I love my students. I mean I really love my students. If I could bring them all with me to America I would. Although not sure if my mom would like 250 grandkids. They make even the worst day better. I know that whatever crap I go through with my teachers, they are always there to support me and comfort me and today I needed the comfort. It all started with taking 53 of my student on a field trip to the local tea factory…alone! I guess no other teacher could be bothered to show up on time. But they are my kids and so they tried really hard to make it stress free for me. We had fun and it was a great learning experience for them. Upon returning, I purchased oranges and sweets for them. I handed it out and felt ready to pass out I was so tired. Although they were on their best behavior, Im like a mother hen when it comes to them and so just watching after them is tiring. Haha. As I was headed home, I stopped by my class to make sure all was well. I noticed 3 of the teachers all in class 7. I call them the 3 musketeers for Satan. They don’t really like me much. From the 1st yr, I’ve had problems with Satan’s musketeers. They are rude to me, disrespectful and undermine me in front of students and teachers. They treat me like a student and if they could get away with it, they wouldn’t think twice to taking a cane to me. One teacher was handing one of my oranges to a student who didn’t go on the field trip. I took it from her and asked what was up? Another teacher had an orange in her hand and was refusing to give it to the student. She said it was exam time, not eating time. I said ok, give the orange back to the student and tell them to put it in their desks. Problem solved…..nope. The teacher refused to talk with me and to give the student back the orange. Ok maybe Im more like a mama lion then a mama hen when it comes to my kids. I have to be since Satan’s musketeers beat the kids any chance they get and treat them like they are sub human. So I followed her trying to talk with her. No luck. She decided it would be better to act like a child then an adult. I knew I wasn’t getting anywhere with her and I was getting upset, I probably used some unlady like language. Good thing my students are deaf. So I left to cool off. Did the problem get resolved? Nope not even close.
I know my stay here may not change anything right now. But how can I leave knowing my babies have to stay with Satan’s musketeers? It breaks my heart knowing Im leaving and they are staying here. These teachers don’t ever show these students any kindness. Their relationship I could probably liken to slave and master. With 4 months left and leaning towards not extending, Im thinking back on my experience and wondering if I did enough for my students. Did I make enough of an impact that they will remember me and not the bad teachers who oppress them? Will they try to go for secondary school or even university? Or will they give up and listen to the musketeers and just think primary school is enough?
Later that night I went up to the school and take some of the young ones back to the dorms. The minute I got to the dinning hall, I was surrounded by my students, giving me hugs and kisses. My kids always know what makes me feel better. I played with them a bit and then took the babies to bed. I was in the girls dorm and the older girls took me to a corner and asked what are Satan’s musketeers fighting with me about? I didn’t want to cause problems so I said I don’t know and just because I have problems with them, doesn’t mean they should. The girls then went one by one telling me how they want the 3 musketeers out and me to stay, how they quarrel with them and beat them and the students don’t know why. I know I was getting into dangerous waters and didn’t want to bad mouth the teachers in front of the children. So I told them, I understood their issues and I’ll try to be there for them but that I was leaving in Dec. I also told them they can all be stronger and prove to the musketeers they are smart and can go to college. That this too shall pass. If they were patient and continued their studies and not let the musketeers get to them, they had a chance of going to secondary school. I encouraged them to prove to themselves and the other teachers that children who are deaf CAN go to secondary school and university. I told them I loved them and then wished them sweet dreams.
I love my students and I think they know that. Im just going to have to think positive that it’s enough.
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