My voice has been replaced with a croak.

I wake up with five little ducks playing in my head.

The teaching trinity: stickers, fly swatters, microphone.

Teaching is the perfect outlet for someone who compulsively buys snacks; there are always new friends to share with.

As the teacher, do everything in your power to make class something you look forward to.

Think about how you can make the class easier on yourself, physically, mentally, etc. Not as a way of cutting corners but to reduce a sudden decline in energy.

Being a foreign teacher in a school is like being a single red crayon in a box of green crayons. Every parent notices you and you’re probably doing things just a bit differently than the local teachers.

Your TAs are fountains of wisdom, with creative ideas and constructive criticism at every turn.

I am beginning to really connect with the kids.

I am engaging with them in new ways, laughing at things we mutually find funny, chasing them, showering them with treats.

If I’m bored during class the kids might be bored too: more songs, more movement. Let’s make it fun!

Actively involve them in the learning journey, even if it is simply picking up the flash card you called.

Kids love to feel safe and comforted. Sometimes that means a high five, a fist bump, a hug.

Incentives drive action, sometimes learning isn’t enough of an incentive and stickers have to be incorporated.

A classroom isn’t the right environment for every kid. That doesn’t make a kid a bad kid.

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.

Each student is different, each class is different.

Any class after 12 pm needs divine intervention

Explain the why.

Care about what they care about. Even if that’s just expressing concern over a small bruise they’re showing you.

Consume new songs, learning material, teaching examples to serve your class best.

You are student number one. If you’re not showing enthusiasm or joy, no way the student will.