Die Zeit läuft unglaublich schnell. We’ve just entered the second half of the school year, which means changing schedules, a long weekend, and more daylight hours. I’m so grateful that the days of riding my bike to work at 7:30 am in pitch darkness are over and that the sun is poking out regularly. Running around the old city wall is much more appealing in the sunshine, not to mention grabbing groceries or walking to a friend’s house in the city center. I’m so looking forward to biking to the lake or eating lunch in my garden once the weather really perks up.
The last couple of weeks at work have been particularly nice and I’d like to share a couple of favourite stories from my classes.
As the year progresses, I have increasingly frequent opportunities to plan my own lessons and activities for my students, rather than simply work with whatever materials the teachers provide. I was initially uncomfortable making my own lesson plans, but I’m starting to relish the freedom of tailoring lessons any way I like. I also adore most of the students that I work with. I’ve heard some horror stories from other assistants here about their schools and students; thankfully, the stars have aligned for me and I work in a school that is filled to the brim with friendly kids and colleagues. The other day at the beginning of classes with one of my 7th grade groups, I made a point of telling them how much I appreciate it when they wave to me or say hello in the halls. I told them, “You are the friendliest class! I love it when you say hi to me. It’s so nice.” Then they all applauded.
Sometimes, you can’t help but laugh. Once, I was playing a game of 20 Questions with a group of 9th graders, and one bright and bubbly girl wanted to make a guess. “Spongebob Schwammkopf!” she yelled, and began singing the theme song to Spongebob Squarepants. (Schwammkopf means “sponge head.”)
I interrupted gently. “Actually, it’s ‘Squarepants,’ because his pants are square.” She burst into a new rendition. “Squarepants Schwammkopf, Squarepants Schwammkopf…”
Even on days when something I had prepared doesn’t quite go as planned, a student inevitably stays behind after class to talk to me and their interest and enthusiasm restores my self-confidence. Whether I’m working with 12-year-olds and showing them how to make a “th” sound, prodding 16-year-olds to consider the power of the media, staging debates on “skateboards vs. bikes” with 14-year-olds, discussing the characterization of Daisy in The Great Gatsby with 18-year-olds, playing Taboo or Apple to Apples, teaching entire classes of kids about Canadian culture, or sitting with one teenage student and talking about their trials, triumphs, and future plans, I get my energy from the appreciation that I feel from the kids and teachers with whom I work every day. Of course every day isn’t perfect, but focusing on the many positive moments is a good way to remind myself how much I enjoy being here.
Speaking of energy, if I don’t go to bed soon, I won’t have any for class tomorrow! Mach’s gut!
