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Posts from the ‘Teaching’ Category

Sep 15

My 5th graders

One Year Teaching in China

It’s been a little over a year since I first came to China as a teacher. Around this time last year, I was sweating it out in front of my students feeling like I was totally unqualified. At the end of the year, I was feeling comfortable at the very least, and a little less unqualified.

As I run the job interview gauntlet here in Shanghai, many potential employers have asked me why I started teaching and why I stopped. Here’s the thing. Teaching in Shanghai was awesome. It was an easy way to come to China and it was a great way to get my feet wet. I stepped off the plane and immediately had employment, an apartment, and 80 potential friends. Not only was I able to easily live in China, I also had a hell of a lot of vacation!

Now that the new school year is in full swing and my teacher friends regale with me with stories of the latest student antics, I find myself missing it a bit. My job situation isn’t fully sorted out and I ACTUALLY have to pay for an apartment in Shanghai. I’ve questioned whether I made the right choice to stop teaching.

Ultimately I know it wasn’t a good fit for my long term plans. I think it’s possible to live in Shanghai and have a career outside of English education. I say this with confidence, but a poor, unemployed Camden stranded in China a couple months down the road might think differently. For now, I remember my year of teaching in China fondly and look optimistically to the unknown future!

Some highlights of my year are below.

I bribed them to dress up for Halloween. Some were more successful than others.

 

A teachers' dance performance of 'Kung Fu Fighting' at the talent show. My side kick could use some work.

 

p.s. If you’re looking to come to China as a teacher, I recommend Marshall University’s Teach in China program.

Nov 1

2 Comments

Midterm Woes

There is no excuse for our lack of posts, dear readers. But might I ask you to consider that we are in the throes of midterm season, and our school demands a lot from us? It turns out that creating a midterm at our school is a multistep process.

  1. Create a midterm with the other teachers teaching the same subject.
  2. Ensure that 50% of your test questions are the same as the level directly above yours.
  3. Submit the test for proofing.
  4. Make corrections.
  5. Submit the final test to the department head for approval.
  6. Make copies.
  7. Label each test with the student’s name.
  8. Submit the copies to the Director’s office.
  9. Submit the answer key to the Director’s office.
  10. Submit a copy of the test for archiving to the Foreign Affairs Office.
  11. Proctor exams for other subjects.
  12. And the list goes on…

So maybe, just maybe you can accept this excuse for our poor posting record this month?

Sep 8

6 Comments

Guest Post by Tricia: Welcome to our ‘hood

Hello! Things in Shanghai have been moving right along, especially with the start of school. Tomorrow we will have completed a full week and I definitely feel like I’m getting the hang of it. Teaching at Shanghai High School International Division is a lot of work. Most of the teachers from last year left behind resources for the new teachers, but some did not… and so the new teachers have to make all new lesson plans for the entire semester. It’s a lot of work. I am flying by the seat of my pants for one of my classes!

We’ve explored our neighborhood more and are so glad to live in the “boonies.” On the street outside our school, we now have a slushie/bubble tea place, a bakery, a bread spot on the street, a woman who makes fried bread/egg/cheese treats, a stationary store that is like Sanrio Heaven. I love it! Also, you can always catch people in their jammies all day (it’s a strange fashion statement) and babies with crotchless onesies peeing on the sidewalk. It’s heartwarming.

Also on our street is our new Chinese tutor. We met with her last night for the first time with 2 of our friends here and we’re so excited to be able to communicate with cab drivers and the bread lady soon!

It’s a slow process, but Shanghai is beginning to feel more like home.

Aug 31

5 Comments

First Day of School

Students

Students at Shanghai High School

Tomorrow is our first day of school here at Shanghai High School International Division. We’ve come to find out that we’re incredibly lucky to be teachers here. We have diverse students, the grades we give actually affect the students’ gpa’s, and we are supported and respected by the administration (for now at least).

Camden is teaching…
-5th grade Homeroom
-5th grade ESL
-7th grade History for ESL
-8th grade History for ESL

Tricia is teaching…
-7th grade ESL
-8th grade Geography
-8th grade Advanced English

Needless to say, we’ve been in our offices for a few days straight now, re-learning the material and preparing lesson plans. I for one need to brush up on my knowledge of Mesopotamia! We haven’t had much time to update the blog, but we promise we’ll be regularly posting once this school craziness subsides.

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