School update

        Beijing has been absolutely beautiful the past few weeks. There was a special world-wide conference in Beijing which means they completely change what it's like. Factories are shut down and traffic is restricted so the pollution leaves. Wow!!! We could breathe fresh air for a long time. In addition to that, we got six days off of school. Granted, we need to make some of them up, but... it was a very nice break to have. :)

    The first quarter has been going really well. Sometimes I feel like a real teacher. Yesterday I lead a professional development day for the teachers (I had to as part of my master's class). My students seem to be learning and most of the time the classroom is under control. Here are some pictures of the reading projects we did for the past book. They turned out really well!

Hallway bulletin board

Fourth Grade

Third Grade

 

   Each semester we need to go on a field trip. This semester we went to the Temple of Heaven with the students. The first grade teacher created a scavenger hunt complete with different tasks they had to do. It kept the students involved and allowed them to see a large part of the park. I LOVED spending a whole day with the students outside of the classroom. You remember more and more that they are kids, not just students. They worked together so well and each group had fun!

We were supposed to look scared.

   The holiday break gave me a chance to catch up on homework, do some Christmas shopping, and visit the 798 Art District. Now, a two day week and another weekend!!!

   Thanks for keeping us all in your thoughts. It's great to see my students growing as young chstians. It's great to know that the HS is working here and elsewhere. Enjoy the holiday season!



My group by the Temple of Heaven

Week 2 complete!

So, I've officially finished two weeks of teaching. Every day I'm feeling more and more like a real teacher. It's a stressful job, but man, can it be fun! The kids are awesome and surprise me every day. They also challenge me. I'm learning more and more about the important characteristics of a teacher. Consistency is key! Unfortunately, the first two weeks were both only four days. So... this next five day week will truly challenge me!

Here are some highlights of the last two weeks:

A third grader came up to me and said, "Sorry, Miss Gierach I didn't bring you a birthday present. My mom said I didn't have to." She really felt sad about it. I assured her that saying happy birthday was a good enough present.

A fourth grade girl freaked out when she saw my eye. A blood vessel broke so I looked pretty scary if I looked up. She didn't know how to explain to me what was wrong, so she ended up just walking away.

A group of six students spent 10 extra minutes during Bbl time making sure everyone understood the story. I couldn't stop that!

Tonight I plan to get a massage. First one since arriving this year!!!

The first week

Well, I'm two days into my first week. It's been interesting to say the least. I have some very sweet kids that will help me through the year. I have a few little rascals that will challenge my everything. Today I started the day with a little Brain tai qi. The question... "What makes your new school great?" Some of the answers were pretty cool:

I think mabe is the teacher is good. And I think is Gd help the teacher. And Gd help the studens. And the teacher is good teach. - oh yeah, baby! Teacher got two points on this one! :)

I like books. I like the food. I like the teacher. I like firend. I like the plant.

Making new 朋友 will make my new school great. I like my new 老师. I like the books in this school. I like the light in this school. I like the songs in this school.- I like that this student used Chinese in her English writing :)

I thing the student and the teacher. And if the student be great and the school will be great and every one is happy. new fries make the school graet and graet teacher. And the most is Gd made this school grate. It was graet at this school.

He said it! the fries here are great (he means friends) and Gd made it great!

Teacher bedtime is coming up!

I'm Back!

Good morning from jet-lagged Jess! I have been doing supper well lately on sleeping into an ok time. However, today I went backwards... 4:30am and I was ready to go! Today is the beginning of day four so I'm sure I'll be normal again within a week. :)

My trip out to Beijing was pretty smooth. I had a seven hour layover in Chicago which was actually pretty nice. I got to call some people and downloaded things for my class. The best part though... as I was boarding my flight I heard a stewardess say, "He doesn't speak English, he can't sit in the exit row". Then she turned to the line and asked loudly, "who is traveling alone?". Well, I knew the follow-up question to that one, so I raised my hand quickly. I got the exit row! Unlimited leg room! I could go to the bathroom anytime I wanted and never had to stand in line (it was right in front of me, so I could see when it was empty).

