Well, now that I’m done with the BTP (Behind The Pen) segment of my primary release of my Short Story Project, I can get back to my regularly scheduled blogging. I am glad to do this, too, because so many things have changed throughout my life. Not just mine, either; my friends were dealing with the same thing…
Where to begin…
Well, let’s start with the fact that last summer, China passed an education law. The law prohibits training centers to provide tutoring services for school subjects. It meant that, if it’s taught in school, the training centers all over China were not allowed to provide additional education for it. There was more to the law but just that statement alone caused me and all my friends to go into a panic. I openly admit that I cried…a lot. It was a lot of change happening at once and it was overwhelming. Normally, I could handle change; usually, I welcome it. But not this time. It was way too much for me to handle at once and my body wasn’t equipped to hold it all in. I needed to let it all out.
None of us were ready to go home, especially me. I was finding my groove as an educator and I didn’t want to let up the roll. I wanted to keep going on this career path. Luckily, I had a friend with the same sentiment who helped me link up with a few recruiters. It only took a matter of days to get a new school and a new job – a better job. It was interesting…I didn’t know that this particular job existed outside of America.
See, at first, I was strictly looking at jobs as an English teacher. But as I was being presented with jobs after jobs, I began to notice that schools were looking for “something more”. They were looking for teachers who were the whole package; someone who could teach students to not only speak English but read and write at a level that got them ready for studying aboard. It was the perfect job and they wanted me. They were looking for me to fill the position as an ELA (English Language Art) teacher. It only took two interviews for them to give me an offer that I immediately accepted.
The school is called Limai, an international school, and, up until this point, I didn’t think they exist. I was hired along with my best mate, Charles, and we ended up traveling together to the city of Nanchang. It was the first time that I was traveling outside of Chongqing and it was because I was forced to move. The city and school were quaint and lovely and I fit in just fine. I couldn’t help but smile. It was sad that we were moving away from our group, but it was nice to know that I had a familiar face to work alongside. A blessing and a half if there ever was one.
I’m halfway through my first school year as a big boy ELA teacher and I’m feeling proud of myself. The students liked me and were retaining what I taught them. Except for one (long story), all the staff and teachers were enjoying my company and loved my “I guide, you drive” teaching style (a short story, actually). Finally, I was able to teach what I want, how I want, and not get reprimanded for “not following the rubric”. Charles is happy, too, especially since his girlfriend was able to move with him – after her graduation, of course. Yep…everything is working out just fine. Took a while, though.
Now, please, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads) which are on the right side of my web page. Also, I do love hearing suggestions of what books to read outside of my norm (Science fiction and fantasy) as I am a part of the Goodreads’ reading challenge for 2022. My goal is to read 180 books this year and I’m already at 21. I should probably start reviewing these books.
