A new year. A new school.

Recently I have just passed the 2 month mark at my new school.
I moved at the end of August across to a local elementary school in the area. I was lucky enough to not have to change apartments - I just take a 10 minute bus to school each morning.

I will start by saying that teaching elementary school is drastically different from teaching High school boys. As much as I am very happy for the move, I will take a moment to say that I was very sad to say goodbye to my high school students.

Last lesson with my High level 2nd grade class (17 year olds). They were secretly my favourite class!

When I think back upon arriving in a completely overwhelming situation last year, in a school where coteachers refused to come to class and students were physically punished for misbehaving. I rounded out the year being very comfortable and happy teaching teenagers about life and English. A boys high school in Korea is somewhere I never thought I'd find myself.

Sad to say goodbye!

Saying goodbye in my last staff meeting. To the left is the principal.

I have come to realise, that despite the hormones, High school students have the best senses of humor. Most of all the respect you eventually gain with these young men is hard earned but means so much when it is demonstrated in class.

Remembering back to the FIFA world cup soccer final with the students.

I am lucky enough to have remained in the same town and still see my students all the time. I laughed at a student at NH bank, who looked like he had seen a ghost after I said "hello" to him.
"Teacher. you are here? ooohhh"
I think he believed that as teachers we cease to exist if we dont work at the same school anymore.

Moving foward to my new school has been a very easy and comfortable transition. What a great change elementary school has been. It is so nice to teach sweet and enthusiastic students each day, who cannot wait to come to English class. I have also found myself in a English office of three other teachers who, care very much about the students and how they learn. It is very refreshing to hear students shout "hello" across the school when they see me and fight eachother just to give an answer in class.

The view from my office window.

I have had particular fun getting to meets my students in Kindergarten class - who are only 4 years old! I am currently teaching them the alphabet and how to say 'Hello'.