Three weeks in Cambodia and I’ve taught at eight different schools to hundreds of students ranging from ages two to sixteen. Although I don’t have a teaching degree, I certainly feel like an English teacher.
Little did I know, week one in Cambodia was my warm-up round. My team and I taught two English classes at the church every day, explaining the basics (A,B,C’s and 1,2,3’s) to the local village children. We sang songs and wrote on the white board as the kids diligently copied everything we said and sang in unison. It was the perfect transition into this new culture and becoming new teachers.
As week two in Cambodia approached, I expected another week teaching my sweet, soft-spoken village children. Well, I was wrong. Week two was the real deal, and as I look back, I wonder how I made it through in one piece.
On Monday instead of staying in our little village of Pum Taong Lich, we were shuttled to the nearby city of Sisophon and told we would be teaching English in the Apple School and the International School this week. I was excited to partner with the teachers of Sisophon and support them as much as a foreigner whose never been trained as a teacher could. As it turns out, my team and I were not partnering with the teachers; we were the teachers.
Class after class, we were brought to the front of the room and told, “Okay, teach English, now.” On the spot, we came up with songs, games, and various other tactics to teach these precious Cambodian children about our language. It was crazy, challenging, and intimidating to be thrown in front of a class of thirty eager little ones without lesson plans or preparation, but I quickly learned it could be done. I’m so proud of myself and my team because during week two in Cambodia, we became English teachers.
When you strip away the fear of messing up and the anxiety of not having another song after we’ve sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes twenty-seven times, this week was actually a delight. It was a delight because of the kids. I witnessed an eagerness to learn in Cambodia that I’ve rarely seen in America. The kids desperately desire to learn English because it’s their connection to the outside world. It’s a chance at a life different from what they see around them. School isn’t a chore for them, it’s a necessity. Their fervor for learning was inspiring and the dozens of English lessons I taught this week might have been my most impactful times of the race thus far.
Before I left for the world race I heard from so many people that, “the world race will be the hardest year of your life and the best year of your life.” As month four comes to a close, I can definitively say that so far, this statement is true. This race is so hard.. and so amazing.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” Romans 12:6-7
My love <3
I’ll leave you with some cuteness from this week!
