My first class EVER, was a disaster. I only finished half of the chapter. Before the class, I carefully planned my lesson, on how each page should take, so I can finish the chapter even before the 50-minute class was over.. but I ended up spending most of the time going to Ace's seat, following him around, telling him to sit down.
He's a bright boy. He understands my instructions, in English, very well and shouts at his classmates who say "Eh?" and tells them what it was in Korean... and the students would say "Ah!"
Okay. My fellow teachers admitted they really found it hard to teach him. For the past months, he was taught alone in one classroom coz he would always box his classmates then. Another foreign teacher also admitted he gave up on Ace. It was a challenge for me. I always thought of things on how could I beat him. Meeting a fast approaching car was not the solution. In our next classes, I ended up letting him do whatever he wanted to do and still went on with the lessons for those who wanted to learn or not waste time. The girls were really attentive and would tell him to be silent if he gets rowdy again. Anne, my friend, advised me to still try to talk to Ace and get English answers from him even though he was doing something else, e.g. playing, and if I get the answer I wanted, then there's nothing wrong with the process. What's important was--he was listening after all and that he spoke in English.
After my second week, I was surprised when Ace would always come up to me and greet me and further on tell me he was doing fine--in English. On the first day of our third week, I was also impressed how he tried to do his bookwork "correctly" in advance. He was more subdued.
When 3rd week was over, I was told he'd be stopping his English classes this February. I really felt so sad. I've become really so proud of him, and the fact that he talks to me everytime he comes to school really surprised the other teachers...
On our last week, he was really more subdued. He worked well in class, he recited and read well and volunteered to give answers.
In a way, I felt triumphant that I still made a little difference on what the others gave up on. I felt more accomplished than gaining the approval of our director or winning the respect of the Korean teachers.
Though I'm still new to the academic world, I also hope to grow with my students. One thing I've lost and regained with Ace was my "patience"... and I thank him for that... I still have so much to learn...
Picture taken last Jan. 30, last class of the month with my beginner students. and that sweet kid with me? no other than Ace... 
