WRITING FROM THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND
Blog
Essays and reflections on teaching, learning, life abroad, change, grief, creativity, and the experiences that shape how we understand ourselves.
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The Waterfall That Wasn’t
Yesterday, I got out of the city for a hike in the woods. Daejeon is surrounded by mountains, and I found a hike in Gyeryongsan National Park that is easily accessible by public transportation. The research I did…
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People Don’t Know What They Want Until You Give Them What They Don’t Want
At many stages in my life, I have come to the same realization: people don’t know what they want until you give them what they don’t want. Since I started teaching in Korea, I have learned that the…
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Good Moments, Hard Days
What Is Going Well Something clicked last week with my four full-time six-year-olds. Out of nowhere, their English just…leveled up. Their comprehension is better. Their speaking is better. It honestly caught me off guard. I don’t think they…
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Less Activity, More Drama
This week was quieter on the surface—fewer plans, more time at home—but somehow heavier than the ones packed with activity. Less movement, more tension. It started with an incident in the classroom—a student crossed a professional boundary. I…
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Small Wins, Big Feelings
Since my last blog entry, there’s been more bonding among the foreign teachers. We’ve had a few dinners and even spent some time grabbing drinks at the bar. At school, I’ve become more comfortable with the routine and…
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Settling In, One “Ah-choo” at a Time
Life in Korea just got a lot easier—thanks to my Alien Registration Card (ARC). With my official ID in hand, I’ve opened a Korean bank account, gotten a SIM card, and finally escaped the tyranny of international transaction…
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The Week My Voice Quit Teaching
This past week at school felt a little less chaotic. I’m finally starting to get the hang of my schedule, my students, and my coworkers. Things are starting to feel slightly more normal—which of course means something else…
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My First Week Teaching Kindergarten in Korea: Chaos, Confusion, and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
No one tells you what the first week of teaching kindergarten ESL abroad is really like. It involves confusion, tiny humans, unexpected hugs, and doing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” more times than should be medically advisable. To…
