It’s Monday morning and as I’m walking down my school’s open-aired hallways, shouts of greeting follow me:
“Look it’s Miss B,” “Hello Miss B!” “Miss B 好 (hao or “how do you do?”)！”
I feel like a celebrity.
Well at least my 3rd graders think I am one. When I first arrived at my school in Suzhou I was surprised (and a little thrilled) at the warm reception I received from my future students. I could hardly walk down a hallway without various students crowding around me asking me rapid fire questions about who I was and where I was from. As time went on, I thought that this enthusiasm would wane, but as it turns out it I still receive shouts of joy as I enter classrooms.
I teach twenty-one classes a week, full of third to sixth graders at a public school in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). Whenever I’m feeling too tired to teach, all I have to do is walk into one of the third grade classes and cheering immediately ensues, along with shouts of “外教课” (Waijiaoke or “Foreign teacher class”)!” and “Miss B!” Students press up against me as I lay my materials out and try to get situated. They ask me numerous questions in both Chinese and English. They look at what I’ve brought to class. They turn things over and analyze every move I make.
“Why do you write with your left hand?”
“Miss B what’s that?”
“What are you wearing?”
“How old are you?”
These are just a few of the questions I receive on a daily basis.
Although this enthusiasm fades as they get older (pretty sure there are no six graders shouting with glee as I enter the class…), it really sustains me throughout the week. Teaching over a thousand kids can be exhausting. But their limitless energy and affection make me take a step back and be thankful for my position at the school. As a first year teacher, I don’t always teach the best classes but despite this, they welcome me each week with open arms and usually, a desire to learn.
I walk the halls of my school and am greeted by students passing with “Hello Miss B!” Even the second graders (who I don’t teach) have started to speak to me. They always seemed shocked when I respond, as if they don’t think their English will work. There are many trying aspects of my job, and my relationship with my local teachers are not always a walk in the park. However, if there is one thing I am grateful for, it is the love of my 3 and 4th graders.
To them, I’m the coolest person ever. 15 minutes of fame? More like a full 40 minute class period.