August 5- Mommy the teacher

Today was my first official day as “teacher”. I LOVED it! I have my very own classroom, and my very own students! Even though I’d sat in on several classes, this was my first time “on my own.” The administrator didn’t even sit in on my class!
My first class has 6 students. They're all 10 years old, and so full of energy. They were very excited and had lots of questions for me. I brought pictures of the babies with me, and everyone loved looking at them. I told them a few stories about my crazy babies, and when they were leaving one little girl handed me the pictures I had brought in and said, “here teacher, crazy babies!” My second period class will also have 6 students, but only 5 were present today. They’re all 11-12 year old, and a little more subdued. And my final class will again have 6 students, but only 4 were in attendance (today was a holiday in Korea). My last class is 12-13 years old, and definitely my quietest class. I will say, you definitely need to have some knowledge of the Korean language, but these kids really have a very good English foundation. Of course, every class has one student who is particularly good at English, and 2 of my classes had one child who was really struggling and needed a little extra attention.
Overall it was very exciting, and I cannot wait to go back on Thursday. I think this job might just be the perfect fit for me!
On the downside, the kids did not get their afternoon nap. Michael beat me home, and said when he came home both babies were refusing to go to sleep for the nanny. We may have to reconsider who puts them down for their nap. Our neighbor Sarah has offered to come down to our house on the afternoons I work and put them to bed (she puts her daughter, Eve, down in a similar way to how I put Ella and Sterling down for naps). Michael was beat by the time he went to bed last night. He had 2 cranky babies on his own all evening while I went to my Korean language class!

I know the above picture is kind of bizzare...one of my students was playing with my camera and snapped this while I wasn't paying attention. I figured at least you could see me in my classroom!
These are “my” children at Tun Tun English Academy. I’m having so much fun with my new job, and I’m so excited to give you a small glimpse at my students. They’re all really great kids. I think I got really lucky…I really do think all of my classes have the very best students! So, let me introduce you to (from L-R):
1st row: Sarah, Princess, Rex, Julie, Jack, Emily,
2nd row: Jenny, Andy, Michael, Lavish, Sandrah, Philip,
3rd row: Lynn, Jackson, Sarah, Catherine, Michael, David
Of course, these are all just their “English” names. Most Korean children pick an English name when they first begin their English instruction, and continue to use it through out their schooling. Some adults even retain their English names when they enter the business world if they will often be working with westerners. All of my children except for one had already picked their names…I love Princess and Lavish! Who knows where they came up with those?! I did help one little boy pick out his name. He decided upon Michael, and no I swear I wasn’t pushing the name on him! I was just throwing boy names out and that was the one he picked.