Welcome to this month's Teacher Spotlight!
When I reached out to our teachers two months ago for nominations, Nolwazi's name popped up a few times! I did a bit of digging and found her Instagram page (check it out @nolweezyf - she has some seriously cool photos)and from that, I could see that she's embraced life in China to the full. Nolwazi has been teaching in Shanghai for seven months and works at Zhou Jia Zui, Yangpu District.

What was online teaching like?

The online teaching experience came at a time when there was so much uncertainty everywhere so I appreciated the opportunity to still work and have some sort of continuity while it seemed as though everything else in the world was at a standstill.
The best part about online teaching is that it comes with the flexibility of being in the comfort of your own home. I noticed that some of my shy students were a bit more confident online and it was great seeing their personalities through the screen. Being away from the classroom has really helped to build stronger relationships and we are all so much more appreciative of the classroom experience.

What do you love most about teaching?

Every day feels purposeful. The students are learning while I am enjoying the classroom games and activities just as much as they do. When working with children, you are guaranteed a smile and a genuine good laugh every single day.

What’s your experience in China been like?

China was everything I had imagined it would be in terms of it being so tech-savvy and most of my everyday life now being digital. Moving to a big city like Shanghai I was however pleasantly surprised at the amount of gardens, parks, and lakes available on this side. In between all the tall buildings you can still see plenty of trees, flowers or even go for a boat ride at a lake. I love both the city life and nature so I was really impressed at seeing the two coexisting.

Word of advice for new teachers coming to China:

Pack light. Most of what you will want to bring with you is available this side and if not (with time) you are sure to find a good enough alternative.
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If you'd like to nominate someone for teacher of the month, reach out to us on Instagram @kidcastleedu or send us an email: ft_recruiting@kidcastle.org.cn