I would like this post to be considered a sort of part two to my previous post “Grateful.” One of the things I mentioned in my previous message was my gratitude for the opportunities God has given me, specifically in the areas of education and growing up in a Christian home. This time I want to extend this thankfulness, but more along the lines of knowing my opportunities.
Several weeks ago, I was executing an introduction exercise in my English class. I opened asking my students several questions, the first being; “what is your dream job?” Each student took awhile to formulate their response; not because they couldn’t articulate their answers, but because they did not know what their response should be. After a minute, I heard only two answers between my six students; one possibility was to be a teacher, and the other possibility, a businessman/woman. When I asked them if any had ever thought of being a politician, an engineer, or working in sales I looked around to a room of blank stares.
After a couple of discussions with my teammates, I learned others had also discovered this grave reality in their classes. Many of our students were unaware of the possibilities of dreaming beyond the life they know here in Kampong Cham.
Now for the challenge.
After learning that thinking “outside the box” was difficult for my students, I made an extra attempt to stretch their brains during our class times. Some days, I would tell them how I ended up a teacher in Cambodia by following God’s plan for my life, show them pictures of famous landmarks in the US, or simply cultivate further discussions by asking thought provoking questions. As I began to share new information with them, they became more curious to learn. Abstract thinking does not take place overnight, but within a couple weeks time I can already tell there has been improvement.
Recently I asked my students where they saw themselves in five years, a simple twist to the same question I asked weeks earlier. This time I heard answers that contained details, and each one different from the other! One student wants to go to beauty school and run her own salon, another wants to be a teacher and share Jesus? love with people, another wants to teach people how to manage a sustainable farm, and another wants to travel the world.
I am so proud of my students, and although their development is great, I fully believe it is a gift from God. Growing up in the “land of opportunities” I am gratefully to have learned about my possibilities and have people that encouraged my dreams. Through sharing this blessing, my students also have a wider prospective about their own opportunities and potential to succeed!
