Working at ChildU

My new job is a kindergarten teacher at ChildU. This is a private academy chain focusing on elementary students. My location recently started a kindergarten in the building, and I was hired to be the primary, full-time English kindergarten teacher. It is nice to be back at a school where I can get to know the students. I am lucky enough to have great co-workers, lots of resources, and support whenever I need it. Today marks 2 full months of employment here, and 20 months living in Korea. I am happy with the change. 

Here are some shots from my first few weeks...

Art class

 Sculpting with clay

Painting with an afternoon kindergarten class

Science lab with afternoon kindergarten

Cooking field trip

Going to see Hansel and Gretel, a play

This is all of the morning kindgarteners. The program is still growing, we have had two more kids join the morning since this shot was taken, and have interviews for 6 more! It is nice to work at a school that is expanding and improving. 

You can read my posts regarding afterschool programs vs. hagwons here:

ALS afterschool

St. Louis English Academy

Field Trip to the Zoo!

This month we took a field trip to the zoo in Daegu.

Hahah. Bros.

Blair, Corinne's replacement, KR and Ms. Mina.

James and Ellie from KE.

Ally from KE thinks that the zebra is stinky.

KA posing on a bench.

KA using the buddy system.

Ms. Mina led a game for the students who were finished eating. It was a game that combined "red light/green light" and spider tag. The kids were very impressed.

Frozen, waiting for Ms. Mina to turn again so they could run towards her.

Bears, passed out in the only shade from the hot sun.

Goofing around after lunch.

The very exciting elephants.

From what I've gathered, the zoos here have very small accommodations for the animals. This was the case in Daegu's zoo. It was mildly depressing, so I tried not to post many pictures of the animals. The kids were thrilled nonetheless. It was nice to see them playing outside and excited about everything. Overall, I'm glad we went because it made the students happy, but I wouldn't recommend a friend going for their own enjoyment.

Police Station Field Trip

This month's field trip was to a police station. The kids tried on miniature uniforms, got to check out a police motorcycle, and saw this huge room full of screens steaming CCTV. In Korea, they have a lot of CCTV (closed captioned television) which monitors the streets and most buildings. It was totally creepy seeing the other end of the camera.

This is the new KE class - if you remember pictures of the former KE students. I am their homeroom teacher.

KA, the youngest kids, waiting for their turn.

James, he is in KE.

KA on the bike!

Ruby and Anna from KR

All of KR

Jinny in KA.

Ally and Matthew in KE

Walls of screens.

Hope everyone back home had a great Easter, by the way. Thanks for all the cards and candy!

Sweet Potato Farm

November's field trip was a day at Goo-Am Village, the folk village I went to in September on the Daegu City Tour. We were going to dig up potatoes with the kindergarten students.

Michelle, our director, is showing the kids how to use the tools for digging up potatoes.

The village is on beautiful Palgong Mountain.

Joanne, my coworker, helping the kids pack their bags for optimal potato fitting. She's traveled all over and is truly kind and intelligent. Joanne really is one of my favorite people at St. Louis.

Wini and Mina - Wini is one of our newer students. I teach their class first, and they are always diligent and excited to learn .

This is my wonderful homeroom class, K-E

Korean style swings, the kids loved them. I was worried they were going to wipe out jumping off of them, but luckily there were no injuries.

Cindy and Julia, their class is awesome.

We were finding bugs.

Earlier this month I realized I have now been in Korea for over 100 days. This means that I've been in Korea for over three months, which leaves nine more here. I feel like I have established a life here. Its nice to have groups of friends and people I can count on. I've met so many people from all around the world, it really is an amazing experience. I have had friends leave, which is hard, but am comforted knowing that most of my close friends here will be here at least another 6 to 9 months with me. Its nice to be able to say that I am happy with my life.