A Year with VIPKID

I have been teaching with VIPKID for one year!  Almost 2 years ago, my husband and I made some major decisions about me quitting the job I had.  There were many reasons for leaving the position.  A major one being how much of my time was being spent taking care of other people, and my family was getting my leftovers.  There were a few reasons to stay--people I truly loved, a big paycheck, and benefits.  After much prayer and reflection, we decided the best thing for our family was for me to quit.

My wacky, wonderful family!

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a wife and mama.  That's it.  Sure, there were other goals and dreams, but my primary hope was to grow up to take care of a husband and to raise a family.  In this world, I have been labeled a little foolish or old-fashioned to have such simple dreams.  I'm ok with that.  The desire of my heart was to have a family.  My family structure has had many changes over the years, but the dream never changed.  I love being a wife.  I love being a mom. 

Last summer, after several medical issues and visiting multiple doctors, I was told I needed an emergency full hysterectomy.  The surgery was scheduled about 6 months after leaving my steady job.  During those 6 months, God provided temporary ways for me to make an income.  While on the 6 week bed rest recovery, I came across VIPKID.  I researched like crazy.  I prayed.  I applied.  I was hired!

One year later, I am still in love with VIPKID.  Thus far, the only "drawbacks" I have dealt with are having to do my own taxes (thank you, H&R Block) and not being able to have benefits (insurance, sick days, etc.).  Truly, those reasons hardly put a dent in my VIPKID experience.  If I have had a medical problem, an emergency with a child, or even loss of power, the VIPKID team has been very understanding, and I have no problem with how they dealt with any mishaps I had.

VIPKID classroom

After a year of waking up at 5:30am and teaching until 10am six days a week and a few hours on Sundays, I still feel extremely blessed to have found this company.  I don't mind the hours.  I've even added on some night classes.  To sum it all up, here is my year-end-top-ten-list for VIPKID:
10.  Money!  I love that VIPKID rewards me for my education and experience.  This is the first job that has cared that I have a Master's Degree!

9.  More Money...I love the bonuses I can earn, the crazy incentive programs that they launch, and the control I have over how much I make.  I set my hours.  I decide what hours to work to make the amount of money my family needs.

8.  ESL.  I have always enjoyed working with students who need a little extra help.  English as a Second Language students are incredible...and for the most part, they are very hardworking.  It is amazing to watch English light bulbs go off in Chinese brains!

7.  PJs.  I wear pj pants almost every day.  Add a solid color t-shirt or hoodie and my wardrobe is complete.  I am not a fashionista, so this suits me just fine.

6.  Smiling.  As Buddy the Elf says, "smiling's my favorite".  I do love to smile.  This job has me smiling until my cheeks hurt!

5.  Travel.  My husband and I like to take trips every now and again.  My family goes to the beach a couple of times a year.  Wherever I go, I have the ability to take my job with me.  I can set up in a hotel room or a dining room table and do my thing with a few props and accessories.

4.  Parents.  I have made some wonderful friends with a few parents.  We use WeChat to communicate.  They ask me questions about my life, and I do the same for them.  If I post that I have a sick child, I have love sent from across the globe.  If their baby has a triumph or loss, I get to know.  The connection is so strong!

3.  Home.  I am home every day!  I am able to teach then have the bulk of my day to do whatever my family needs...whether that is braiding my daughter's hair, playing a video game with my son, taking my nephews to the movies, cooking a big dinner, cleaning house, or doing nothing...I have that option every day!

2.  Students.  I could write an entire blog dedicated to my incredible "regular" students.  There are those who melt my heart every time I turn on the camera.  There are those who challenge me to teach beyond the text.  There are those who light up when they see my face on the screen.  These beautiful children have taught me so much about the world and proven to me the basic needs every child has.  These children feed on encouragement.  They want to work hard.  They desire to grow.  They want to make me smile.  They are stars in my life!

1.  Purpose.  I believe each person on this planet was designed with intention and a purpose.  I believe my purpose is to love others.  I believe I was designed to care for people, to nurture, to encourage.  I believe God has placed me in my family to be the mama I am on purpose.  I believe He has allowed me to teach with VIPKID to encourage and love the amazing people of China.  Other than being a wife and mom, this job has given me an overwhelming feeling of fulfillment and purpose!

If you want to learn more about VIPKID, please let me know.  Use my referral link to check out the VIPKID website: AMBER BLACK VIPKID

Stay tuned: in October, I am making a trip to Florida to visit one of my favorite students who is coming to America with his family for fall vacation!!!  I'm going to get to hug one of my Chinese kiddos!!!