A few days ago, I received a tutoring gig referral from a headmaster of a children's English cram school. I was informed that the parent was working as a professional in the legal industry. It should have been like any normal referral, I assumed. Little did I know that there was some surprises in store for me.
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![]() For the past two weeks, I have had class with a student inside the hospital. It was a very interesting situation. My student M had an incident where she was unable to stand up from seating position last week. While M tried to get up, her knees felt weak and she fell into a kowtow position at a public area. While the ambulance whisked her off in typical Taiwan efficiency, which is hellishly fast, she was transferred from hospital A to B and finally to C. Whatever the reasons were, M was slightly rattled and mildly nervous. She said when she was on the ambulance, her upper body and consciousness were still fine. Therefore, she took the time to "get to know the vehicle", reading off signs on various emergency equipment. I have to say, it was quite a review for me as a former physician. Her diagnosis was hypokalemia, which means low potassium (K+) levels in blood serum. The origins of the problem are yet to be known. Hypokalemia is potentially life-threatening and should never be taken lightly. Over the days, the steady, gradual climb of her blood potassium levels assured us that the worst possible scenario is temporarily averted. However, a thorough examination of her endocrine and nephrotic system is needed. Hopefully there will be some good news before she is discharged from the ward by the end of this week. While I was in the hospital, we chatted a lot of issues about herself and mine. While it may seem like conversational English on the surface, it was a very brotherly bonding time. I got to know her more and she got to know my stuff too. Stable mutual trust is established only when the instructor, whether he/she is a tutor, coach, or school teacher, takes the active role to cement the bond. I am grateful that this has happened and gave us a much-needed rest from the constant teachings that I usually give to any student. All the best. Caleb out. Hello there people! As I previously mentioned, Wuling Senior High School has scheduled 3 workshops to teach, encourage, and yes, to some extent, entertain, its new students about the idea of participating in English Debate team. In order for the team to function, there had to be people on the team besides me who knew how to teach and guide. Therefore, in a rather daring and risky move, I delegated a fair portion of the workshop tasks to the 2nd year debaters.
For educators in Taiwan, this is a harbinger for a catastrophic outcome. Many would argue and even suspect silently, "This Caleb dude is seriously out of his mind. I mean, high schoolers doing club events well, I kind of get it. But high school students handling a workshop series that potentially affects team recruitment?? Why??" ![]() Hello dear readers! I hope your summer has been nothing but exciting. I went to Taichung to train some students on Model United Nations. We had a blast talking about critical thinking, global politics, local politics in relation to social media, and fake news. It was amazing to see students light up as we discussed possible conflicts of interest among countries and how the YouTube political use is actually just a transient form of the fireside talks President Roosevelt used to do in the US. It has been a while since my last update on this page. I know I have been too busy but I did not forget about reconnecting with those who still keep an eye out for my news.
From February to June of 2019, my focus has been mostly on the English debate team of Wuling Senior High School. It is my first stint there and I aimed to ensure that I was totally focused on it when I am not doing private tutoring or coaching. I am Good day, readers. First off, for the first or second time ever in my life, I am going to use this phrase: Happy Lunar New Year. I like the fact that the Chinese Communist Party has forced many people, not just Taiwanese, to take a long hard look at history and roots. The Chinese do not OWN the lunar new year. Many countries in Asia do. That term is more fitting than ever. So this is the Year of the Pig and I am excited. After a whole lunar dog year of hardships, seemingly helpless setback, and reincarnation of self-identity, I am ready to make some changes. Treating myself better is definitely a start. That means giving myself some much-needed items. I got myself new academic-style glasses to replace the ones I broke over summer 2018. And no it is not one of those Korean-looking ones. I just look like my father.
Updates for the new year is that college entrance exam, winter version, for the Taiwanese high schoolers is finally over. That means shedding many students and returning to a state of relative tranquility. That's the good news. The exciting and new upcoming stress is coaching a new English debate team to face the challenges of Nationals next semester. I am very honored and humbled to get the chance to do this for the 3rd or 4th year. Putting myself on the spot and forcing myself to be vigilant on my own logic has helped not only students but also my own growth as I continued to set myself as an example of what to become for the young bloods in the future. From the beginning of the year, I was named debate judge for high school English debate nationals tournament. Never in my life had I ascended into such heights. I was always confident about myself as a teacher and English debate coach but never had I felt that I was "officially qualified" for a debate judge. I am grateful for NTNU's invitation and that experience gave me better perspective of who I was as a teacher and coach. Holding my ground as the newbie judge on the stage proved to be something new but I went through anyway and did excellent work. I even managed to make a speech that was intended to rouse the students into action - the reform and change we have all craved for in past elections in Taiwan.
