Okay, so I work in an all girls middle school 4 days a week and they are so precious to me. Sometimes we have...HARD DAYS, but I really care for them^^ It's amazing how much you can care about people (hundreds of them) even though you may only exchange "hello" every once and a while, small chitchat or nothing at all (b/c of the language barrier--or maybe they just don't want to talk to me, okay, that may be it). I'd say there are about...10-15 students that are fairly confident in their English and are not too afraid to talk to me (yay!). The street does go both ways though; sometimes I am intimidated to talk to them. What an honor to have the opportunity to be around and encourage this generation--they were made for greatness.
We (English teachers) were told at orientation that middle school is the "most difficult" grade to teach. When I heard that I thought, "well, my first choice is elementary, so I don't have to worry about that..." Well, here I am. Students have to make a lot of adjustments from (relatively care-free) elementary school to middle school and then having to think about high school, which, in Korean is sometimes thought of as harder than college. They must take an entrance exam for high school and in high school, they must take a VERY INTENSE exam for college. AND on top of all of this, they are going through puberty. This does not even include family life and friends. Sometimes I think "what IN THE WORLD is going on with this girl?!" and then I am quickly reminded that I was not the most pleasant person to be around in middle school (or high school and some of college for that matter--just ask my mom. Poor mom, what a trooper). I think "why don't they just STOP talking? It's WAY easier than arguing with me." Then Callie reminds me that I found it necessary to argue with our mother even though I could have just kept my mouth shut. Well, there is a reasonable explanation for that: I was RIGHT and NEEDED my mom to understand that fact. By the grace of God (and my mother) I am still alive today.
The gals who have a hard time listening: I have a fight in my spirit for them. Of course, this is a bit easier to say when I am at home sipping my rosemary tea, BUT I must choose to fight and not stay angry, give up on or ignore them.
I am not fighting against them, but against their anger, depression, hopelessness, sorrow, fear, insecurity--something deeper than outward behavior (Ephesians 6:12). And I GOT PICKED, hand picked to tell them the truth (Isaiah 61) about themselves: they are beautiful because God made them--fact, no opinions aloud. Their thoughts and ideas are important NOW, not just when they're older (1 Timothy 4:12). They are not a mistake and they can do ANYTHING (Psalm 139:14 and Philippians 4:13). There is the practical discipline side of this when students don't listen and definitely times when I just break down and cry (don't worry, I wait until they leave the classroom) because of the stress, but I persevere by the grace of God (and wisdom from friends and family).
Sometimes...okay, a lot of the time, we will do some sort of art project in English class (it's like an art class with an English speaking teacher ;). There is something about art that let's people do whatever they want and it will be right. "No! Blue?! Are you kidding? That's wrong!"--that doesn't happen. I picked blue because I like it and if you don't like it, you can deal. There is a freedom. It's so fun to encourage them in their creativity--oh, my, they are SO creative. It's fun to get to know them and encourage them in their future hopes and dreams (doctors, fashion designers, teachers, moms/wives, or one of my favorites and very close to home: undecided :) I don't know why, but for some reason society doesn't appreciate the "undecided." Undecided is a great place to be--discover, explore, think...no pressure if you don't know what you want yet to do in college :D I just feel like a big sister or aunt or SOMETHING. Of course, some still laugh (a nervous, worried laugh) and quickly walk/run away from me when I try to talk to them (English can be intimidating, you know). There you have it. The people I work with.
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