Teachable Moments

Teaching, research, and service in Special Education: What I'm learning

Thoughts of the first day of school in China!

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I did it!  I survived my first day of teaching graduate school in China.  My wonderful TA, Winnie, met me at my hotel to walk me over to class.  She brought along her roommate and friend, Rachel.  They are both Master’s students in Special Education, and have the same advisor.  And, they’re both in my class.  We were all excited, and all a little nervous for our own reasons.  They were nervous and hopeful that I would be able to understand their “poor English” (in reality: it is humbling how well they can speak English…and how poorly I can speak Chinese) and that they would please me… and I was nervous and hopeful about how things would go in class.  Will the students like me?  Will they understand me?  Will they be receptive to the way I teach?  Will the technology work?  What does the classroom look like?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  In many ways, these are the same first day of school jitters I have every new semester.  As Winnie and Rachel walked me to the College of Education, I got to see more of the Old Campus.  It is so beautiful.

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From left to right: Winnie, Me, Rachel.  Behind that sculpture is the library.  It’s about 70 years old, and I can’t wait to go inside.  It is beautiful!

We arrived at the College of Education, and the girls were so excited to show me their building.  And to take pictures.

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Rachel and Winnie in front of the College of Ed

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Me, with my wonderful TA Winnie, in front of the College of Education

Class was such a rush.  If you know me at all, you won’t be surprised to know that I had to really hold it together to not cry when I introduced myself, and also when I wrapped class up at the end.  It was such a rush of emotions to actually be there, after wondering what this would all be like…. and to have felt like the students really responded to what I was there to share with them.  I held it together, but it was not easy. 🙂  The Dean of the College came to my class to introduce me (in Chinese) to the students.  The students smiled and clapped as the Dean told them various facts about me.  Then she passed over the ropes to me, and it was time to begin.  It all worked out.  The technology was in place, there was an air conditioner in the room, and most importantly, I am already in love with my students.  I have 43 students, a mix of Master’s and doctoral students.  41 women, and 2 men.  All are from various Education disciplines ranging from Preschool to Special Education to Educational Leadership.  One student is from Physics!!

After class, I was in for a real treat.  Winnie took me out to dinner with her girlfriends.  She explained that they are a sort of sisterhood — they are all Special Education Master’s students and all have the same advisor.  I understood immediately.  I have my own sisterhood, all of the women in my PhD program that studied under the same advisor, Mary.  It’s a bond that is so tight that they truly are sisters.  It was another moment of being in another world, yet things are just the same.  These are my favorite moments in China.  When we learn universal truths and experiences that we all have in common.

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I loved being out with these girls.  They ordered the most delicious dinner.  My favorites were Chinese Yams (they explained to me — eat many of these.  They are good for your beauty), and Japanese tofu on top of fried egg.  We also had a really lovely egg white and greens soup.

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They were fascinated to ask me about being “mixed blood” — a mix of backgrounds.  They said, “We are all just Chinese.  You are so many bloods.  Tell us about all your bloods.”  We also talked a lot about different cities across China, and of course they had many questions for me about the US.  They wanted to know all about my boyfriend, and wanted to tell me all about theirs.  It was so special, and surreal to have dinner with them.  Female friendships are so special.  Their sisterhood is a tight one.  They clearly all love and look out for each other.  And last night, I loved being welcomed in as a part of their sisterhood.

 

Author: Kristin Murphy

I'm an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. My research interests include Special Education teacher quality and professional learning opportunities, particularly in exclusionary school settings. I am passionate about qualitative research in my field! I have held various Special Education-related teaching, research, and policy roles over the past fifteen years in London, New York City, Florida, and Boston. I am a lifelong Gator, and I love pugs and coffee.

One Comment

  1. So proud of you, Dr. Murphy!

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