Life as Gabrielle Teacher

           Since I have never been a teacher before, everyday seems to be a new experience as I learn just as much, if not more, than my students. It truly is quite a different ball game than teaching in the U.S., as I have heard from my fellow ETAs with education backgrounds. I have found that sometimes teaching is energizing, while other times it is draining. But at the end of the day, I am glad I decided to take up teaching, at least for this one year. Although I intend to pursue medicine and go on to medical school after this grant year, I believe this one year teaching has taught me much more than I will ever know.

Just a brief rundown of my school information, my school, Hwacheon Elementary School, is located a beautiful 12 minute walk away from the Desian Apartments, the military apartment complex I live in. I am one of the only Fulbright ETAs that is fortunate enough to have a fellow ETA working at the same school. I couldn’t be happier to see Chelsea, the other ETA, everyday, and share teaching ideas, failures and successes, and goofy moments together. Chelsea teaches the 5^th and 3^rd graders while I teach the 6^th and 4^th graders. We both split the 2^nd grade class – so I only have them once a week. I also have two really small afterschool classes – one with anywhere from 2-5 students and the other with anywhere from 1-3 students. In total I would say I have about 200 students or less. And yes, I am attempting to learn their names.

My sixth grade bunch ^^

Upon first arriving, ALL the students would bow as we crossed paths and they murmured their greetings. It’s quite an elated feeling to see this respect coming from so many children. Walking through the halls, I will often hear children shouting “Gabrielle Teacher” (since this is the way the address us here) to get my attention. The ten minute breaks between classes are often filled with finding out my student’s favorite colors, making secret handshakes or giving high fives. After lunch, there is a group of 6^th grade girls that always hang out by my office and I end up hanging out with them, chatting about whatever ideas we can get across successfully.  Although it’s difficult to communicate with them due to their minimal English and my even more so minimal Korean, it’s neat to see connections being made regardless of nationality and language abilities. There is this one 3^rd grader (whom I don’t even have for class) who gives me the biggest hug and her face lights up every time she sees me. In all reality, she hardly knows a thing about me, but she still acts as if we are best friends, as if I have some special role in her life. In many other ways, I have found such an openness and hospitality here in Korea where people will love on you, just for who you are, and not for anything they know about you.

As I have mentioned before, everyday is full of surprises. Some days I will not have any classes planned for the entire morning but will get a phone call telling me I have class in five minutes. Thank God for improv and being on your toes. One day, I went into the 6^th grade office and found the room filled with cages of guinea pigs, hedgehogs and hamsters! I was informed that the students raise these animals for their form of home economics class. Another day, I was not informed but half of our students were gone for some sports day competition. Since not enough students were there to instruct, we ended up playing games and watching K-pop songs or movies instead. This year is definitely full of spontaneity and opportunities for creative ideas. 

Meet Mr. Timmy - my sock puppet I made for my 2nd grade class

My creative way of teaching my students prepositions, "Gabrielle Teacher is UNDER the desk."