Monster Mangos and Goodbye to Teaching in Taiwan

Well, today was a big day. It was my last day teaching in Taiwan (we still have to proctor finals for the next four days, but I won't be doing any instruction with the classes I've had all year). It was a bittersweet feeling all day: I'm so close to the end of the school year that I'm just itching for it to be done, but it's the last time I'll be teaching in Taiwan so I'm trying to make it last. An odd combination if you ask me!

One class in particular I will miss from this year. My second class of 10th graders of the day was always a ball of energy for me. As any teacher will tell you, some classes just have "it" where all of the members contribute to a simply wonderful classroom climate. There's no particular reason why some classes have "it" and some don't, so as a teacher you just have to enjoy them when they come along. My 10th graders definitely had "it." I won't say anymore, I'll just let the following pictures speak for themselves...

Some of the girls in the class were almost in tears on the last day. They are so sweet.

But also pretty crazy, as you can see!

Even though we had lots to review for our final still, they made me get another teacher to take a whole group photo. I can't say as I'm reallllly upset about this ;)

Besides having a great last day as a teacher in Taiwan, I also made a wonderful discovery. As I've previously stated, Taiwan mangos are beyond delicious and I have made it a goal of mine to eat one every day until I leave. That is not a joke either. Well today I stopped at a fruit stand and got some mangos. I was about to go checkout when I noticed a giant, mango shaped yellow fruit right next to the regular little orange ones I get. I can't read chinese, so I was completely guessing at what it was, but I figured it was worth the bet.

Sure enough, I got home and whipped out my cutting board immediately to find that it is a GIANT mango! SCORE! As you can see from the picture, it is literally double in size. I'd call that a perfect after school snack!

My Monster Mango cut in half next to the regular, baby sized, mangos I normally get.

What an epic day...Only 13 days until I'm home...

Graduation 2012

It is hard to believe that graduation has come and gone already. I didn't teach this bunch of seniors, but I taught a few of them last year and know almost all of them outside of class. Some of them I know better than the students I teach because of random interactions in the halls and activities. It's really a fun atmosphere when it's such a small school.

Needless to say, today was fun and a little sad. I had to say goodbye to some kids that I have known for two years. However, graduating from high school is a rite of passage for every kid and it gives me great pride to know that I helped shape these young adults (some more than others). Congratulations class of 2012! Good luck in whatever you chose to do with your next steps in life :)

Class of 2012 right after the ceremony

The Girls- (left to Right) Kate, Nichole, Me, Jane

My favorite Korean student, taught him last year and unofficially advised him this year. He's happy, I promise :)