I have been back to school for a month now and am coming to terms with the reality that on some days I don't love being a grade 5 teacher as much as I tend to tell myself that I do. I can't help but be fully engaged and committed to whatever it is that I am doing. Whether or not I like it, my innate sense of optimism, or (possibly more accurately) some control issues or a slightly obsessive compulsive pursuit of perfection, force me to apply myself 100% to the task at hand. Right now it's teaching grade 5, so I'm giving it my all. And I truly love it, in the moment. Lately, in my reflection time I realize that I don't have the same passion in my teaching throughout the day as I used to as a subject teacher. I think I prefer seeing students every other day and I enjoy the idea of being able to focus more closely on the teaching than on the behaviour. That being said, I think if I changed positions, I'd miss the classroom community that I work so hard to create as a homeroom teacher and the nurturing bonds that evolve between me and my precious students. I would also miss the challenge of my current position as grade 5 team leader. I work with an awesome group of talented educators who enrich my life each day. Here is a shot of us at the CDNIS Board of Govenors' cocktail reception last week at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Photo credit: Desmond Hastie

Recent reflections have led me to consider some possible changes in the near future. My thoughts range form career transformations to minor work details. The focus of my teaching passions these days tends towards 21st century learning and literacy, technology integration in the classroom, and teaching without walls (outdoor and experiential learning opportunities). Some aspects of these avenues can be fostered at my current school and I would consider on a possible role change for next year, if the opportunity presented itself. There are potential obstacles, of course, and I'm having trouble knowing what will be best for me and everyone involved (most importantly those cute little Gr. 4s I see on the playground who wouldn't be in my class next year if I change roles). I also have to keep my little, infectious travel-bug in check. We'll see what transpires.

In other thoughts and reflections on creativity, I've realized that my camera can sometimes be my catalyst for great experiences.  Last week I signed up for a hike on Sunday morning and as the meet-up time drew closer I was feeling less and less inspired to go. Then I looked over at my camera sitting dormant on my desk. I realized it has been a while since I'd taken pictures and I instantly found the motivation I was (until that moment) lacking. I threw on some quick dry pants, sunscreen and a hat and hit the trail. The hike ended up being a fantastic experience as I made friends with a 9 year-old boy who taught me everything I could have ever wanted to know about Hong Kong flora and fauna. His vocabulary was articulately diverse and his mannerisms were very grown up. He would pull on my hand gently when he needed my attention, or yell excitedly when he found something new to show me. After teaching me something about plant names and varieties, he'd find a way to quiz me later on down the trail. It was a very hot and hazy day. Prior to the hike I was feeling anti-social but needed to get out and move around. This little boy never even asked me my name. It was a perfect day.

Photo credit: John from HK Hiking Meet-Up

The above photo isn't my work, but I did take a lot of photos that day and spent a couple hours post-hike working on them before publishing them to the world online. I find that having my camera with me enriches my experiences so much. More importantly, the subsequent browsing, editing, enhancing and eventual sharing of my artistic representations of my experiences helps me understand those experiences on a new level. I feel this way about journaling and blogging too.

Last week I presented a full day technology integration workshop to teachers at my school about the value of teaching (guiding) students to create educational blogs in the classroom. If you haven't already, you should check out my new class website. On the right (middle) side bar there are links to my students' school blogs. Hosting the workshop reinforced my motivation and enthusiasm in the direction of becoming a technology integration specialist in the near future. A mixture of teaching teachers about classroom tech. integration and working with kids inside classrooms would be my new dream job. I just have to find the right place to embark upon it. Asia for sure. Hong Kong maybe.

Return to Hong Kong

The start of year 2 has been many things; pretty, peaceful, packed, powerful, physical and perfect.

1. Pretty: My creative energies have been tickled through photography opportunities on hikes, an afternoon at Art Jamming, and the Grade 5 first unit of inquiry "How we Express Ourselves with Digital Technology" (my perfectly awesome excuse to play and create masterpieces on my macbook!)

2. Peaceful: For my entire first year living at Lilian Court my view included quite a few racks of bamboo scaffolding and green mesh (standard HK building construction set-up) and on weekend mornings I usually awoke to a large-scale heavy machinery soundtrack. Half-way through the year scaffolding went up around Lilian Court itself, as workers replaced the drainage pipes for the entire building. My kitchen view became non-existent, the weekend morning soundtracks became interior orchestras and the smells of noxious chemicals, welding metal and even sewage occasionally penetrated my living space. Upon my return to Lilian Court this August I was thrilled to notice, on my first morning waking in my space-ship bedroom, that I could hear birds chirping amidst a sweet calmness. I opened all the blinds to a delightfully un-scaffolded view.

3. Packed: The pace of life and work in Hong Kong. Always busy.

4. Powerful: This is the first time in my short career that I have been afforded the absolute luxury of teaching the same thing for a second round. I have slowly identified within myself (and with the help of others' observations and comments) a serious control freak. My spirits become elated after carrying out simple organizational tasks and my psychological well-being is satisfied by knowing exactly what is going on and what is expected. My new team leadership role within Grade 5 has given me these insights into the big picture and completely satiated my inner control freak.

5. Physical: In my first month back in Hong Kong I have joined a Yoga school, 2 hiking groups and made it down to the school pool regularly after school. Creating a balance between school, fitness, professional development, cyberspace, social life and city life will continue to be a challenge, but I've set off on a energized foot which will hopefully remain strong.

6. Perfect: Life in Hong Kong  is good :)