So, I just got back from my holiday trip to Chongqing. It was much needed and my friends were beyond happy to see me. I mean, of course, we had weChat and our western social media, but it’s something simply delightful about being next to the people you care about. Here. Let me tell you about it.
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.
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.
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…
“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.
Well, I’m back at school. Actually, I was back at school for a moment, then we were forced to go into lockdown, again, and, finally, able to leave my community…again. However, China’s Labour Day holiday is coming up so you can imagine my reservation about things getting back to normal. Nevertheless, I do have something to share…
It is interesting to see how my life has leveled out after two weeks of lockdown. It’s also a blessing and a half to see how quickly I was able to bounce back into the land of vivid living. I mean…it is a task to keep busy when you were forced to be confined to an enclosed space. Anyway, everything is slowly coming back to normal and my students are slowly coming back to school. Speaking of which…
This week and last week have been a trial of patience, devocation, and dedication for everybody at Limai. Teaching online with students who either have the attention span of a hummingbird or who just don’t like the idea of an online class. I mean…I didn’t like the idea of online classes when I was at university so how the hell was I going to convey the importance of it to my students. But I did my best…
I was avoiding the notion of posting until I got more information. Now, I know for sure and, dammit, I’m beyond pissed. Not for me, for my students. They are the ones who are going to hurt the most from this. I mean…this is a boarding school, after all. Oh, right. I need to tell you what’s happening. We’re going through another lockdown.