FR Homeschoolers 09/05/2002

I've heard Turkey is absolutely beautiful and knew a Turkish man in graduate school. Eager students are the best, aren't they? My kids treated me so well I was humbled. I must tell this story:

I hosted/presented a live English entertainment program in some of the Taiean Chinese schools. I had a microphone, taught songs, numbers, alphabet and spoke enough Chinese to make them laugh, you know... I had 5 groups of 100 in the auditorium each time.

Anyway, one Saturday one of the kids got sick and threw up breakfast in the 2nd row. I finally realized that all the first 3 rows on one side of the room had moved back and were sitting on their friends' laps. Then the smell hit me. I went over to investigate and saw a big mess on the floor.

The regular teacher for that class was gone and the male substitute just sat there. I asked him to get a janitor and began opening windows. No janitor came, I couldn't concentrate and finally the Chinese sub told a student to get a mop to clean it up. The student took the mop, dragged it through the mess, and trailed it out into the hall, as pieces of morning egg fell off along the way.

I was so angry I was going to walk out and never return. What was wrong with these people? Couldn't they even take a little responibility? I was so angry I told all the 100 students to go back to class.

As thy were tromping past me, one litle girl (a favorite) said to me in Chinese: Laoshr, weishemma jintian hen xiao shi jien? "Teacher, why today so litle time." I almost cried. Here they were willing to learn, sing, enjoy class with ME, even tough the smell of vomit permeated the air. Thinking of this even today, I feel tears coming and am humbled by their caring. Needless to say, I did return.

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