Wai Kru Day

Last June 19th 2008, we had Wai Kru Ceremony.Each year a Wai Kru ceremony is held where the students pay respect to their teachers. They are doing this partly to thank their teachers for teaching them well in the past, but also in order to gain merit and good fortune for the future. Wai Kru is usually held towards the beginning of the new academic year. One thing that always remains the same between the schools is that it takes place on a Thursday. This is considered an auspicious day for such a ceremony.











Every student came to school with a bunch of flowers for their teachers.The whole school took part in Wai Kru, from Anuban to Mattayom.











The flowers used in the arrangement are symbolic. Dok Ma Khue (eggplant flower) stands for respect because when the tree is blooming its branches bend down in the same way a student pays respect to their teacher. Ya Praek (Bermuda grass) stands for patience or perseverance because although the grass looks wilted it is still very much alive. Khao Tok (popped rice) stands for discipline because the rice is placed in a pan together and heated up to become popped rice. The Dok Kem has the same name as the Thai word for needle. So it means the student will be sharp-witted and brainy.Among the flowers can be seen three incense sticks and a candle. Together with the flowers, they represent the Triple Gem (or ratanatri). That is the Buddha, his Teaching and the Sangha (the monks).Prayers were then offered by monks and students. Then everyone took a vow to be loyal to their nation, religion and King, to be good pupils, to behave themselves, and to obey the school rules.

Simple flowers yet when done creatively is really neat.





































Roses from Wassana and Best


I'm so grateful for Ajarn Mai (my Thai English coordinator) who gave me all these photos during the celebration.

Wow..... to teach... is to touch lives...... FOREVER.....

At the temple

Living a new culture is exciting and it's a wonderful opportunity learning about them. This is my first time to visit a Buddhist temple. I've observed the way they worship with the presence of the monks. In the photos below, teachers pay respect to monk who received a merit from the King. This monk helped a lot in school activities as well as supervising the school system.

Wat Chaimongkol Teaching Force

Inside the temple with the monk who received a merit from the King

Receiving a gift (they call it Lucky Charm) from the monk

A pose with the team

As time passes, I become more familiar with this new culture and find it easier to interpret the subtle cultural cues. I feel more confident, develop new friends and manage social and professional interactions more comfortably. My teaching is more effective andI know I will gain a sense of really benefiting from this experience.