3 BIG Things Every Teacher Needs

For this past month, I have been doggie paddling, swimming, treading water, and frantically grabbing onto random floating objects...metaphorically speaking.

While learning to teach (an ironic statement if you think about it), I have discovered that teachers need 3 BIG things.

1. A Teacher needs a BIG Smile.
         Students respond to genuine kindness...at least Asian students do.  I believe they can see through the fake happiness, but when they see genuine happiness and kindness they respond.

2. A Teacher needs a BIG Heart.
         If someone was in this for the money, they would be:
            -disappointed when they got the paycheck
            -burnt out before they could say "burnt out"
        With almost 200 students, each day I teach a classroom full of young lives with intricate stories to tell.  I hope I have the ears to hear and the heart to help and guide.

3. A Teacher needs a really BIG Back Pocket.
         Teaching often involves "pulling something out of my back pocket."  Every 5 minutes, I am mentally reviewing my lesson plan, adjusting to the clock, and searching my student's faces for understanding.  If I do not see understanding I have to add (out of my back pocket).  If I see understanding faster than expected, I have to move on which may mean "pulling something out of my back pocket" later.
          As a new teacher, I have to intentionally plan my "back pocket" activities.  However, I'm reading TEFL journals/methodology books and making my own journals with the hope that one day I will have a natural, built in back pocket.  Until that day...

One of my Freshman Classes

Dizzy...not Lazy.

On Tuesdays, I teach listening to a class of teachers.

For some Chinese, my name is hard to say/hear. One of my teacher-students said, "I told my daughter that my teacher was Lizzie (child heard lazy) and she thought that wasn't good."

So for a listening exercise we did:

Lizzie can be dizzy, busy, or frizzy.
But
Lizzie is not lazy.

Growing up, I would get so mad when people would sing-song my name, "Lizzie is dizzy 'cause she's so busy!" "Dizzy Lizzie!"

Now, I encourage it.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

The Wheels on the Bus don't always go round...

Yesterday, I walked 20 minutes and got on the 102 Bus.
The 102 Bus then got stuck behind an accident.
The people in the accident yelled for awhile, exchanged cash, and went on their way.
My bus then got into an accident.
The people in the accident yelled for awhile...and then we got off the bus.
I got on another 102 Bus and it took off like a rocket.
Before I could grab onto a bar...I fell on my butt.
The Chinese graciously looked away to save me face.
I then road on the 102 Bus for 20 more minutes.
I arrived at my destination and got off the 102 Bus.

I paid $2 and took a taxi home.

Likes and Dislikes

In America, I disliked the following:

·      Rain

·      Getting up at 6:00am

·      Ambiguity

In China, I have the following often:

·      Rain

·      Getting up at 6:00am

·      Ambiguity

So, l have learned some things.

Rain is wonderful!  It clears the skies, it brings moisture to a very dry place, and it cleans streets.  In Beijing, it allowed us to see the Mountains for a day (and then they went back into hiding).  Bring on the rain!

Getting up at 6:00am is OK.  (reader, you were expecting a radical heart change…weren’t you?)  Actually, I’m getting used to it.  The sun sets early here.  Getting up early, allows me to have a nice breakfast with Father and then get to work while sitting next to a window with sunshine.

Ambiguity…well, I’m embracing it. 

I am learning that likes and dislikes are just opportunities for change.*
*I hope I never see that cross-stitched into a pillow.

Early Breakfast

Blue Skies after the rain!

Today's Taxi: Scenes 1 and 2

Shelley: Take us to the Metro Market
Driver: No, I will take you to a better market
Shelley: No, take us to the Metro Market
Driver: I will drop you off on side of road...but not charge you.
Shelley: No, take us to the Metro Market like you agreed.
(repeat about 5 times)
Driver: Americans are bad

Silence.
Taxi pulls into an ally. Driver gets out.

Lizzie: uuummmmm

Two new men get into the taxi.

Lizzie: ummmmmm
New Passenger: How old are you? About 24?
Shelley: Close enough
New Passenger: I would marry you
Shelley: *Laugh*
New Passenger: (points to Lizzie) You are so white...you are so beautiful.
Lizzie: ummmmmm

New Passenger gets out.

New Driver: That is my friend...he is fun to play with.

We arrive at destination.

Lizzie: ummmmmmmm