Slightly lost, I wandered around the courtyard of the Dandelion School on my first morning as a volunteer in search of the teacher's cafeteria. Smiling faces of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders greeted me as I passed by. Almost of them softly greeted me with, "老师好" (Hello, Teacher-- pronounced, "Lao Shi Hao), or shortened, "老好" (pronounced, "Lao Hao"). At first, I was taken back. Are they really talking to me? But seeing as everyone around me was in a middle school uniform, I quickly realized that they were indeed referring to me. It felt a little unearned: I don't even know where the teacher's cafeteria is located and they were already greeting me with such respect and formality. After we met the children in class and introducing ourselves, I quickly realized that the students were just really polite and appreciative of their teachers. At the beginning of every class the students would stand up and greet the teacher in unison. At the end of the class the students would stand up and in unison say, "老师辛苦了, 谢谢老师" (Teacher, you've worked really hard. Thank you, Teacher"). I reflect back to my own upbringing in the States, where although the teachers are appreciated, they aren't necessarily thanked very often. It's so interesting how the students at the Dandelion School have this culture of teacher appreciation.
|