New School

It seems that since I got to Thailand I have been given an enormous amount of luck. First with being put on the Royal Thai Marine base and been shown an amazing amount of respect as a teacher. I made great friends and was taken care of by everyone I knew and didn’t know for that matter. I was worried about moving to a whole new school, new students, new teachers, and new town. Nothing about it is familiar or comfortable. But it’s supposed to be an adventure right? First day of school went on with out a hitch. Not only am I teaching a whole new age group, but also I have my own Thai assistant, and my own classroom that she brings the students to everyday. I’m decorating the room with the children’s work and drawings too. The classroom is beautiful with bright colors painted on the walls.   

 
 

Actually the school its self is painted pink and blue and orange. It’s amazing. The difference in the student’s behavior is a complete 180 from my old school too. These students actually pay attention and want to learn. Well, most of the time. I only have 30 in each class instead of the 45 before. This makes a world of difference. And the greatest feeling about it all is when I go to lunch and 6 or 7 students will sit next to me and try and speak English. Well the extent of the transaction is them point to something and saying, “flower, chicken, pig, blue, pink, ice cream.” Then they follow me back to the classroom the rest of my break period. When they finally have to leave they wrap their little arms around my waist and give me a big hug. Then there’s my schedule. I don’t start work on Mondays until 12:30. On Thursdays and Fridays I finish at 1:30 and the rest of the week I start ay 8:30 and finished at 3:30. It’s just perfect. The only down side I see so far is that since I’m only at school the hours I have class and I have my own room, I don’t get to interact with the other Thai teachers and that was something I really enjoyed at my last school. It’s like I come for the job then leave. Though there is one teacher who is incredibly nice. Most mornings he either brings me iced tea in the little plastic bags that people drink out of here or a bag of fruit. So I’m sure I just have to give it some time and I’ll have gotten to know the others fairly well. I hope. It’s only been a week and I’m so glad I made a change to try a new challenge. I’m going into this taking it head on!