Entering Middle School: from panic to best fit

When I arrived in Korea, COVID-19 was still fairly widespread (it still is with no less than 10,000 new cases reported every day) so I had to quarantine for seven days in Seoul before heading to Daejeon. Since I came via EPIK (English Program in Korea), which is the government’s public-school program for foreign teachers, they arranged everything concerning arrival, quarantine and transportation to our respective cities. On Friday, 25 March we (the other new teachers and I) headed to Daejeon where we’d be starting our new teaching careers. I swear you could cut the tension with a knife during the bus ride. It was so quiet. Even when the coordinator went to buy us snacks during the pitstop, no one talked. Just sitting there quietly with our thoughts. I thought this was so funny but like everyone else, I was just as nervous and quiet. Knowing everybody felt the same jitters made me feel slightly better though as I wasn’t alone in what I was about to face. 

Yes, I had teaching experience and yes, I’ve lived in another country before but one of the main reasons for the nervousness was that I had no idea where I’d be teaching. I didn’t know the name of the school, nor the school level. For some unknown reason, EPIK does not tell you where you’ll be teaching until you arrive in that city. During the interview, I was asked what school level I'd prefer and I said elementary school as I thought this may be easiest to adjust to as I'd be teaching younger students, probably through fun activities! I even practised nursery rhymes for my demo lesson in case I was asked to share one in the interview. Thank goodness I was prepared as the interviewer did ask me to sing! I sang ‘if you know all the seasons, clap your hands…’ to the tune of ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’, much to the interviewer’s amusement. 

During the bus trip, the coordinator handed out our portfolios with contracts, conduct rules, booklets on Korean culture, maps for Daejeon, a school brochure, etc., and lo and behold, I learned that I am teaching at a middle school! Daejeon Maebong Middle School. My first thought was, ‘Oh, no. Teenagers…’, the age group I absolutely did not want because I’ve hardly interacted with them and I must admit, I was a little afraid of them. Those teenage hormones, emotions, opinions, etc. I’ve only ever taught university students so this age group was not something I wished for. I read the brochure and it explained how the school has three grades (equivalent to Gr's 7-9 in the South African system) and over 700 students. They also mentioned how beautiful the school is because of its location near mountains; and that the school is known for its excellent fencing team. I thought... nature, check! Sports, check! These are things I enjoy; it will be fine. 

Daejeon Maebong Middle School

When we arrived at the Daejeon Education Department, we were given a lovely welcoming ceremony, where we were introduced to our co-teachers or what’s known as our ‘handlers.’ This is a teacher at your school that handles all your school admin, helps you settle in the country, and just makes sure you do whatever you’re supposed to. I lucked out when I met Kyuri. She has been nothing short of perfect in helping me settle here. Her preparation for my arrival cannot be matched! When we left the department, I found that she had asked her brother to drive us to my new home and the school. Though small, this gesture put me at ease as I’m very close to my family and would probably do something similar if I was in the same position.

Gifts from the Daejeon Education Department.

After dropping my things off at my new place (which is lovely) we headed to school where I met the staff, my fellow English co-teachers and the principal. I learned that I am the only foreign teacher at the school and that they had been waiting for me. Because of COVID, they haven’t had an English native speaker for a year and a half. I also learned I would be teaching both the second and third grades, which meant 19 classes altogether. Inside I was just thinking ‘breathe Meryl, it’s fine…’ Don’t panic now. Panic later when you’re home and alone. Then I learned I will have an additional first-grade class, which is a fun activity class for the students who opted for an extra English lesson. Lastly, I was told I can do one after-school program, perhaps a book club. When I heard this, the joy that was desperately needed ran through me. Reading and books are one of my passions. This is meant to be.

Native English Teacher Meryl!

So that first night everything was overwhelming. The new city, the language, the school, what I’d been told I’d be doing, facing it all alone, etc. It was overwhelming and I just needed to let the tears flow for a bit. I told myself that I had the weekend to feel all this anxiety and come Monday, I’d be ready to put my smile on and my best foot forward. I come from a line of teachers in my family. From my dad to uncles, aunties, cousins and my brother, this vocation is in my genes. So regardless of how I felt at that moment, I’d gather whatever courage and confidence I could from all the teachers in my family, and do whatever I had to. 

Before I taught my first class, I was terribly nervous; more than usual before a major event. No one or nothing made me feel better the night before. And I’ve taught at university, both at home and abroad; I’ve given presentations at international conferences, and I’ve even been through a PhD defence (where you 'defend' your thesis to a panel of experts/examiners)! And yet, here I was unable to sleep before my first day of teaching at a middle school, where I’d be giving lessons on the topic of healthy habits. 

First lesson on healthy eating habits to my second graders.

But, honestly, middle school has been and is the best fit for me. There is no doubt. This age group has been nothing but fun and joyful, and thought-provoking. I could not have asked for a better school or better students. Yes, there are days when I have no desire to teach (just because) or when students have no desire to be taught and this makes me grit my teeth (just a little bit) but overall, it’s been a very positive experience. I have so much fun with the students; teaching them but also learning from them. There is always, always a joke to be made and a laugh to be shared. 

Taking a random picture at school on a Saturday afternoon. 

Schools are left open so the public can use the facilities for recreation.

I’m going to be honest and say I have my favourite classes already because some of them are just a bit more extroverted and open than others. Sometimes I walk into class and they're busy playing music so we just start dancing together. So much fun! I have learned, however, that each class has their own personality and so each class has to be dealt with differently. This is so interesting to me and challenging in a good way because it forces me to be creative in my approach to all of them. Also, with teenagers, they can absorb and comprehend what I am teaching, more so than younger students could I believe, so this makes explaining things a bit easier. 

A note from a student for Teacher's Day (15 May in South Korea).

And because of my life and career experience, I can share a lot more with them, and potentially open their eyes to ideas and events they could never have imagined. This is my greatest endeavour, awakening students to new experiences and possibly influencing them in a positive way. While I still have moments of uncertainty and anxiety (especially when I have to do something new or even just develop my own lesson plan) I take it day by day and find the encouragement I need wherever I can. I also remember that tomorrow or the next day, there will always be smiles and laughs in class or students shouting “Hello Teacher”, “Nice to meet you…”, whenever and wherever they see me!

Till next time. :)

Teacher Meryl Joy Burgess