Harvard's Great Failure

It’s not looking like I’ll ever get that Honorary Doctorate from Harvard (or any college), but I have something much more meaningful— a Pokeman card a 3^rd grader in Macau gave to me. It  was his way of telling me— “I loved the 30 minutes I spent in your class. So much so that I’m gifting you with the most precious possession I happen to have with me at the moment.”

 

I recently wrote a Facebook post praising the joy of teaching in Taiwan and ended with “On to Macau where more glories await!” I was not wrong. 12 classes with kids from 3-years-old to Grade 7 and each one worthy of wrapping up and preserving as the best I have to offer. So many direct and subtle nods and smiles from kids telling me in their way, “You nailed it!” The delightful comments— like the girl who asked me how old I was and when I told her the truth, said, “Wow! How do you have so much energy?!” The 5-year-olds in hog-heaven in my paper-plates class, havingas much fun as hogs rolling in mud. The girl who held back much of one class and then volunteered to try to play the melody on the xylophone in front of the whole class—and she did! Another little girl who ran up to me and gleefully exclaimed, “I love you because I love ducks! (dougs).” The young boy whose Secret Song was a John Cage glissando polyphony. And of course, the boy who gave me the Pokemon card. 

 

As if this wasn’t enough, another delicious two hours with 40 kindergarten teachers who sang well and played children’s games with gusto. One more workshop tomorrow with Hong Kong/ Macau music teachers and then back to retirement. Luckily, not for long before the next round begins. 

 

Meanwhile, I believe I will frame this Pokemon card and too bad, Harvard, you missed your opportunity!