For my first official blog post of my SOS International’s Morim Project, I could tell you how privileged I felt to be in a school in a foreign country teaching classes about music composition, or the camaraderie I experienced with the other teachers at Scheiber Sandor Gimnazium. But what stood out the most was the very first interaction that I had with a student of this institution.
Shorty after arriving, I was taken on tour by a Grade 13 student named Anna. She had many things to say about Scheiber Sandor, but what stood out to me is how she described her school as feeling very much like a family; while other schools may be bigger and fancier, she clearly believes this school’s main purpose is to nourish the soul of its student body.
This comment surprised me a bit, as it sounded rather profound and earnest coming from a student. Here is a young lady who understands her school’s mission. This isn’t just about passing state-sponsored mandatory exams, this is about creating human beings, about being there for your community and each other.
Immediately I understood what she was implying, as I work at a school whose mission is not so different. This reminded me that what we as teachers do is important work, and when we are validated by the words of a student, it hits home even more.
Personally, when I arrived in Budapest I wasn’t completely sure of what to expect from this journey, but after my conversation with Anna, I knew, at the very least, that the teachers at Scheiber Sandor and my colleagues from Beth Tfiloh are all coming together in this experience with the same mission in our hearts. I am very excited to see what will blossom from this partnership!
