How are you?

And suddenly, I was a teacher.

Before I started teaching, I was at school for a few days just to settle in and find my way around. I chatted to the vice principal. I answered all the usual co-teacher questions. I found out all about the life and times of Korean teachers and I even met a kid or 2. Then, one day, it was time to do what I came here to do... I ironed my shirt, I ate a good breakfast, and I got ready to face the first batch of my 450+ kids.

Full of misguided confidence, I stood up and introduced myself to my class. The co-teacher had just outlined the class rules, so she gave me 20 minutes for their little round faces to stare at me. And stare they did.

ME: Uh... hi. I'm Samantha. I'm from South Africa. Say "South Africa"

Students: *crickets*

ME: Ok say "Samantha"

Students: ...

ME, panicking: "Samantha. Sa. Man. Tha."

Little girl in group 4: Sa. Man. Da.

Students: Samandda.

ME: Thhhhhhhhhh. Say thhhhhhh

Students: ffffffff.

*facepalm*

The first lesson I taught was How Are You. I was scared. I was excited. I was bumbling around finding my "teacher genes". I made the kids stand up, fist pump, and yell "I'm GREAT!" - though I think it was more to psych myself up than anything else.

As I sit here typing this, I'm about to teach lesson 14 of 16 from the Korean national English text books to the very first class that I laid eyes on. I know that the little girl in group 4 who broke the silence that day is a bit of a smartass. I know the kid who mouths the words as I say them is not being cheeky - it's his way of learning. I know Donghyun needs constant attention and Minsu is smiling sweetly because he hasn't a cooking clue what's going on.

Today, during warmup, I'll ask again, how are you?

My own reply: I'm GREAT!