I fly out August 11th at 6:00am for what promises to be the biggest adventure of my life... teaching 3rd grade at a private school in Shanghai, China!!!
I'll be teaching at SMIC Private School, and living in the living quarters on campus in the Pudong region of Shanghai. I am very excited for the opportunities I'll be able to participate in. The more I think on this opportunity, the more sure I am that it is where the Father wants me, and can't wait to see His plans. The school is a great environment, and serves students from all over the world, about 20% of which will be Chinese, and the others will be from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. I'll have a melting pot of cultures and diversity within my classroom, of which I will be as well!
I'm starting to learn Mandarin, ni hao!!! Luckily I'll be teaching in English, but want to have some working Chinese to use for shopping and getting around the city. I'll also be given a language swap partner --- another SMIC teacher that will tutor me in Chinese, and I'll help her English. My third graders will also attend Chinese classes, so I may have to join them a few times! :)
My family has been so supportive of this venture; sad that I'm leaving, of course, but excited to see what the Father is going to do and how He's going to work in me. I look forward to keeping this blog updated with pictures, stories about my students and travels, and to keep in touch with all of you, my faithful family and friends.
Zijian!
