I quit my job today. But don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. And, a more exciting opportunity is emerging. It has true “dream job” potential.

I picked this particular job because I was told I would teach math(s) and science to older kids who aren’t high schoolers. And that’s what I’ve been doing for summer school: grade 7 math, grade 6 math, and grade 5 science. It’s going OK, and I assumed that’s what I would be doing for the regular term, and was ready to continue, even though things weren’t perfect.

I got my schedule on Friday, and was pretty dismayed at what I was assigned: grade 7 math, grade 6 science, grade 5 social studies, and grade 2 math. Grade 7 math is my favorite, and I can sometimes relate to the older students, but now they tell me it’s only three hours a week. I don’t want to teach social studies, because it’s very verbose, and the students don’t understand a word I say.

But the last straw was the grade 2 math. Despite my earlier entry, I don’t know what the heck to do with the little kids. I don’t know how Thai kids compare with Americans, but these kids are extremely talkative, and have an attention span of 15 minutes. Getting them to stay in their seats and pay attention is a constant struggle. And if you manage that, they get bored after 15 minutes, so you have to have them do something else. I dread the chorus of “teacher finished.” About the only thing worse is “play game.”

I thought it over last weekend, and decided I’m not up to the task. And like I said, the fact that I have to teach little kids is news to me. I thought I would teach math and science to big kids.

The same thing happened to Ernest, who got stuck with a grade 2 class. He knows he can’t teach these kids, so he talked to our boss, and they decided to split on amiable terms, releasing him from his contract, and providing a letter of recommendation. I followed in his footsteps, and did the same.

I’m glad he did it, because I probably would have tried, and found I hated it. Then I would have been stuck for five months. The school takes a dim view of teachers who walk away in the middle of the term, and blacklists them with the Ministry of Education, so they cannot get a new work permit. Since I’m leaving before the term starts, they have plenty of time to find a replacement.

And for me, this is the best time to find a job, since schools are realizing they need teachers for the terms, and are desperately looking. But, through a connection, I may have a chance at my ideal job. I don’t want to say much lest I jinx it, but I will say that it involves adults, not kids, and computers. I’ll keep you posted.

I have my apartment set up all nice now, and was on the verge of buying a few things to make it homey. I have even used the nice weight room here. I like it here, and want to stay. But, it’s far away. I’m hoping I can work out a way to get out of my lease with my landlords. It will suck to move again, but I don’t own that much stuff, so it only take a few taxi rides across town.