Schools...

I love my schools and the students. Although one school is a little frustrating and stressful, thanks to a brilliant and amazing mentor there Catherine who has become a good friend, I have been able to adjust smoothly with the teachers and they know that I will do whatever I can do help the students in whatever they need. The hardest part is trying to communicate and talk about the lessons that are needing planning since not all of my teachers can speak or understand English very well. This sometimes has proven a challenge but as most challenges it has big rewards. The schools here are stunning! They have air conditioners but do not run them while school is in session, not entirely sure of the reasoning behind it but they don`t use it. They use electric fans and open windows. So some days I feel very sticky with sweat. My students too feel the heat. As summer approaches it continues to get hotter and no amount of water I drink keeps the thirst away for long. The grade levels are divided by floors in the building with the older students being at the top. Most schools have 4 floors. Let me tell you I feel like instead of going down to meet Hades I am going up to meet him. Cause as science has told us heat rises and I teach in the upper parts of the schools a lot more then the lower half. Again no air conditioner....

Teaching is a BLAST! The students are what we call energetic, fun, and excited (Most days) to learn English and play games with me. In Japan they refer to it as genky. I love that word Genky. It is just a happy word. But whenever I enter a classroom I am greeted by "HELLO AIMEE SENSEI!!!!" Some students look for my green color on me, others ask for stickers, and all of them quickly sit so we can start. While they do have a higher and deeper respect for the teachers and they do listen and follow instructions without question (As long as they understand). They are still children, and just like all children in school you have good and bad days, when I storm is approaching they are more energetic and talkative so teaching becomes difficult. Some students will fall asleep some play in the desks. The typical things we find in the classrooms back in good ol` USA.
The other part I love about Japanese schools is the faculty room. While teachers have a desk in the classroom the faculty room is set up as we would with students. Each teacher has a desk and all the desks are set up in groups so that the teachers can talk and share with each other. I love this open flow of sharing lessons and even when they have a problem with a student. Many schools in the US are starting this "Open door policy" but to have it so open in the staff room is wonderful.
Eating is done in the classroom with the teacher. There is no school lunch room. The lunch is prepared then put onto rolling carts and set outside the classroom. It is then set up and served by the students. No one starts eating until everyone has food. They also eat everything given to them, no left overs no being picky. You eat what is given and are grateful for it. This is the hardest part for me as I do not like tomatoes, mushrooms and some fish. But I have learned that if I see something right away before I start eating that I do not want I can try to give it to another student. Most of the time the students see this as a reward and are happy to accept it. However, if you leave any food on the plate and do not eat it you are considered rude. I have only done this once. I will not eat mushroom! Well I won`t eat most mushrooms....there is one called enekeida or something like that. It is a long white mushroom that is chopped into small thin slices and placed in soup. That I can handle.

After lunch the students have a period where they clean the school. This includes vacuuming hand and knee scrubbing/ buffing floors, dusting, cleaning windows, watering plants, etc. Amazingly is you see them all smiling and happy to be taking care of their school. It really is very nice and provides teachers time to do some paperwork or meet with each other or the principal (Kocho sensei) Students don`t get out of school until 4. Then they have study clubs, or sports clubs, or other school things to do. At about 6 is when you may finally see them out playing with friends, sometimes earlier but most of the time you see the students heading home from a school activity still in their uniform. When they get home they do more homework and studies and family things whatever that may be. If there is one thing I have learned is that the Japanese people are very hard working and all about community and helping one another. It is refreshing and eye opening.

I usually head home at 4 where I shower, watch shows, eat, and prepare for the next day. I feel lazy compared to my students but then again, I have been lucky in my life and how I was able to play after school, did not have hours of studying, and was not required to be part of a club. If I was part of a club it was a choice. We are a spoiled and lucky bunch living in the US.