A month ago, my friend and I met for a quick lunch. She mentioned she had been approached by the principal of a Chinese kindergarden to teach English. Her schedule as a dance teacher and promoter of various wine distributers kept her too busy. She nonchalantly asked if I was interested. Something inside of me just lit up. "Yes!", I exclaimed, almost shouting at her.
I'd entertained the idea of teaching, but in the States, I would have had to earn another Bachelor's degree. I decided on pursuing my Master's in Counselor Education instead. When we moved to China, I was three classes shy of that degree. I figured I'd try being a Tai Tai (housewife of leisure), but was floundering. Don't get me wrong, going to wine lunches, shopping in Shanghai, exploring ancient water towns, and catching up on decades of movies and television has its benefits. I love being able to help out at the girls' school whenever they need me. However, I felt a bit...useless. Teaching little ones just might put the spunk back in my step.
By the following week, I had met and interviewed with the principal, toured the school, had been introduced to the teachers and stood at the entrance of the school awaiting the arrival of four hundred children and their parents, grandparents, ayis and other caregivers. As each child entered, they eyed me shyly...at first. Their gaze did not sway until they'd turned the corner to their classrooms. I shook the hands of the adults and patted the heads of the kids as they passed. A whirlwind of activity ensued. I watched as they began their day with exercise and song in the courtyard. A group of kids were selected as 'color guards', and they proudly marched the Chinese flag to its position and all stood at attention as it was raised.
To be perfectly honest, I was terrified. I had never taught and the thought of these little tikes ready to absorb whatever I said actually made me break out into a cold sweat. As I walked into the first of the twelve classes I would be teaching, all anxiety disappeared. The smiling faces of thrity adorable children beamed at me. How could I not beam back?
I was in my element. Each child came to me and we had a conversation. For some kids, this was an easy task, but others were bashful...at first. Some know a little English, but there are many more who do not know any words beyond "Good Morning". Each day so far has been an adventure. I sing and dance, talk in funny accents and try to remember childhood games and chants to keep these sponges fully engaged. I come home drenched in sweat as the classrooms aren't air conditioned and I'm terribly out of shape. No need to buy that gym club membership when I get a workout everyday in the classrooms. I teach four 4-yr.old classes once a week, and five 5-yr.old classes and six 6-yr.old classes twice a week. Private lessons begin in a couple of weeks and I don't know how many of those I'll have. Each day presents different challenges, but the rewards far outweigh them. At the end of the lesson the entire class rushes at me like I'm a rock star. As I got into a taxi, I heard one of the girls shout "Goodbye, teacher!" from across the street, revitalizing my soul. Hokey? Maybe. True? Definitely.