However, as we were about to land (over an hour late), we started gaining altitude again. The pilot said that we had to fly around again and try the landing again because we were too close to another airplane. Never had that happen before, but I'm glad it was easily avoided.

My first days in Beijing have been pretty simple. I'm trying to organize my apartment, which will take a while. I'm also preparing for school. I'll take some classroom pictures soon to show you what it looks like! 

Not sure if you can tell, but the Packers were playing as I boarded the plane.

I've never had this much space...

We have a ton of hand-me-downs! Our living room can't hold it all!

Quick update

Well, usually I'm much better at doing blogs, but lately my life has been a little crazy. Since May 1 I I've been on at least 14 trains (kinda lost count), 3 airplanes, and lots of subway lines. I finished teaching April 26 and have been traveling pretty much every since. I've made a few trips to Beijing for visa and passport stuff, out east for an amazing retreat, a trip up to Qinghai with my roommate, another trip out east to travel with some buddies for the last time, and I will head up to Beijing again shortly.

I'm very thankful that I was done with school so early so I have been able to slowly transition to Beijing. I've attended one of their studies a few times and have gotten to know some of the Chinese. My apartment is rented, contract signed, bike bought, and visa in process. I've explored the area for food and shopping and have unpacked most of my stuff! My new life in Beijing is waiting for me!

However, before I leave, I have lots of good-byes to say here. I don't think I really understand that my time in Wuhan is so limited. I've seen a lot of friends the past few weeks and it's hard to think that it might be the last time I see them. Yes, I'm still in China, but Beijing is a bit far away and some of them are also leaving Wuhan.

On another note, I'll be celebrating the 4th in America this year! I arrive July 1st in Chicago. :) Grill-outs and fireworks, here I come!

Beijing or bust!

Now that it's almost May and the next year's decisions (for most of us) have been final for some time, I've decided that I'll make it blog official as well. This February I was offered a job in Beijing. At first I had no interest but after thinking about it some more I looked into the opportunity. Again, after lots of "thinking" and thinking, I decided to move to Beijing! It was a hard decision and I'll miss my family and friends here in Wuhan, but I'm excited for the next adventure as well.

Year five in China will consist of A LOT of change!

I'll change my city from "small town" Wuhan of 10 million to "big city" Beijing of 20??
I'll change from teaching college students to probably 3rd-4th grade.
I'll change from living with a Chinese friend whom I love to living once again with an American, whom I'm sure I'll love.
I'll change from knowing how to get EVERYWHERE I need to go to asking directions on how to get to the fruit market.
I'll change from being almost the oldest and most experienced in the city to being a rookie, sort of,  all over again.
I'll change from bringing old friends to studies to meeting old friends at studies for the first time.

However., some things won't change..

I won't change why I'm here.
I won't change studying with amazing brothers and sisters.
I won't change growing in love with an amazing country hungry for "food".
I won't change the love I have for my S@vior and the love He has for me regardless of where I live!

Bring on the Jing! Bring on the change and the new opportunities and challenges I'll have. 

Year 5??

When I first came to China, I was planning on staying for two years. Then, after a fun learning time in China I would return to America or maybe another country to continue teaching. However, my plans are not always HIS plans. I'm finishing up year four in Wuhan and have yet another surprise to my life!

Next school year I will not be teaching in Wuhan. I have truly enjoyed my time here, but it's time to move on to anther place. I know, a lot of you are hoping that the next place is America. However, I won't be going to America, but to Beijing! I will be teaching at a grade school in Beijing this August. I'm very excited about this new opportunity I have.

So... year 5? Yes! I will be in China for another year and after that HE only knows... I trust that he will continue to guide me in what he wants me to do. HE has been so good to me so far, I can't wait to see what else he has planned for my life!!!