Miss Laura

The first week as an English Teacher in Russia was quite the experience. My week went from "I can't do this, I'm going to die" to "Okay, I think I can survive and I kinda love these kids". I'm not kidding when I say that I thought I was going to die. My first day teaching was overwhelming and discouraging. I honestly thought about drinking unclean water so that I would be sick and couldn't teach the next day. Thoughts of having to teach for another 4 months made me want to cry.
However, with encouragement from Shea, my family, and the other teachers I pushed through it. Two days later my whole attitude changed. Teaching was fun, exhausting but fun. I truly love these kids, even the naughty ones who never listen and hit other kids. I'm ready for this new roller coaster of teaching and growing.




A few things I have learned from this first week:
-Kids will try to get away with anything and everything
-it's okay to be stern and strict
-sometimes the kids won't like the activities no matter how much time you put into them
-when a student says 'I love you' it makes your whole week
-teaching is a hard job, but a worth while experience
-I can't help but smile when kids call me "Miss Laura"
-Time goes by faster when you are having fun
-I am learning more from my students than they are learning from me
-It's okay to feel discouraged, just keep going
-make friends wherever you go and life will be so much better
-life is about having joy and finding joy in every situation

A little bit about my job as an English Teacher. I teach the Basic Reading class to about 12 kids ranging in age from 6-8. Right now we are learning the letters of the alphabet and the sounds that they make. Each day we learn a new letter. We sing alphabet song, make crafts, learn to write letters, read and learn new words and play alphabet games. I teach two classes a day. The first class is from 14:00-16:00 and the second is from 16:00-18:00. My first class is quite large and crazy compared to my second class that only has 2-3 students. I love both classes and I can honestly say I am exhausted when I finish my day.

Advice from an girl who almost gave up:
Life is hard, sometimes we want to give up. Find people who encourage you to keep going and learn to find the joy in every situation. 

-Laura Burke (soon to be Frazier)