Today was the 47th annual celebration of Teachers Day in Mongolia. Being a teacher in Mongolia is a highly respected occupation (as it should be everywhere) and students, parents, and the education system are good at honoring teachers for their work. While the holiday is officially the first Sunday in February (today) our school celebrated on Friday.

In the afternoon we had an awards ceremony at the culture center. While we waited almost an hour for the governor to show up we were treated to a slide show and made-for-television show about my school. They were both really well done and I will try to get a copy of the video to post here.

At last the program began and Bold, the school director, and Baigal, the kindergarten director, spoke a few words of welcome. They are pictured here with Darkhuu (in purple) and Battsetseg the school manager (in white).

Several teachers and school workers received medals and plaques for their work and achievements, and I was very honored to receive the “Creative Teacher” award from my coworkers. Here I am excitedly receiving my award.

The biggest surprise though was when Brian and I were presented with a very lovely painting by the culture center staff. It was done by a former art teacher from my school, and it is not only very well done but appropriately enough features, in addition to traditional gers and animals, several coal trucks driving across the desert in the background. I can’t wait until we have a flat wall to hang it on.

That evening we gathered at the community center again for a light meal and karaoke.  Non-slobs like myself dressed up for the occasion with my friend Enkhtsetseg looking especially lovely.

We were divided up into teams for the competition-pictured below is my hardcore team, us making a toast with milk (watch out competition-we mean business), and one of the other teams (obviously filled with our singing enemies).

The competition was fierce but fun, and between each round there was some dancing. I don’t know who won because Darkhuu and I are wimps and went home early, but it was a lovely day of feeling special with my wonderful coworkers.