Sadly, an unexpected storm hit me near the beginning of June that placed me at odds of going back to the school that I was beginning to call home and had served willingly for 2 years and 7 months. I had no choice but to adjust and adapt. As a former doctor, I believed in my duty to give the counseling that I learned in psychiatry department during my internship rotations. I also believed that I wasn't the conventional teacher and that my role was not "traditional". Unfortunately, not everyone concurs to that role I assumed I held. With the help of God, I was able to rise out of the ashes in November and became English debate coach at another school as well as newly defined role as debate specialist for students from various schools, both private and public. During those five to six months of loneliness and desperation, students from all forms of education relationship with me, came to my support and comforted me as I was emotionally scarred and deflated. I questioned myself whether I was fit to be a coach or a teacher in this country's education environ. Then I realized that there are still allies who knew who I was and were willing to give me the chance to succeed elsewhere. I can't thank God and everyone around me enough. Without my students' love, support, and unwavering conviction of my character, I would not have survived and certainly would not be writing this entry. I also lost my dear cat Mr. Black, to a speeding scooter rider who not only denied any wrongdoing but pursue reimbursement for his bike damage and clinic visits. Yet, during this time, God worked His wonders. I began to get more offers than I can ever imagine, from powerpoint presentation to just about any gigs. In the end, what the irresponsible man asked for was only less than one-tenth of the total income I earned in November. I am very fortunate. I hope Mr. Black is well and having fun with God near the church where I buried the remains of his cremated body. As for the karma, that man has a lot to look forward to this coming new year. I am not the one carrying those vibes. During the second half of 2018, I also crossed barriers, making strides into MUN coaching, debate coaching, and basketball pep talk. Teachers' development offers were truly a blessing and I am so fortunate to have caught the eyes of various schools who knew I had the value and passion to make things different for Taiwan. Thank you all for seeing the good in me and making me whole again as a working member of this society. As the last day of December closes and many people will flock the bars, clubs, KTVs, and outdoor celebrations, I will stay up at a quiet place and quietly pray to Jesus, telling Him that I thank Him for all the protection, hope, and strength He bestowed on me. I know my life can't be taken for granted. I am servant of God and I will do anything I can to continue His work on Earth to make it a better place than when I was born. Goodbye 2018. Hello 2019. It's been a long time since my last post. I have been busy teaching and doing some coaching on the side. Everything has been a whirlwind as we near the end of another year. I am blessed to have so many game-changers in the last 3 months of 2018.
I was asked to give a lecture on how journalism and debate can be integrated into MUN. Although I had less than 48 hours to hatch everything, it was familiar territory. I brought the teachers into the application of MUN and feeling how it is. Countries that people were most familiar with, were easier to do. Other countries less known to the Taiwan public became much much harder to research and find information on. This was something that required students AND teachers to be concerned about. Globalized society includes EVERYONE, not just the big or powerful countries. They also got a taste of what journalism truly is as well as how debate is necessary for negotiations of all scales. Debate's cross-examination skills were brought onto the table and they were attentive to the questions thrown at them because they realized I didn't come to just play. I came to instruct and make changes. Aside from pointing out the fact that MUN was never just a show and that it is the breeding grounds for future leaders, negotiators, and diplomats, I gave a very heavy take-home message for teachers to bring back to their classrooms, as you all can see below. Many people like to say that networking is the most effective way to expand businesses. However, in the line of education business, there is an equally effective alternative path: word of mouth. As young educators and instructors that aren't fixed in any particular institution or organization, we know that sometimes it isn't about how great you are at your craft, but rather, how well your clients know you and the VALUE they see in your services.
I had the opportunity to work with very smart and determined students in the past three years that boosted me into the spotlight for various teaching and coaching opportunities. People have seen what wonders and results I can produce when given near-full permission to maneuver with the students. I thought all this time I was just giving some students a good experience with true English coaching and transparent communication. I was gaining silent allies from all sides of the society. The people on the streets who know what I do for a living. The restaurant owners who saw my passion in debate and public issues. The homeless person who sits by FamilyMart and talks me from time to time. The teachers and students who saw me conduct myself with honesty and accountability. Columbia International School's MUN kids were going out today at lunchtime. I was contemplating as my cold and everything happening around me was taking a toll on my health. However, I have this thing with kids, clients, and patients alike: once I worked with them, I want them to not only excel but also foster a lifetime of mentorship. So when Robert Lo asked me to send them off I did not hesitate at all. It was worth everything as the kids were so happy and ready to take that energy to Canada. Good luck kids! ![]() Afterwards, Robert and I went to lunch at Burger King. And then came a text message from another school: Hangyin High School. Robert casually debriefed me about the school, transitioning quickly into a summary of the school basketball team and stuff. "Seems like the kids lost by 40 something points last night and the whole school student body is...well, apathetic about it." I may have been sick, but my eyes lit up in alert. Anything of this magnitude for a sports team in high school level, especially a private school that takes in students whose SOLE responsibility and learning goal is to play ball, this is a pure no-no. I quickly replied, "They need a pep talk. This is not right." As we walked out of Terminal 1 in the rainy afternoon, we went into his car to travel to the school he talked about. |
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