Haida excellent teacher | Music Teacher Inna's Experience

2021-11-19 11:28

    'Living and working in Hangzhou changed my life a lot. I am so grateful for this experience and the people I constantly meet on my way. In my daily life, I really like to study and learn something new. And the more I stay here, the more I'm interested in Chinese culture! '

    Inna, a music teacher from Ukraine, joined Haida in 2020. She has over 9 years of teaching experience and loves teaching in China.

1 Schools, teachers and students in China

    I have worked in different places and I can say that here in China and especially in Hangzhou, there is a very pleasant working atmosphere. 

    Students are curious. I remember one student who asked me what I was performing at the Art Festival at school because he wanted to listen to that music again. I noticed this more than once, very often they clarify after the lesson what kind of music it is and how to find this song to listen to at home. As for the lower grades, they are so open to the teachers! We always talk before the class starts and they love to teach me new Chinese words.

2 Biggest challenge in teaching career in China

    It was definitely the beginning of teaching at primary school. Earlier, as a music teacher, I had a slightly different teaching experience. I didn't have 30 students in the class. And here I had to adapt. 

    In addition, in music lessons, I wanted to come to the result that the curriculum was diversified as much as possible. I want to make my students get interested and want to learn, discover new things. Because music class it's not only about singing and learning the theory of music. In practice, I realized that my subject was not quite a typical one and it's important to include elements of drama and dances, as well as various activities, in order to reveal children as much as possible, so that they feel freedom to be absolutely open and creative. But I wanted to find out how to do that. 

    And I'm so thankful to Haida company for their training. I realized a lot of things and had a good chance to communicate with the other teachers. That helped me a lot, because I had a goal and needed some missing elements in the form of techniques for working with kids.

3 The most proud thing of being a teacher

    It's to understand that children trust you, they want to tell you some secret during the break. It is very touching and it's impossible to be unconcerned. 

    When children are really interested, they are involved in the lesson process and look at you with wide-opened eyes and wait for what will happen next. This process is so engaging that I want to make my classes better and more interesting. And also, I remember the students who were sitting quietly and were shy at first, and then after a certain period of time they were not afraid and raised their hand to sing a song or to play the musical instrument for the whole class. For me, this is a huge pride about my students. 

    After all, if they manage to do it here in class, this is a small first step, from which something bigger grows and it goes with them into the future.

4 The most impressed matter in current school

    In all my 9 years of experience as a teacher, this is the first place where children are so open-minded. They are creative and there are a lot of things to learn from them. Sometimes after the first time of watching the new song I notice how kids create interesting movements and then we can use them in our lesson. The assistants are also involved in the process, constantly helping to keep the discipline in the classroom. And I, in turn, can create a good atmosphere for all my little artists. This is the case when the stars converge. 

    When the students are creative, the team is friendly, lunch with colleagues is lunch with friends, and after work you are tired, but happy having another wonderful day! 

    I also want to note that the school provides everything you need for work. I have all the musical instruments I need, the classes are well organized, and I can print out all the materials. Chinese teachers are also very open and friendly.

5 First impression of Hangzhou

    The first impression was how to survive when it's so hot during the summer. I arrived in August, when it was hot and impossible to be outside for more than 15 minutes. But over time, I got used to it and now I am calm about any weather conditions. Nature in Hangzhou is absolutely wonderful! I have a permanent feeling of love when I live here. After all, it's very important for an esthete to be in a beautiful environment. Another note that in Hangzhou is a constant desire to move, work or just be busy with something.

6 Life at weekends

    My weekends are no less busy than work days. Usually on Saturday morning I have a Chinese online class. Then I can teach on my own for a couple of hours. I also really like to draw. But sometimes I like to go to a cozy quiet cafe, listen to my favorite music, drink latte and draw. That makes me feel happy and relaxed. Sometimes I go to the movies with my friends. Also I can go swimming or dancing, if I am in a stay-home mood I can cook a cheesecake and read a book. While writing all these, I realized that I have many different hobbies!

Drawing

7 Support from Haida

    Haida is always ready to help me and always in touch. This is important when there is someone who can help you to solve any problem if it arises. I like to take part in activities and attend training. I even like when Haida observes my class, because this is a constructive critique that makes me better as a teacher. 

8 Something else to share

    Living and working in Hangzhou changed my life a lot. I am so grateful for this experience and the people I constantly meet on my way. In my daily life, I really like to study and learn something new. And the more I stay here, the more I'm interested in Chinese culture!