Shake that Shade

Everyone has had those 'too good to be true' moments, where they were right; things really were too good, and when they decided to change, they changed for the absolute worst. I'm pretty sure that's happening to me now.

My first month in China has been a total blast so far; I've done so much new stuff, seen so many cool and strange things, and enjoyed the abundance of freedom and cheap food. And I was getting well paid to do work that I enjoyed, that challenged me and helped me grow. 

But, one aspect of my situation that has bugged me, a kind of worm of doubt, is that I'm not really qualified to teach at this school. I've been carrying my weight, but I don't have the certification, or really the right visa, to be a professional teacher in China, and especially not at a magnet school like #43. Knowing this, the school informed me from day one, since before I arrived, that I would actually just be filling the position until a qualified teacher arrived. At the time, I figured that probably meant, upon his arrival, my pay would be reduced by half, or so, the new teacher would take some of my classes, and life would continue about as it had before.

But I was wrong about all of that.

David, the new teacher, arrived at the end of last week. And my director told me he would actually handle all of my previous classes, and that I would be moved into the Kindergarten, where I will teach about 8 classes a week compared to my earlier 21. Because of these reduced hours, my salary will also be reduced to about a quarter of my original income; down to roughly 2200 yuan ($340) a month.

I guess, generally, this would not be a terrible blow. But, budgeting for a 50% decrease, I had planned a trip to Shanghai with the other teachers, and enrolled in a Chinese class that already costs about 2000 yuan a month. And my tutoring students don't bring in quite enough to live off. And there is the fact that I have actually no experience teaching five-year-olds. And, of course, I did not say goodbye to all of my previous classes.

Obviously, the pay decrease is something of a problem, but my new students are also kind of worrying me. I've already figured out from my previous classes and tutoring students that while all the kids I teach are cool enough, I do prefer to teach older kids; they are able to understand the higher concepts and technical nuances that I like to teach about. But kindergartners, as far as I have seen, have little capacity to understand these things in a second language, especially when they've only just become proficient in their first.

So, with this re-assignment, a cloud is passing in front of the sun here in Shijiazhuang. I have no doubt it will pass in time, but it is a bummer while it lasts. I guess while the shade is here, I'll rest in it, and pick up some more tutoring students to fill my schedule and wallet.

By the way, you guys don't worry too much; pray if you feel compelled to help. Financially, I'm already reacting by cutting back on my Chinese lessons from three times a week to only twice. I've also figured out my eating situation so that it's economic and healthy. And I just got my state and federal tax returns if I need some emergency cash from the ATM. As for teaching Kindergarten, there's less I can do to prepare, though I am doing what I can. 

Oh, and I took a few more pictures that can be found in the album. You know, if you're a pictures kind of person.