Examinations and frustrations

This week, week 7, is a school-wide examination period. Each teacher is required to test the students in all subjects. This is an extremely stressful time for students. The kids that I tutor are 13 and 15, and I have seen them crying and getting in arguements with their parents all week. This is unlike them, so I blame it on the stress of the exams. During tutoring one day, Lynn didn't look at me or speak English at all. She looked at a Chinese book in between her huffy fits of rage. I just ignored her and continued to work with Derek. Yesterday, she was on the computer and listened to her iPod the whole time. Since Derek had taken his tests, he didn't have the need to study anything, so I allowed him to take a break and teach me Chinese. I only learned three phrases, but it was very informative. Sometimes the tutoring gets boring. We meet three times a week for an hour each time. This is in exchange for my rent, so I can't complain.
Because I'm at an elementary school, the examinations are not AS critical as they are for Jr. and Sr. high students. It is still difficult, tiring, and stressful. Last weekend was a vacation and most students reported to staying home and studying. During the students' scheduled class period with me, I am supposed to report to their classroom and monitor the testing. Yesterday, each time I reported to the classroom, the teacher told me I wasn't needed and I could "take a rest." So I watched movies on iTunes all day. Then today, the test have been running over. At 10:30 I was supposed to finally have a normal class to teach, but instead they asked me to come monitor their test. There was a 20 minute break for students; in this time they were teaching me on the chalk board how to write my Chinese name. They also taught me how to write happy ("how"). Chinese writing is so difficult! I got my name write a few times, but an error on one little line can change the whole meaning, so I messed up my name a few times and the kids laughed. One boy, Willy (always speaks out in class) started writing Chinese swear words. I knew it because the kids started laughing and looking in the teacher's direction as to not be caught. The teacher yelled something in their direction, then continued grading papers. I walked over to him and asked if they were writing bad words and he shook his head and said "yes, this is not good." I know these boys, so I should know better than to learn words from them! The testing began at 10:30. As soon as he handed out the tests, the classroom teacher said he needed to go talk to a teacher, so he left me in charge. For a second, the students thought that meant they could talk and show papers. I nipped that REAL quick. I stood up with my arms crossed and made eye contact with anyone attempting to cheat. For the next ten minutes they kept their eye on their own paper and the class was silent. At 10:40, the teacher returned and said that I was no longer needed and I could "take a rest." So I was pretty much a babysitter today! lol! I'm glad that I don't have to monitor the test, because that is the most boring thing ever. Ican't answer questions, because it's all in Chinese. So I honestly would just have to sit there and look at students working. I'm glad they allow me to "take a rest" and return to do whatever I need to do. In this case, blog! lol! I love watching movies and blogging and getting paid to do it.
On a less happy note, I have become extremely frustrated with the other foreign teachers, Gerry and Bette. Outside of school, I enjoy Bette. But, today all the two had to do was complain and argue with the Chinese teachers. This job is challenging all the time, and I have just learned to accept that and roll with the punches. I can't change the class size, I can't change the fact that some kids will NEVER get it. That is just a fact of life that I must accept. In the meantime, I do my best with what I'm given and try to reach every student as often as possible. The other FETs where complaining about everything and criticizing the way things are run. I don't see the use in this. 1) this is the first time this school has had foreign teachers 2) this is not the same as teaching in our home states (or provinces for them). They are both 44, from Canada, and have previous experience. So I don't know if it's an older generation thing, a Canadian thing, or my nievity as a new teacher...but either way it's useless complaining and I'm sick of it. I clench my teeth and try not to explode whenever they start to rant and rave about everything that is wrong. I'm seeing improvement in my students, I'm having a good time, and I'm doing the best I can. What more can you ask for? If I were to dwell on the fact that maybe 15 or 20% of my 3rd graders still don't know their name, where would that get me? I will just keep practicing with them and maybe one day they will remember. That's the best I can do. If you have any insight on how to be more accepting of the other FETs, I'm all ears. If you think I should join them, I'm interested to hear your opinion. I feel I am doing the right thing; I'm sure they feel they are doing the right thing. Who is absolutely correct?