August 1, 2005

Dear Friends,

A new school year begins in ten days at CMIS (Chiang Mai International School). We have 400 students from kindergarten through grade 12 and 45 teachers from various countries. For a variety of reasons, 17 teachers left at the end of the last school year. This is a much larger turnover than usual. The new teachers will be adjusting to a new country, a new culture, a different apartment or house, different food and money and will be surrounded by a new language and an unfamiliar school with students from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts.

During the break between the last school year and the new one, I have been reflecting on some of the past year's events and challenges, hoping that they have taught me something.

I think back to the beginning of the year, as I became aware of the social, academic, and emotional range within the group of students I was teaching. I don't remember ever seeing such extremes within a group before. I knew it was going to be a challenge to deal with aggressive hitters and biters, non-English speakers, and many with strong personalities. I knew I would have Jasmin, my Down syndrome girl, back again and wondered how she would fit into this group. (She continued to run away when we left the classroom for another location or activity. She also continued to climb anything higher than herself and refused to come down without much coaxing.)

By the end of the year I had students who cared for each other and listened to each other and looked out for Jasmin when necessary. This meant more to me than any of their academic accomplishments.

In May, just weeks before the end of the year, Jasmin's father came for a visit. He is not in Chiang Mai often because he works in Hong Kong. The school was going to allow her to continue to be a student here in kindergarten for the next school year, but due to her size and age it was decided she had to move on to first grade. We talked about Jasmin going on to first grade with a full-time helper provided by the family. Her father already had a helper lined up. Our visit was a good one. Two days later, however, Jasmin’s mother came to tell me that she was moving with her two girls back to their home village. She was upset and was hardly able to tell me this, so I thought the worst. There was only one more day of school before they would leave, but time at least for a farewell party. Jasmin did not understand what was happening but she loved her party and the class was wonderful. A few weeks after her departure an email came from Jasmin’s dad to thank me for working with her and to report that the move to the village was only until he could establish himself in Bangkok in a new job. I have not heard from him since, but hope that that has happened. Through this drama I was made aware of how attached and protective we teachers get sometimes. The class had meshed and become as caring as a family. We all missed Jasmin that last month.

Now to look ahead a little, I am excited about being here for another year of kindergarten teaching. The school is moving to an all-day program and I get to work out the bumps in that. I am thankful to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to the Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ for allowing me to continue doing something that I love to do, and to you out there who support the work of the church.

Blessings,

Michal Dobson