Today was the first time that I have been on the other side of the looking glass when it comes to graduation. This is the first time I have attended a graduation ceremony as a teacher.
I have to say I am surprised by how much I will miss some of my middle school students. I only was their teacher for about 5 months (having come into school in the second semester), but I was able to develop a really great connection with some of my students. Even the kids who I didn’t get to talk to as much, I wish I had a chance to get to know them better.
Overall, after my first semester teaching English I have had a really positive experience. My students were a lot of fun (for the most part) and I hope I will stay in touch with the ones who have meant a lot to me.
I am curious where my students end up and how their English will improve over the years.
I didn’t get a chance to take photos with everyone I wanted to, but here are some photos of me and my students:
Hee Jin & Yeji
Oo Jin & Do Geun
As a rule, Korean boys don't like to smile in their photos. He looks so unhappy!
Thinking about this makes me really appreciative of all my former teachers who have impacted my life for the better. Every teacher has left some kind of mark on my life and I am grateful to those who made class interesting and fun.
One of the classes that has had the longest impact on me has been #ds106. Even now, years later, I am still thinking about #ds106 and how I should be creating art and other materials for it.
I might not have as much time as I would like to devote to it, but I still want to be a part of it whenever I can. #ds1064lyfe.
Yours is an inspirational ds106 story for not only UMW students, but people caught up in the fad of open courses — the very fact that you are still motivated to create and share says a lot about the ds106 experience.
Keep those valentine card challenges coming!
DS106 is addicting!! haha