You can’t win them all.
And two days ago, me and Ethan had a very humbling experience.
About a week ago, at this point, Lannete, our Khmer teacher, told us this week we would be on our own for teaching. Flying solo, if you will.
MONDAY OF THIS WEEK.
We got caught in a dog fight and gunned down by a bunch of little Cambodian students.
I remember in elementary school when the substitute would come, and we would get nothing done. I could fall asleep in the back of the class, and she wouldn’t do anything. Imagine this but a significant language barrier, so even the kids who wanted to listen couldn’t because they couldn’t understand us. And with about thirty minutes left, we hear, “Goodbye, teacher, see you tomorrow.” And they all get up and leave. They ended class on their own accord and walked home. Ethan and I looked at each other in shock and then laughed.
TUESDAY
We hit the air in preparation for our battle ahead.
We start the day braced for impact. And then we get some news. The elementary class is divided into two-time slots: morning and afternoon. So the people who run the morning class come in and tell us they have one kid meaning we have the rest of them. So we get in the class with about 25 cambodian kids. Ethan started teaching and I took the position of police. I stood in the back and made sure kids didn’t hit, bite, tackle, eat, punch, or name anyone or themselves. It was shocking, but we didn’t have the same authority as Lannete, but we made the best of a not-ideal situation. And with about thirty minutes left, we heard, “Goodbye, teacher; see you tomorrow.” And with much struggling, we shut it down. This time, we got them to sit down and continue teaching.
We flew our plane home battered and bruised but still flew, so that was better than Monday.
Today aka Wednesday
We hit the air again, armed with the knowledge of the last two days and prepared to teach these children English.
I am not going to lie. Today went about as well as yesterday, which was not great. But we survived, and by God’s grace, maybe the kids grasped one of the concepts we tried to teach this week.
Life isn’t easy, but we always have a choice to go back out and try again.
Failure doesn’t define who we are. Ethan and I are currently 0/3 this week. But we have the mentality to go out and tackle the class tomorrow. Granted, we don’t have a choice because we live on campus. But my cliche point still stands.
God works through failure way more than our success. When we can’t do it, that gives him room to work through us. Embrace failure. You aren’t perfect. Don’t try to be.
I don’t know if this made any sense, but thanks for reading.
Thanks for everything,
Drew McKinney
I love how you are leaning into Jesus. The kids will have more respect for you for not giving up. That may be the biggest lesson they learn…”remember those two white guys who wouldn’t quit teaching us English even though we were awful to them?!?” Keep on with the grit. I love you!
I’ve never in my life heard someone blog about being “gunned down” by their students. Incredible blog.
You know I might try their tactic tomorrow, “Goodbye teacher, I will see you tomorrow.” Thanks Cambodian children!!! Love you Drew! 🤍
Wow! Now you know a little of what myself, your mom and Aunt Lil go through. Dealing with kids can be hard. You have the grit and perseverance to get the job done. Love you . Looking forward to FaceTime over Thanksgiving..
Bunch of lil rascals they are, glad you were not that way, your smirk gives you away!
Hang in there, give them Jesus’s never ending love! Drew Teach them the song “Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so little ones to him belong we are weak but He is strong!”
LOL
Love you
Pop’i
Bunch of lil rascals they are, glad you were not that way, your smirk gives you away!
“Hang in there, give them Jesus’s never ending love! Drew Teach them the song “Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so little ones to him belong we are weak but He is strong!”
LOL
Love you
Pop’i
Bunch of lil rascals they are, glad you were not that way, your smirk gives you away!
“Hang in there, give them Jesus’s never ending love! Drew, Teach them the song “Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so little ones to him belong we are weak but He is strong!”
LOL
Love you
Pop’i
Bunch of lil rascals they are, glad you were not that way, your smirk gives you away!
“Hang in there, give them Jesus’s never ending love! Drew, Teach them the song “Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so little ones to him belong we are weak but He is strong!”
LOL
Pop’i
Okay, I gotta admit…if my students said, “Bye Teacher, see you tomorrow!” with 30 min. of class still left, I’d probably say, “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” I’m going to tell my co-teachers this story…I have a feeling this will become my new catch-phrase. But it would be even better if I could say to my kids, “Bye kids, see you tomorrow!”, and then I would leave 30 min. early. 🙂
Great post, once again. You make me smile.
You seem to be keeping your sense of humor through all this. Great place to be, see what is good, see the humor in things, keep an eye out for what God is up to. He likes to show up in places you least expect.
Your teaching experience reminds me of my experience teaching chemistry at Sevier County High school. I had no degree, no teaching experience, no classes in education, and no clue what to do. Still, a fun ride and great experience…gave me a real appreciation for teachers.
I’ll keep praying.
Oh Drew! It is an anticipated treat awaiting your blog posts. They are so real, honest, touching and funny. I have a feeling “Goodbye teacher, see you tomorrow” will become part of our family sayings.
We had the Turkey Shoot Thursday at the Anderson’s and James A. took home the trophy. You are missed greatly. Psalm 91 is often my prayer for you. I am so thankful to you for your servant heart and teachable spirit. Love you!!