School is back in session

So Monday began day one of year 11 of teaching. Even though I have been in this teaching game for 10 years now I am amazed that this year in particular I finally feel like I know what to do. Like I'm no longer a rookie, which is funny since it has been a long time since I started. 

I am team lead this year meaning I am overseaing all 3 kinder classes and the liaison between my team and my boss. I was so incredibly nervous to fill this spot as my premises or was really good at it. Turns out nothing has blown up yet! Granted it is only week one finished but I was certain the whole school would burn down in that first week. And even better my team is awesome! I'm sure we will have our conflicts throughout the year but we seem able to compromise easily and talk honestly with each other. I feel so blessed to have them. 

At the end of last school I had hand picked an awesome intern that I was really excited to work with this year. Unfortunately Korea decided he couldn't switch from his student visa to a work visa and 2 weeks before I returned I learned I would have to try to replace him.  My boss sent me the resume of a recent UVA grad. A girl name Liz. I called and chatted with her for a bit and got the sense she was easy going and hard working but the true test would be when we began working. She is amazing!  From the first meet and greet with students she has been full on. We have an active class and I'm sure I would not survive the day without her constant help. She stayed with me until almost 7pm all week working in the classroom because we are usually chatting and  I forget to tell her to go home. So instead I take her out to eat and introduce her to new Korean foods (which she also loves!) 

So all in all the start of year 11 has been a good one. I feel so thankful for all the teachers I have learned from especially Marla and Casey as they pasted on so much of who I am as a teacher. I am blessed to have so many wize and varied teachers in my family and friends. Many family members who retired and pass on wisdom and friends like Mandy who are just heading into the field and challenge me to keep getting better at what I love. 

This is some of my awesome team including the 2 other lead teachers Brian and Aniela and my intern Liz with an added bonus of Brian's girlfriend Emily (also a teacher but college level)

Thank you to all the teachers who have touched my life! 💜

Out with the old??

At the end of last year I was left with the sinking feeling that too many important people (to me) at school were leaving. I was worried that I was losing good friends. How do could they ever be replaced. 

Well they can't be replaced but you can make room for new people. For the passed week I have been surrounded by positivity and happiness. Turns out I am really excited for this year even if I do still miss the "old" crew. 

After the storm

A view from my bedroom after a cool thunderstorm rolled through. The middle building is the tallest in Korea that I was able to go up in last night! 

Songdo at night

So the tallest building in Korea finally opened with a hotel at the top. This is from the 36th floor of the building where the lobby and restaurant of the hotel are. It is an awesome view of Central Park that the pictures just don't do justice! But hopefully you get the idea. 

A nice view of Songdo

So this is a top news station in Korea, think like NBC or CNN coming to Chadwick.  KBS was doing a documentary on Global cities and of course Songdo was one.  In this video there are a few Cities visited. Songdo starts about 25:25 into the video

The is the man they interview and yes he speaks fluent korean at the beginning of the video!

The second guy you see is Stan Gale who is the CEO of Gale international.  This man basically founded Songdo.  This is his brain child and he is brilliant but borders a bit on crazy haha

Towards minute 33 you see a shopping area called NC cube.  This was called Canal walk when I arrived and was where I was originally going to live.  However when I arrived it was a ghost town.  There were NO businesses and definitely NO people.  Look at what it is now!

HA, watching this there is a lady who owns a coffee shop with English books, they follower her to her house.  I have totally met her husband in Starbucks before!  

and If you want to skip straight to my school it is about minute 38:

The first 2 teachers you see are Cris who teaches Kindergarten in the CA campus but come to teach summer school in Korea.  She and I went to italy this past year together to study the Reggio Emilia style.  The guy is Brian Wiemann my intern!!

In the pool is Gunther our aquatics director.

Then they show the University Global Campus and our friend Alex is a professor there.  He is the one teaching!

This is a great way to actually see songdo.  Mom and dad you will see how much it has changed since you were here.  These are not digital images but actual footage of driving and walking through Songdo.  Check it out!

And here is the video

Kindergarten play

Our amazing production of "Uno's Garden" last year.  So proud of these kids and my team!

Here is a LINK to the video :)

Hula hooping...

During the basketball half time these little kindergartners came on the court. I was so impressed...but my favorite is the little boy in the last row that, throughout the whole show, never gets up. Way to stick to your guns kid! ;) Maybe I should teach my class to do this...Nah that would mean I would have to learn it first.