinking coffee?" After I told him that I am an adult which means I am allowed to drink coffee, he said, "Well I don't think you are old enough, your hair isn't gray." Ah the things kids say and do! :) Its the little things that count.
Today we received our first "rain day" (a day off after just 3 days of teaching) from all the flooding happening around the city. It has been raining pretty solidly for the past week or two. Although I am really grateful for a day off, my heart goes out to all the squatters and people who have their homes flooded around Manila. There are parts that are harder hit than others; fortunately we live up on a hill and haven't really been touched. Please pray for the people who have had to leave their homes and for the people who have been affected by the rains. Thank you!
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