I made them a movie and showed it to them in class today. It was a sort of picture collage set to music. I put pictures of their nicknames and then pictures of them that I had taken throughout my time at the school (nicknames like “Apple Alice” or “Molly Mouse”). They loved it, and it was actually pretty tough for me to watch with them- just because I knew I would miss them so much, and their reactions to the movie were so sweet. They all made me cards and gave me hugs before they left, and told me they loved me. It was pretty tough to walk out the door today knowing I would probably not see these kids again.
Two days ago I told one of my favorite classes that it was going to be the last time I would be teaching them (the kids are 12 years old, and the class meets 3 times a week, every other day, but there are two teachers for the class, and it rotates every other class, so I only had them once this week). When I told them, Christina, Olivia, Heidi and Jenny got pretty upset and pleaded with me not to leave (those four girls are the reason for me loving the class). They became more at ease when I told them I would see them on Friday (today). I was planning on making them some sort of gift before I left, just because I loved them so much. I ended up making them each a DVD full of music (because sometimes we talk about music in class, and often times when I come in they are listening to their mp3 players). Before I could leave the office to find them today, I saw them waiting outside the door. I was surprised with a small arsenal of gifts from them. Origami, sweet notes, drawings of me and them, money, candy and little crafts they made! It was so sweet!! I gave them their gifts and told them we didn’t have to say good-bye now, but we could do it after our classes (because they have the last time slot of the day). So after everything was over, I went out to try to find them. They were waiting by the door again, all of them looking sad and Christina was crying. Apparently she wouldn’t do anything in class today, and the rest of the class was pretty unresponsive as well. It was a tough good-bye, and the owner had to drag them away as I assume they had already missed their busses. By the time I got home I had emails awaiting me from them.
It is kids like these that make teaching the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I am just sorry that I was not at a school I could stay at.
From left to right: Heidi, Olivia, Christina, and Jenny
4 comments:
Isn't it interesting that you can look at teaching in two ways? I mean, you can view it from a personal (even often selfish) perspective of getting the most money, the best accommodations, etc., or it can be seen from the impact it has on the kids. Both aspects need to be weighed, but it seems like when our actions affect more than just ourselves it is so much harder to deal with. However, the other side it what often wins out when making decisions, and perhaps it should. For that reason it makes me sad that there are teaching institutions more concerned about making money and their own personal desires than for the kids. It puts you/us/all other teachers in a tough situation, but hopefully when good teachers leave places like that, something will finally 'click' and things will change, and the kids will eventually be better off. So even though it has to be difficult, you may be one more good teacher leaving that will cause the school to change for the better.
Great points, Chip ... and it could also be said "isn't it interesting that you can look at LIFE in two ways?" ... you can view it from a personal perspective of getting the most for yourself or you can live your life in a way that gives the most to others in a God-pleasing manner. Both are continual struggles for most of us and that is the reality of life on this earth ~ we therefore need to prayerfully consider all of our decisions and continually seek guidance from those whose values & beliefs are in sync with what we believe to be true and significant. We will undoubtedly make mistakes along the way, but it may be from those mistakes that we learn the most.
I am sad to see Kyle leaving those kids early ~ I believe it will be a loss for them as well as Kyle.
let's drink beer.
u just enjoy your time in Cambodia and come back with a fresh mind...we all know that schools are like this everywhere in Korea...just have to accept it and do it the 'Korean way' otherwise you'll always stress yourself out!
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