Least You Think It's All Rose Colored Glasses

Dear Friend,

I seriously want to go HOME right now….I’m so frustrated I think I might cry. I'm feeling overwhelmed today. I don't have the energy to keep doing this job. 

My students are so disrespectful—there are some students who just do NOT know common courtesy or appropriate behavior no matter what you do to help them. I literally could not teach a lesson today.

I am sitting in my class and they are not here. I have no idea where they are….I checked my email messages and they are not scheduled for any activity that would take them from my class. I can’t leave the room because they might show up. And on top of all that, there are kids slamming doors in the hallway when I'm pretty sure they are supposed to be in class. 

Today, I want to book my ticked home for good. There are good parts about this job, but today it all just feels like too much. 

Newbie

Dear Newbie,

I’m so sorry. I was right there with you last week. Hang in there. Remember, it’s only a job. Yes, we know the importance of an education, but we are not in Kansas any more, so we don’t know the system which makes it that much harder. Breathe. That is all you need to do. Teach what you can and let the rest go. Let go of the disrespect, let go of the laissez-faire attitude, let go of the disorganization  You cannot change these things. The only thing you can do is show up for your job and do what you can. And, that my friend, will be enough. Promise.

As hard as teaching in a foreign country is, I do think we are all here to learn a lesson. Sometimes it’s patience, sometimes it’s to laugh at ourselves, sometimes it’s to appreciate the things we had at home. We took this big leap of faith knowing that it was going to be challenging, and we still said yes. I know I didn't know how hard it would be at times, but we are going to come out on the end stronger people and better teachers because of this experience.

I knew this year wasn't going to be my best year teaching; the first year at any job is never our best. But I guarantee that the kids will learn more than you think. Focus on the good kids. The ones we like, and who like us,  and the ones who are appreciative of our efforts. They are in our classrooms and our hallways, but it's easy to get caught up in the yuck so much so that we forget those goodies are out there! 

Hang in there! Let me know if you need anything. I have Patron at my house!:)

Talk to you later!!
Friend