Teaching English: Ningbo, China... Shantay, I Stayed!

So, my reintroduction to 'Teaching English' in China was a lot, blogging about such an experience was never on my radar. Change is upon the horizon and it just feels right to cherish those memories and celebrate the growth made. From K3 to K2 and back again, this teaching moment has been eventful, it has been life changing! Truthfully, a three year hiatus was no joke! 

Landing into China during February 2023 put the cat amongst the pigeons, I had a lot to prove and I was ready! Ready? I was born ready for that China return after that lengthy hiatus! It comes time for me to say goodbye to this Ningbo based educational organisation here in mid 2026. From those first Halloween events to even dressing up as a mermaid, there's not been a moment to lose! I feel very grateful for this experience because nothing good comes easy. I have worked alongside amazing educators from across the globe, making connections and collaborating has been magic! The children have made my experience sweet, there have been active moments filled with light and laughter because teaching English can be a lot of fun! Professionally, I have learned a lot, it has been a fruitful experience, almost becoming a pseudo-primary school teacher with K3 being my most taught age range! My next station has been confirmed, I am at peace. My 2025-2026 class will be graduating like me, it's a brand new start! 

How many classes have I taught? There was the first class, that was a K3 class from February 2023 until the graduation took place in July 2023. Returning from a lengthy summer holiday saw me stay in K3, second time round I was a Lion after not long being a Tiger! For me, the first six months had been a settle in period, getting to relearn the ropes was something different! After three years out of the classroom, it was a lot to get back into the swing of things. Change with programs saw me make some learning moments with notes taken during that full year of K3. Life comes to challenge us, we must learn from those situations and grow! I did just that! After the second graduation in June 2024, I took a few steps downstairs to K2, calm and collected I was able to meet my longest serving class of children! Growing up from Owls to Lions, I felt that K3 would be magic third time round, it has been busy but I have much more in my wheelhouse! From 2023 through to 2026, it's been a journey! Nothing but love for, Ningbo! 

Starting the Autumn Term with a team that gave me hope was what I needed, that was very much a plus! Getting to know the children was the best, their parents were accepting and receptive to feedback once the first 'Parent Teacher Conferences' came round. Life shuffled certain cards, I had a new K2 colleague start at the school, let me just say collaboration with that soul has been lovely. Fate had saw that I was ready to work, I didn't need any of that funky business! Classes were a breeze, it was like I had found my feet, the class was meant to be! K2's pacing was a lot but I knew where to stand and had things organised, of course my ways will never change but I had a hold on my duties with hindsight in mind. September turned into December, I got the chance to be a host on the stage at the Christmas event and it was just the best thing ever! I felt comfortable with the microphone in my hand, it was a great opportunity to shine and be my best for the parents in my class to see me! 2025 would be blessed, I had faith! 

Were there any career highlights during that Christmas/Winter period whilst at that teaching company? You know what? I was able to host the Christmas/Winter event, it was mainly during the second half but I did my best and followed the script to a t. I wore a kilt which was an interesting choice but it was memorable because I had to get it fitted and I'm sure those measurements were wrong but I pivoted and the show must go on! Being on the stage was the drug I needed, I was high on life and the buzz from being on stage was amazing! The nights hosting was a success, somewhere, somehow the school must've liked what I did because I was asked to host an in-house Chinese New Year event before 2025s festivities. I had found my feet, hosting was something I really enjoyed, it was better than doing a dance routine that was for sure! Be careful what you wish for, the old proverb goes! Heading off to the Philippines again and Thailand for the first time, I was able to spread my wings once again! I kept things moving! 

Returning from my 2024 Christmas holiday got 2025 started the right way, I was about to be tested but I was ready to do my best without being flustered! I took on the concept, proposal and got the ball rolling for our 'STEAM Exhibition' project with 'Snakes' as our core focus. I tackled purchase orders, coordinated the children as best I could as we created our STEAM elements. STEAM had not been my most favourite part of my job during the previous year, I felt confident and in-control with those snake inspired elements. Doing my best to be resilient, I worked very hard to ensure that things came together, it was after all the 'Year of the Snake!' I actually don't even like snakes but the topic slithered into our K2 Owl classroom and the kids loved every second of it! With our team fully reunited, the dynamic surrounding our STEAM project came together in the best way! Before I flew away to Thailand in February 2025, I had those lessons completed! K3 in 2023 had done me good, K2 flowed and I honed my style from it. Yes!

We attempted to make a carbon-fire snake but that didn't quite workout, the kids loved seeing the flames regardless, controlled it was. We made snake bubbles with tea towels, food colouring and dish soap, that was a hit! Ideas complimented each other, the focal point for our exhibit came together with ideas and application coming together. The children loved making snake eggs and their own nest, my co-lead sourced some craft wire, this enabled the kids to make their own snakes that had form. It was fun for the kids to make their own snake environment in a small reptile container. It was magic seeing our new students slot into the programme without any issues, that was a big hit for the class. The year was already halfway through and I would soon have another huge project to deal with! Our exhibition was a hit, the kids spoke well during the presentation and it gave me life to know that I had still done my best the previous year! I won't ever devalue 2024s efforts because I did what I needed to do! Now, that's called growth! 

A Drag Queen? Yes!

Desperately Seeking Adventure