The Newbies

I’ve been in “new teacher orientation” since last Monday, and today was the first in-service day for returning teachers. The other new teachers and I have had an awesome time hanging out and exploring Phnom Penh in various configurations. I’ve met so many people in the last two weeks, and it only seems right to give you a mini-directory before the number gets too overwhelming. So, for your reference, the new teachers are:

Sarah – my roommate, from Indiana, teaching first grade. Sarah is one of ten siblings, loves creating bulletin boards, and has more common sense than I do. (Thank goodness!) She and I are both excited to get to know our neighbors, and she’s even hoping to organize some of the neighborhood kids (who always say “hello” as we walk down the street) into a little English club.

Danielle – from Texas, teaching health, P.E., swimming, and algebra. Danielle loves tie dye and has been dancing for over a dozen years (all kinds). Having just turned 22, she’s the only one younger than I am.

Lorissa – from Winnipeg, Manitoba, teaching kindergarten. Lorissa taught in Thailand last year and spent a year in China teaching English, but Cambodia has been her first love for a while since making friends from here while at college.

Erin – from Florida, teaching art and kindergarten swimming. Erin has many ties to PA: her mom’s from Philly and her dad’s from Pittsburgh, so she grew up rooting for the Phillies and the Penguins. While Danielle and Lorissa live together, Erin is staying with 4 returning teachers.

Bob + Thierai (sp? Pronounced like “Tear-Eye”) – from Minnesota, he’s teaching sixth grade, she’s helping a third grader one-on-one due to his developmental delays. (“I’m just here with him,” she always says.) Thierai is a native of Cambodia and ethnic Khmer, but came to the US as a refugee decades ago. Bob loves being here; Thierai is adjusting to life as a “hidden immigrant,” where people tell her that her accent is funny and even tell her she looks Korean and not Khmer.

Suzanne – from Vancouver (?), ESL coordinator. Suzanne has fascinating stories about her time in Taiwan, Japan, and the houseboat community of CA. Determined to master the Khmer language, she’s the only one with a homestay. She gave us a quilting class last week, which her host family’s cook, Bonika, also attended in hopes of starting a microbusiness in quilting. Suzanne is my kindred spirit in her love for Jane Austen-esque literature and period films like “North and South” (one of 2 movies I brought along).

Shirley – a South Philly native, teaching fifth grade. Shirley left her career as a social worker to obtain a master’s in education from Penn and teach reading at a special education school before coming here. As the lone African-American on staff, she has a beautiful and powerful voice that resonates, especially when talking about her passion to help kids here, or when praying about God’s promises for Cambodia.

Lyle – from California, IT specialist and computer teacher. He just arrived Monday from 2 years teaching English in Japan. His girlfriend is also working in Phnom Penh, so hopefully we’ll get to know her too when she returns in a couple months. We’ve all been eagerly anticipating Lyle’s arrival; he even missed part of orientation Monday and Tuesday to fix some server issues. He’ll have his hands full, for sure!