Seen Fun Porn, cultural differences that keep me smiling

Coincidentally enough, this is not the first time I've uttered the phrase 'seen porn' in relation to school.  In fact, it's not even the second time.  Seen, Fun, and Porn are just a few of my Mattayom 3 (9th grade) students' nicknames.  I'm not lucky enough to have a Beer or two, not even in my Friday classes.  Everyone in Thailand is given a nickname by their parents when they are born.  I don't know the story behind the tradition, but for me it's a blessing since the names around here can be pretty long.  Even if those nicknames are Porn (pronounced pawn--phew!)

I've begun my year-long adventure hitting the ground running.  I've finished my second week of work and my third day with students.  I can already tell this year will be filled with joys and challenges.  I am discovering what my experience here at Nawamin School will teach me.  Patience.  Anyone who knows me knows that I'm always prepared...and, of course, organized is an understatement.  That can all be thrown out the window, because no matter how prepared I am, things change.  Before 11am Friday morning, my students brought the wrong textbook to school because their schedules indicated the other subject I teach them, another teacher walked in in the middle of the same class because administration had double booked us for the same period, and then as I try to be creative with my limited teaching resources, my video won't play.  The Thais would say 'mai pen rai'--no problem!  But I feel very ineffective, and I don't like spending my energy for that result.  I hope soon I will find my stride and feel like I'm making gains with my students.

I do enjoy the students; they are all friendly and very respectful.  And I'm impressed with my students' level of English.  I think because they are Asian there is a misconception about the rigors of education.  That isn't the case: Thai schools are not Chinese schools.    Thai classrooms are very loud, lots of talking that never ceases.  Sounds familiar...

...But where else will I have a classroom of students smiling as they wai (why) me at the beginning of each class?  Where else will a student take his shoes off before entering my office to see me?  Where else will you see 3000 Buddhist students sitting in straight rows in silent meditation in the hot morning sun?  Definitely not in America.  So for these things I am thankful.

But I am also preparing myself for the day my principles will be challenged. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. No one fails in a Thai school. No one. And cheating is an accepted practice; administrators and teachers choose to look the other way. Amazing that something that could get an American teacher fired, and possibly cause her to lose her license, is the norm here. My conscience is not looking forward to this. Maybe how I cope with this is another lesson I am supposed to learn while I'm here.