Time for Butterflies to fly!

My Most recent photo with just a few of my 'kiddies' ^^

As you have come to know by reading and viewing my blog, I am a 20-something American man living and working in South Korea for the past two years of life. I have documented my cultural, social, dining, exploring, and traveling within Korea and have also given an insight to the many out of Korea trips I have taken to nearby Asian countries. However, I don’t really inform you very often about what I actually do 80% of my time- teaching English in a private ESL Kindergarten.

My school (more like home!), Baum Kids Schule

Two years ago I landed in Korea with the opportunity to teach English as a Second language in a small private kindergarten. I began as a ‘floating’ foreign teacher, but by my second month I was serving as head home room teacher to Tiger class. Tiger class consisted of six 7 year old students who were within only the beginning phases of learning the English alphabet and phonetic sounds. Our daily lessons consisted of phonics, science, art, math, and story-telling all within English; it is a complete submersion approach to teaching a foreign language. I grew close to my students, as well as their parents and before I knew it I felt like I had found my calling and place in life (for the time being)



Within a blink of an eye, the year had finished. My Tigers were now expressing their feelings, writing short sentences, reading stories, and comprehending basic conversation. They would be moving up to Butterfly class and I, feeling very comfortable in my life in Korea and place as a teacher in my school, renewed my contract for a second year. Not only were my Tigers moving up to Butterfly class, but I was going with them; serving as their teacher for a second year.



Again I have blinked, and already another year has passed. The children who I first met at the age of 6 are now 8 I am truly amazed at the amount of growth my students have made. Within this second year, my now Butterflies, are now writing lengthy paragraphs, telling their own stories, reading and understanding instructions on their own, and have also grown in the mathematical and science realms. My students now keep a weekend diary where they write down entries for how they spent their days (in English)! And one of my brightest girls even has a pen-pal in America- and what makes that so great is that is with my own 8 year old Nephew! Needless to say I am very proud of my ‘kids’ growth and accomplishments in the past two years.



The students that I have grown closest to, and their Mothers. On picture day, these three moms requested that I be part of their children's yearbook photo. Touching, really...

As they are now turning 8 years old, my Butterflies will be graduating from Kindergarten and entering elementary school in just 1 week. For them, and for me, these past 2 years have been a whirlwind of experiences, knowledge gained, and great bonds made between us all. I feel very close to many of my students (and their parents) after spending 5 days a week with them for the past 2 years (in a year round academic school year). I have prepared them to face their future the best I could, however, the one thing I didn’t prepare for was the amount of love and care that has grown within me.



During last week’s graduation ceremony, I delivered one of my final lessons, not only to my butterflies but to all the other students, teachers, and parents attending. That lesson being: ‘Even Patrick Teach Cries Sometimes When Saying Goodbye’ 


Now go, Butterflies, spread your wings and fly!

My students aren't the only one's moving on. It's my time to fly too....