In one of the slums teaching English 
(Sanuk my Saturday)
This week marked the official end of the first semester of school here in Thailand. I didn’t see any students this week, because they took their English exams last week and this week they were taking regular exams. Next week we have English camps for second and third graders whose parents signed them up. It’ll be fun for sure- just crazy! I love these boys but they have a TON of energy! That means Teacher Alyse has to have a lot of energy as well. So night owl Alyse went goodbye…it was a tragic goodbye.
I guess this post is a reflective post for me and a look into my life for everyone else. So enjoy!
Last week we gave exams and let me tell you, I was stressed out for some of these kids! Not all of my students are extremely gifted at English (although many are) and therefore taking exams for them is not easy. Several did not finish, but I try to give them extra time to finish. Either way, they have to pass. Thai law and all- you can’t fail a student. They get 50% one way or the other. It frustrates me as a teacher, but I do my best anyhow and expect the most out of my students. On top of testing my students last week, we had to finish writing student reports. I’ll spare you the intense details, but just to give you an idea- I have 80 students and I have to write about 9 different things and leave a comment for each student, as well as enter all their grades. Stressful finishing, but they’ve been edited and re-edited several times and the final copies were turned in this week!
This week was student-less, and let me tell you- I have enjoyed it immensely! I love my boys but the quiet is so nice! This week was pretty low key. We prepared things for camp next week, edited reports, and ate A LOT. The bad thing about no students is that we have a lot more free time, and we eat more. I think I found all that weight I lost…haha. Anyhow, low key week= good for the teacher’s soul. Next week is camp week, and after that, me and a few other teachers head to a province in the northeast called Sah Gaao. We’ll be teaching English to children who live there while our BCC students and Thai teachers are doing projects and other activities. I’m really excited to be going out of town for a few days!
The teachers go on fall break in the middle of October. The boys get a month, and we’ll get about two weeks. I am planning on going to the north of Thailand to see some friends. I’m excited about seeing them and leaving the busy city life for awhile. Little jealous of Christin since she’s going back to the states for two weeks, but soon enough and I’ll be back for a bit!
There’s so much going on and I haven’t even updated you guys on everything! If you ever want to know what’s going on in my life, feel free to facebook me! I love you all and miss you so much!
อลิส (Alyse)
But for this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth. Exodus 9:16 (AMP)
