Two very different handshakes

The other day, I was at one of my elementary schools and I received two distinct handshakes.

One handshake was given just because I can speak English. My mother tongue, so it really is no achievement on my part. Basically, I went to cruise the play area during lunch time, with the goal of talking to as many new faces as possible. Which, sadly is most of the school (because, as I've begrudgingly mentioned, I only teach year 5 & 6 99.99% of the time).

So I went up to a group of kids who were playing with a skipping rope, and introduced myself as an English teacher. One of the kids, clearly impressed, held out his hand for me to shake. In a "wow, what an honour" kind of way. It was obviously a cute and kind thing for him to do, but, it felt undeserved. I hadn't done anything to warrant such an expression- I had simply been born in an English speaking country, and hence had developed such an ability.

The second handshake just made my day, and I'll put it in the treasure of memories which I have been accumulating in my years of teaching. I had just finished teaching a year 6 class about the topic "What do you want to be?". Pretty dry lesson, just going through new vocab about jobs, the occasional game.

I am always bright and chirpy in class, I guess that's my general disposition as a teacher ( even if I'm kind of dying on the inside from having taught the EXACT same lesson 5 times in a row, as was the case on this day). I was quite surprised that the kids seemed quite interested for the duration of the lesson... Maybe because usually they are focused on words such as apple, pudding, and ball which the kids already know, and thus have reason to tune out.

Anyway, at the end of the lesson after saying goodbye I was practically put the door when one if the girls in the class stopped me. She stuck out her had for me to shake. In an act of appreciation- for exactly what, I don't know- but it was such a touching moment. She then said thank you (ありがとう). Awee!

I don't know why I waned to share those experiences here... I guess because they represent the facets of my job. On one hand, I am here only because I know how to speak a language which is highly regarded. I teach English, I am the "native English speaker", the foreigner.

But, on the other, I'm here as a person, as me, and to be recognised, and even o guess appreciated as such, is one of the greatest feelings. So thank you, little girl, you don't know how much that handshake meant to me!