“Nikki, one day, I really think that you should be a teacher”
Oddly enough, those were words that my dad use to tell me growing up. Yet it was never something I took very seriously. In fact, there was even a time where I laughed at the idea. I was still in school and the thought of working in a school with students who I knew did not want to be there at all, did NOT sounds pleasing to me. Truth be told, it sounded like a complete waste of time. I was young and naive. I wanted to ‘get out’ and explore. Even at that point in my life, I knew I was made for something more. Something deeper, wonderful and powerful.
I just did not know I would find it in Cambodia, through the eyes of an eager college student in my English class among a culture of people who are hungry for education and knowledge.
Last month, while working out in the village, we were told of the Khmer Rouge and their period of reign in Cambodia. I won’t go into detail (google it…totally worth the read and knowledge of a recent genocide), but the stats from it, were staggering. Of Cambodia’s current 14.4 million people, half are under age 22. This makes Cambodia a very young nation. A nation where proper education is in dire need. While there, I was able to work with some of this countries young people. I worked with elementary school aged children in a private and public school. We spent days going through the ABC’s, months of the year and days of the week. We talked about verbs, adjectives and nouns. Subject pronoun and objective pronouns were also mentioned. We went through different natural disasters and learned the spelling of many different words. We handed out homework, gave tests and marked them all.
This month is another story. Instead of the basics, we are teaching college aged students. Although classes have just begun, God is already stretching me in many ways. Practical ways, such as trying to communicate with a person who doesn’t speak any of your language. To more personal ways that touch my heart and soul.
Today, God spoke to me in one of those personal ways.
As I looked into the eyes of a young girl as she shared her dreams, my heart broke. She talked about her university and the things she wanted to do once she graduated. The joy in her face as she talked about what she was learning, touched my heart.
How many times in high school, did I complain about going to school? About the education system we have at home? About my teachers and the amount of homework they gave me? Night after night of wrestling with my latest math assignment, so close to giving up, but always getting mad at my parents for pushing me through (sorry mom and dad!!)
Was I really that ‘blind’ to the blessing of the education that I had?
I couldn’t understand why Cambodians (along with the rest of the world) wanted to learn English. They say there is ‘no such thing as a stupid question’ and so, one afternoon my team asked the students, “Why are Cambodians wanting to study English so bad?”
Here are a few of their answers; “Teacher Nikki, I want to know Englsh better, so I can get a good job and help people.” “I want to become an accountant.” “I am studying Literature in hopes to become a teacher. I want to share my knowledge, with the young people of Cambodia.” “I am studying biology to become a biology teacher.”
They want to HELP people, to further teach, educate and build back up a nation.
(I am hoping to sit down with one of my students and further discuss this with her. Be on the look out for a blog spotlight on her and her story.)
Can I really say the same about me? Wanting to help my own nation?
Yes, there are flaws within our education system at home. Nothing will ever be ‘perfect’.
Life isn’t perfect, we all know that
(and for those that didn’t know that, wake up!)
But that is no excuse.
I want to send out a few challenges/thank you’s to my youth, family, friends and community back at home that teaching English in Cambodia, has taught me in the last 1.5 months.
To the youth, especially my grade 12 small group;
Embrace every moment that high school has to offer. Ask questions, challenge your teachers to dig deeper into what they are teaching you. Strive to do your best every day, in every class. Do not worry about the future, that will come soon enough. Focus on where you are and gain as much knowledge as you can. Don’t just aim for a ‘passing mark’, but aim for something greater. I know exams just finished and a new semester has started, so aim HIGH. Grade 12’s, make this last semester of your high school life, count. The knowledge, the education you are getting is so very valuable. With it, you have the ability (even without any post secondary degree) to educate those around you. I am expecting to see you in June, walking across that stage at grad!!
Also, remember that I have no post secondary experience when it comes to ‘learning how to teach’/being a teacher, but that doesn’t matter to the people here in Cambodia. It doesn’t matter to the kids I taught while in Zambia. They are simple happy to talk to a native English speaker (and hey, let’s be real, I KNOW you ALL talk really well!) Strive for greatness. Study hard. Dig into those books and hand in every assignment, knowing you did your very best on it. You can do it.
Friends (college and high school alike); thank you for sticking with me through those years. Thank you for the fun times and the times of studying that we had. For pushing me to study, staying up late working on a paper with me and for encouraging me constantly during those years. I am honoured to have friends like you!!
Family;
Thank you for the phone calls and encouragement along the way. To my aunt Carol, a kindergarten teacher of over 20 years, a HUGE thank you to you (and Mrs. Penner!) Thank you on behalf of the countless number of eager 5 year old students who went through your doors. Mrs. Penner, thank you for allowing me to come back and work alongside you during my grade 12 year, and watch you love on the kids in the class. Thank you for teaching me, how to teach, simply by being an example. Words cannot express my thankfulness to the both of you (and many other teachers along the way who helped me!)
Mom and dad;
Sorry for all the grey hairs I gave you! I know there were lots through high school and college! Thank you for being supportive and encouraging me along the way! You do not know the blessing that it was! Dad, who knew that I would be teaching in Cambodia! Thank YOU for believing in me! Who knows, maybe one day I WILL be a paid teacher somewhere in this world!
Community of Altona (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!!)
I know the debate that has hit home among the schools over the last few years…don’t let that blind you from simply educating the young people. Despite its flaws, what you have really IS a gift. I know I am not a parent, but if you could only see the joy in the students faces as they learn here. Perhaps that too, would change/soften your hearts as it did mine. Please realize that we live in a broken world, but sheltering our young people/kids to it, won’t help. Teach them their ABCs and 123’s, algebra, science, and English. Encourage them. Who knows, the next Prime Minister could come from Altona. The person who discovers the cure for cancer or AIDS, could be sitting in the very classrooms of Elmwood, West Park, Parkside OR Miller. Please Altona, from the bottom of my heart, do not lose focus on the people who make up the classrooms-the teachers and the students. Get to know them, hear their stories, talk to them and learn how to better educate them.
Thank you, for believing in me and walking alongside me.
With each child and university that I come into contact with, I pass on the knowledge that MY teachers shared with me. Who knows, the person who discovers the cure for AIDS/Cancer could be a Cambodian and they could be in the classes I am teaching, this very moment.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
