No more pencils, no more books

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE...HOT SEASON!

Just finished the last class of my first semester as a teacher.

A surprise: when I walked into one of my favorite classes for the last time yesterday, all of the forty nine students rose on cue and launched into a six minute version of a traditional Thai song about teachers. There were different parts for the boys and girls and even several solos, and after the song was finished the entire class sat and one lone student stood and made a speech in English. One of my favorite students, Nut, even started crying.

It's possible I cried a little in front of my students. Whoops...

Also, before anyone congratulates me on a job well done, I'll point out that the typical exit ceremony for me this week was a lot less grandiose. A "Thanks again guys! It's been a great semester. Any questions? About anything?..." followed by deafening silence, and then my little voice, "So, no questions?...," followed by more silence, and then finally, a goodbye wave as I quietly slipped out the door.

Just a few hundred more grades and then I am done.

Yours,
"Teacher Rebecca" as my students know me