#teachinghighlight

Sweetest student, with a husky voice who promises to remember my birthday.

One day, she looks up at me a says...

"Teacher, you like...quiet. But, you are so..."

I finished for her "loud?"

"Yes, teacher."

What can I say, this calm, mild-mannered girl is a ball of energy in front of young impressionable minds that need something to liven up their day.

Confident, loud and goofy student with a lisp who continually calls me Meliss-er.

Reminds me of a home I have, in the mountains, and a great crew of folks I shared that home with.

Being told by a parent...

"We lived in Seattle for 3 months. Nara did not like to learn English there. But she likes English now. You are a good teacher."

"Teacher, you can call me John Rudolph. I like the way those words sound together."

April 1, 2011

As I leave the school grounds 3 students walk in front of me: a Girl and two Boys.

Girls here are always sweet, and with a most genuine gesture the female student offered me a few pieces of her afterschool snack.

Realizing the potential for verbal praise and 'brownie points' with the foreigner one boy followed suit by handing me a 50 cent piece (the equivalent of a nickel).

Not to be out done, the third student eagerly reached into his bag of snacks and offered a small handful to me.

Making Nametags on Day one of the 2011 School Year:

Student: My name means Dragon-Money

I like knowing these kinds of things.

but between eating more like a Korean,

less like an American

and walking a dog once, twice or thrice daily

has some wardrobe pieces fearing a trip to the thrift store

and other pieces rejoicing for more frequent 'outings'.

They totally wear me out.

I <3 their energy.

But they wear me out.