My first day as a teacher
Today was fascinating. I went from nervous to elated by the end of my first two periods and then from elated to terrified to overwhelmed to fearful to doubtful to "I give up and will just roll with the punches" by the end of the last two periods. I've got to get ready to go out to dinner with all of the teachers, but I want to note a few quick things, as I won't be writing until tomorrow at some point:
I said the following sentence into a microphone to over 2,000 students this morning at the opening day ceremony: "I'm looking forward to teaching English at Wuchang Experimental Primary School".
Some of the names I encountered today are: Tiger (boy), Stone (boy), Hunk (boy), and Rainy (girl).
One boy sat sticking the knot from his nametag string in his nose and letting it dangle while I was repeating the word, "My". We said "My" and "Listen" and "name" at least fifty times over and over and over again in the Grade 1 classes.
I bought a chubby penguin cup for my coffee. It has a lid that is the penguin's head. I am in love with this cup. Pictures to come soon.
The mother of one of my Grade 1 students came and introduced herself in perfect English and informed me that her child requires more practice at pronunciation and that she hopes I will provide a rigorous regimen unlike last year when her daughter was in Kindergarten. Wow. A little intimidating.
I just want to say, I'm really excited, a little nervous and feeling like I'm not quite sure what I'm doing. I have one amazing co-teacher and one that has never taught before either and doesn't speak very good English. So, I'll get to experience and cultivate two very different teaching styles. Perfect for a Gemini.
More later! I survived my first day! The children are adorable. This is great!
