My tattoo

Tattoo

I got a tattoo in Busan while I was here. I wasn't going to and I normally hate people that just jump into getting a tattoo like this without thinking, but this one has special meaning to me, as cliched as it sounds. I got the word "sun-saeng-nim" in Hangul on my right chest. It means teacher. This trip helped solidify the fact that I really do want to be a teacher when I get back to Eastern. I was unsure, but after teaching these kids, I know in my heart that it's right. I'll be teaching high school level, but I don't think the level matters. 

• • Okay, so Giran 2nd grade: Cha Min Gi. Omg. He's a class clown. Talks nonstop. The weird thing is that he's actually learning even when he talks so much and he does have a heart outside of class.
  • 4th and 5th grade and Namseon:
  • Tai Wan in a cute chubby 4th grader who loves drawing and action cartoons. Super funny. Eun Jin is a cute girl who loves to draw, do boy things like dirt and bugs and climbing. Park Su Jin is a skinny girl who likes to be the center of attention, but not always in a bad way. Hai In is a doll. Great English and comes from a really nice family. Gives you respect and helps you translate to the other kids. Eun Song is a little shy but I think it's because she's in 4th grade. Tak Su Jin is loud and thinks she knows everything. It's hilarious. Acts like a princess, I love it.
• • The fourth graders at Giran are another one of my faves. Unfortunately, I don't know all of their names. Su Min is really cute. She's the one in my Facebook profile pic. She helped me with Korean and helped translate to the other kids. Hai Min was a really cute 4th grader too. Into cutsie things, loves hugs, cries easily. Orange glasses. haha. LOVES Angry Birds.
• • My 6th graders at Giran are awesome too.
  • Brian is the class clown, but he's a super sweetheart. He'll listen if you shush him. His mom is the super nice librarian.

• • Sunny is extremely smart. Has perfect English. You can have whole conversations with her.
  • Sometimes it's difficult teaching that class because you have such different levels. Like Jenny hates to speak out loud in class, so I'm not sure if she knows it or not.
  • Sarah and Victoria are shy but very smart.
  • Paul and David are nervous about English, but if you get them involved, they love it.
  • My Kindergarten class at Giran: Don't know any of their names. Just teach them songs and find cute videos on Youtube to accompany it. I brought books from home and played flashcard games with them using the main words. This went over well for me. They looooove books.
• • The songs they already know are, "Head, shoulders knees and toes," Phonics Song 2, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (video of an owl and star), Little Snowflake, Hickory Dickory dock (video of animals crawling up a grandfather clock, ends with an elephant breaking the clock), Rain, rain go away, and Dem Bones.

• First grade at Giran, there's only 4 of them. They like to do calmer things and it's fun to have intimate lessons with them.
• All the boys in 2nd grade at Namseon are a hassle.
• ByeongSu was helpful.
• 3rd grade, I only had them once a week, they were great at Giran.
• 5th grade at Giran are hilarious. A lot of times they're tired and hungry and think they're too cool, but if you act silly, they open up. 
  
  
• Oh 1st grade boys at Namseon are a problem, but the teacher next door helped me because they don't understand English, so they ignore my instructions and discipline.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You can't help but get attached to these students. I'm a teacher, and I'm proud of it. I couldn't love these students more if I tried. I cried when I had to say goodbye to them. A lot. 
  
  
  So I got a tattoo that says teacher. I'll always be one, whether it's teaching high schoolers, coming back to Korea, going somewhere else, joining the Peace Corps, or even teaching my own children in the future. I'm not ashamed and I can't wait to start my life when I get home. 

Dear TaLK Scholar

My letter to the next TaLK scholar who will  be in my apartment and working at my schools.

Dear Corey,

Welcome to Andong! Your first couple of weeks will be exhausting and overwhelming so I'm writing this so that maybe a few things can be cleared up and out of your hair.

About your apartment. I'm leaving you some school supplies, books from my orientation, and guidebooks underneath the television. Make use of them. Use "barryfunenglish.com" to help jump start your lesson planning as well. The Seoul book is very useful when you visit. Practice your Korean/Hangul while you're here. Things like motel, jimjabang, noraebang, hakyeo, and names of food are nice things to know in Hangul.

Your neighbor right across the hall is John Scott. He's a friendly Canadian who will gladly help you with the heating device, gas, and washing machine. Lucky for you, he makes yummy cupcakes often! You have hot water and great water pressure in your shower, so that's nice too. Toaster and kettle are easy enough. I left you coffee, spaghetti noodles and tomato sauce, almonds, peanut butter, canned fruit, ramen, butter, cheese, and ketchup. Enjoy! Homeplus is right down the main street so make use of it for groceries. There are small little markets around as well. I left you towels in the closet and cleaned the bed sheets and dishes. The bed sheets are kind of musty, I couldn't get that to go away in my time here, sorry.

You have two schools: Giran and Namseon. Mr. Park (a real character) is very friendly and will help you with anything you ask. Sometimes Giran will take advantage of your services so make sure you know your contract and stand your ground firmly so that you're not doing extra work with no pay. This is very important, I cannot stress it enough.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, take bus 28 (to the left of the train station is your bus stop everyday) at 10:45AM to the very last stop in Giran. When it drops you off, with your back to the bus terminal, turn right and walk straight all the way through town. You'll see Giran to the right after you get out of downtown. Cross the street and enter. You'll eat lunch here probably.

On Tuesday and Thursday, take bus 21 at 12:20PM to "Namseon-Myeong Office." Press the button and get off. Ask people on the bus for help by saying, "Odee (where is) Namseon Chodon (elementary) Hakyeo (School)?" Walk along the river down a small road to the left of the fork in the road. Namseon will be on your right after a short walk. You'll eat lunch before you come here.

The principal from Giran had me teach him English before lunch. He's a super nice guy and speaks some English. In fact, almost all of the teachers at Giran speak English so make sure you always say hello to each of them and smile. They'll become good friends and help you out if you do. Anyway, helping the principal was nice because you build a relationship and he's more likely to say nice things about you and help with your vacation time. He'll also take you to lunch which is nice.

Sometimes you'll teach in the library at Giran so be flexible. The librarian is extremely kind. Say "anyong-ha-say-oh" and bow when you meet her, she'll love it.

Your co-teachers are ByeongSu and Yiseo. You really lucked out with them, as did I. Yiseo is really great with discipline and keeping the peace. He's also very nice to talk to during breaks. ByeongSu will be at Namseon with you. He keeps a positive energy and likes to keep the kids smiling. Use them to your advantage, they love this job. They'll let you lead the lessons and make the plans. They'll give you suggestions when things don't work, it's so nice. They'll also be your best friends and show you around Andong if they're not busy.

The only reason I didn't extend was because I have ot go back and finish my degree. I felt very fortunate in my situation. Above al, you will love these kids. My second grades (both schools) were difficult, but your CT's will help. Kindergarten is adorable and the 5th and 6th grades are fun to have conversations with. If you show love to these  kids, they will show it back in handfuls. Enjoy it.

Make sure you join the Andong Facebook page. (It's just "Andong" I believe.) There are some real cool cats in town who will help you out and hang out with you when you need a friend.

If you have any questions during your stay, you have my facebook and my email is _____.

OH! I'm leaving you a crappy pay-as-you-go phone that is only good for texting and calling, but it's cheap. You can refill it on the main street all the way to Homeplus, the last "T" store on the right. Enjoy your stay, make good memories, and have great experiences!

Shelby Eaton
8th generation TaLK Scholar