Back to Teaching

This week marks the beginning of the new school year here in Korea. I have a new co-teacher and about 150 new students. I taught my first classes of the new year today, and was pleased that everything went smoothly. Yesterday, I attended a ceremony for the schools new first graders and incoming 6th graders. The gym was packed with about 200 first graders, many of their parents, about 175 6th graders, and most of the schools teachers. I was the only person their who didn't understand a word of the ceremony. This situation gave my mind ample time to wander and I had an interesting thought. I was remembering my own first day of school, and suddenly realized that I only finished "school" less than a year ago. It was strange to think that most of those first graders would be in school until they were my age. I couldn't help thinking that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Okay, its not that interesting, but I didn't have anything else to think about as I was standing there.