“[Kids] don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
– Jim Henson

My first week of work flew by so quickly, but I have to admit that each and every day was a blast! For those of you that are unaware, I teach at four schools in my local area. Two of which are under my primary B.O.E.’s (Board of Education) jurisdiction: Higashi-Yoshino Elementary School and Higashi-Yoshino Middle School; whereas, the other two are under my secondary B.O.E.’s jurisdiction: Kawakami Elementary School and Kawakami Middle School. I also have one special-needs student at both middle schools, so often-times in a separate period and class, I team-teach with my JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) in a one-on-one class with said students. Although our lesson plans aren’t any different from the regular students, we give these students more individualized attention in the event that they require more time to review and/or understand certain concepts and terminology. Aside from these four schools, however, I have also been asked to teach English at a local kindergarten (幼稚園) and nursery school (保育園) once a month, but I have yet to be informed on when I’ll begin doing that.

I truly feel as though I’ve lucked out on my placement, as I’ve not-only been sent to a beautiful part of Japan, but I have also been given two amazing BOEs that do everything in their power to support me in my daily life, as well as some phenomenal teachers to work alongside of. With that being said, my placement definitely comes with some perks that aren’t exactly “standard” amongst most JETs. Some of the perks I’m referring to include:

• A rent-free house
• A (free) company car
• and 60 liters of gas per month

Despite one of my schools being within walking distance from my house, a car is necessary for where I’m placed because my other schools (including my B.O.E.s) range from a 15 to 30 minute commute (by car) from my house.

Mondays: Kawakami Elementary School
Grades: 1st-6th
Primary English teacher with home room teachers present to assist me when needed.
Total number of students at the school: 24

Tuesdays: Higashi-Yoshino Junior High School
Grades: 7th-9th
Team Teaching with JTE
Total number of students at the school: 34

Wednesdays: 1 of 3 schools in the morning and then Higashiyoshino Board of Education in the afternoon
Grades: Range from 1st-9th
Afternoons are spent at my B.O.E. where I use the time to prepare for classes, converse with my BOE coworkers, and/or run time-sensitive errands.

Thursdays: Higashi-Yoshino Elementary School
Grades: 1st-6th
Primary English teacher with home room teachers present to assist me when needed.
Total number of students at the school: 51

Fridays: Kawakami Junior High School
Grades: 7th-9th
Team Teaching with JTE
Total number of students at the school: 15

夏休みの作品

Even though fall term officially started on September 1st, unlike our summer breaks in the United States, students in Japan are given tasks, homework and projects to do over the course of summer break (“natsu yasumi no sakuhin”), and these were some of the results the students brought back to present during the first week of classes.

I say it every time, but I can’t be grateful enough for my decision to come and work here in Japan via the J.E.T. Program. It’s everything I expected it to be and more! Never give up on the things you aspire to do and/or become; regardless of your age or situation. Although “every situation is different,” eventually it’s YOU that decides whether or not you want to make the most out of your given situation. Make it great and make it count.