Finally…finally…FINALLY!!! I am done with the 2021-2022 school year and my students are finally able to enjoy their summer holiday. This week has been trying for both myself and my students for many reasons.
dimensionaltales
As of today, I have completed my first year as a big boy teacher and I am so proud of myself. If you recall, my first job as an educator was at a training center (Owen) and I loved every bit of it. The students were wonderful, my colleagues were supportive sweethearts, and my main boss was cool. The only problem I had with the training center, aside from my immediate supervisor, was that it wasn’t my speed. But Limai, on the other hand…
This week was beyond hectic for my colleagues and me. All of us spent the week reviewing everything for our students’ finals next week. Most of us have more than two grades to teach and, in turn, review (I had three, but my Twelfth Grader graduated). That alone is enough to drain us mentally. But, alas, I’m not just a teacher.
The Chinese government is a fickled thing. They have laws against discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and, yet, they have laws banning games and media that have feminine men in them. Yeah…talk about hypocritical. They don’t even allow any PRIDE Parade anymore because it was “going against the harmony of China”. Nevertheless, I’m still swelling with PRIDE. Let me tell you why.
There is something about letting a student know that what are doing is out of kindness and love without using words. To show them that you care about them even to only get involved when it’s for their safety is something. But, sometimes, you have to use their words and, though it’s pretty rare for me, go into a monologue of suppressed anger and annoyance.
Let me explain…
China is a country that can be welcoming one minute and elitist the next. I had to deal with people trying to parent me only to try to befriend me when I prove that I won’t be bullied. It’s been an ongoing cycle for a good while now, but I’m not here to talk about that today. But, right now, I want to talk about something that made me smile today.
“I teach students, not subjects.”
-Unknown
I’ve been an educator for, at least, three years, now. Moreover, I’m closing in on my first year as a big boy teacher and I’m beyond proud of myself. I have seen and endured a lot and I still got one more month before the 2021-2022 school year closes out. But, what got me the most is the additional responsibilities of a teacher; it was a welcoming surprise.