FIRST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL TERM

It was a very interesting week at school as the students returned for the start of Term 1/2007.  Our school has some 800 kids in the English Programme, 85 of whom I will see each each as the Reading instructor for Primary 3.  I had a lot of fun in my classes this week; these children will be a joy to teach.

I was just getting into my daily routine when I was called to substitute for a P.1 class on Monday; as the Reading teacher I will occasionally be required to fill in as homeroom teachers become ill or need to go on visa runs, etc.  I was a bit nervous going in but the small students were a lot of fun and really kept me on my toes!

I've also been recruited to help with the Cub Scouts for Lower Primary one day each week.  That will be fun as I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout during my youth (and that led to a stint in Navy ROTC during my high school years).  I have really great memories of my experiences as a Scout.  However, it means that I will not be conducting a Friday Club for this term — I'd planned a Stamp & Coin Club but I'm sure I'll have a chance to do that at some point in the future.

The school has also arranged for me to give extra lessons to a P.6 student who actually attends my son's school.  His sister attends ours and his mother would like me to prepare him for the M.1 entrance exam.  I'm really looking forward to this and I'm gathering material so I do the best job I can.  I'll be doing these extra lessons on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings so it will be a nice ending to the week.

I want to say that I truly feel a part of something greater working at this school.  I get to participate in the shaping of young minds and helping these children become good citizens.  I've always been a believer of good morals and the school really stresses the importance of instilling these on the students.  Thailand is an awesome place to teach morals as one only has to look at the respect everyone gives to the Royal Family, elders, monks, etc. to feel a tremendous swelling of pride.  I do feel like I'm a member of the good guys for a change (something I didn't often feel in my last years in retail management).  The entire school staff — from upper management to the office staff, fellow teachers, even the cafeteria and housekeeping workers — constitutes a solid team.  Everyone I've come in contact with has been so gracious and so willing to help that I know I made the right decision by coming here.  I only hope that my own small contributions do help make an even stronger team.  I'm doing something I enjoy at work for the first time in many, many years and I look forward to going to work each and every day.

I mean, how right is it that myself — a lifelong avid reader — has become the reading teacher to 85 young students without even a mention of that love of reading in my resume or interview?

Cheers....

NOTE:  My blog entries about my teaching experiences will continue to be rather vague so as to protect the privacy of students, staff, indeed the school itself.  I trust my faithful readers, family, and friends understand my decision.