Teacher Evaluations

Some days teaching can be bit of a challenge, some days it can be a lot of fun, and others it can have me laughing my ass off. Perhaps this past Tuesday’s class with my child prodigy embodied all these elements in just one lesson. Let me start by saying that Simon and I have a great relationship.. he’s on my messenger list, he emails me papers to edit and calls me without fail every weekend to ask about his homework. So, I couldn’t take his actions too seriously….

Alright, so it was writing class, and Simon and I were editing and revising the paper he had written me for homework. Upon giving him a grade (80% - and very generous for the quality of the work) he snapped out of wonder child, into normal kid mode, believing the mark that I had given him was unfair for his efforts. In a fit of childhood rage, weighing heavily on the side of temper tantrum, he grabbed his essay, flipped it over, and claimed he was going to evaluate me. He chose the categories and the grades as I sat by shaking my head and laughing in disbelief. The first mark given was for “Style and Creativity” (though I’m unsure for what) where he was generous enough to give me a 5/10. Then came “Intelligence and EQ”, for which I scored a meager 3/10. The Third was for “Student Care”, where I barely made the board, earning an embarassing 1/10. But the last mark was the one that really got me, and made it all worth while.. Evil 10/10.

At least he got something right!

Momma B in the SK

One week off work, treats from home, and time with my mom... what a fabulous break! For 9 days I played tourist and tourguide, exploring the city (and country) with my mom. It was a great way for her to get a glimpse into my life here and the way of a foreigner in Korea. In just her short time here, she learned to read Korean, to say thank you and goodbye, and that when walking in the streets she was a minority and many people who could speak english, often felt inclined to say "hi". My favourite experience happened in Seoul, and here's how it went down:

(mom (M) and lynda (L) are leaving a palace in the city, and are approached by a Korean male in his late twenties on a bike (K))

K: Where are you from?
L: Canada
K: Ohhh, very good. I see you. You have nice sunglasses. You are rich.
L: Uh, thank you.. but I don't think so.
K: Can I guess.. She is mother?
L: Yes she is.
K: You are tall. People in Canada are tall? Not people in Korea.
L: ha ha some people are tall. My mom is even taller than me!
(dude turns his attention to my mom)
K: Mother... you are very lucky. You have intelligent daughter and tall daughter. I have many fantasy.
M: uhhh, thank you.
L: Gotta Go!

buwahahahahaha.... awesome. Guess the secrets out.