The very first day at school, any school, a new teacher obviously has to say their name about a thousand times. You’re introduced to all the faculty and the students ask your name over and over in the halls. I knew that my name would be tricky because of the /th/ sound that is not used in Korean. What I didn’t know was the word my students would pick to associate with my name.... never in a million years would I have guessed.
So there I am, first day of school, meeting the first set of students in my classroom. So exciting!
Me: “My name is Bethany. Bethany. Bethany.”
Students: *pause* *thinking*.... “Batman!!”
Me: “…um...”
Students: “Batman Teacher!”
Needless to say I spent about the first two weeks of school going- “Batman, no.” *make sad face* “Bethany, yes!” *make happy face*
Most students caught on pretty quickly but there were a few stragglers that took a little more time. Jeong-Bin was particularly attached to my Batman Teacher name and has been the last hold out. No amount of frowning could get him to move on.
Well, today I think we’ve finally had a breakthrough and understand each other a little better. So henceforth I am now Bethany Batman Teacher when I’m around Jeong- Bin.
Sometimes teaching is about compromise.
2 comments:
I think your super-hero identity is very appropriate. :)
I knew you were 'super' from the day I met you!
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