I am an English teacher! Not even joking!

Today was my first official day as an English teacher. The challenge has just begun and I am already exhausted... I went from teaching 3 year olds in the morning to 17 year olds at night - not one is easier than the other, although some are funner.
My first class has 2 students - a little boy named Eric and a little girl name Angel. Yes, I am getting paid to hang out with 2 little kids and I love it! It was challenging to keep them going, but such a fun time. Then, after the fun came the storm - the biggest challenge in the school - third and fourth graders with bad attitudes! Sounds scary? Well, it was! I was told by my only foreign co-worker that getting this class to care would be one of the greatest victories in the school - I call that a challenge! 7 kids that hopefully will care about learning English by the end of the year - it can't be that bad, right? (ok, this is the time when you all send me suggestions and comforting words because I a truly freaking out!)

My last class was my favorite. I have always been scared of teenagers - mexican, american, or any other nationality that I can think of. However, it seems like taiwanese teenagers are not as scary as I thought! This, I learned today. My last class (which, incidentally, ended at 9:00 pm) was doomed to be the worse hour of my day. However, it was the best. I sat down and talked to a 16 and a 17 year old about life, did some reading and laughed a ton! The class is supposed to duplicate by the end of the week (four whole students!), which means that I'll get to have fun with them. Their focus is to pass this one test that the taiwanese government issues twice a year to demonstrate their English ability. It's a big deal, and I now get to be part of these kids lives. I'm excited.

Overall, it was a great day. I am exhausted but so so hopeful. I couldn't help but remember my English teachers in elementary school. Teacher Marlene was my favorite. She was a hippie girl that wore long skirts and thick Dr. Matin boots - oh! she was my hero. And now, many years later, I am that person - minus the Dr. Martin's, or any shoes whatsoever. I am hopeful that someday they will be completely fluent and that their lives will be better because of this little part that I have invested in their lives, and most of all, that I will grow through this experience. I think those two things will make all of this worth it!