Staying Busy

I suddenly realized the last time I posted was after my Seoul trip! That is way too long. I suppose I'm busy--not busy in the sense that every day is insane. Rather the busyness is spread out in wave-like intervals: just like the ocean, new activities, obligations, and STUFF crash into me periodically like Goto's oceanic tides.

The biggest wave by far was my first kenkyuu jugyoo happiokai at Midori Elementary School, which translates roughly as research class presentation. What I learned recently was that all my schools, which I inherited from my mentor Dan, are research schools on Goto. I also learned that I inherited Dan's schools because I replied to his emails faster than my contemporary before arriving in Goto. These schools re-designed their curriculum to improve their students' English performance. Midori implemented their program two years and Tuesday was the appointed day to measure the students' and teachers' progress.

Teachers, principals, and administrators from the Board of Education came to my school to watch some of the teachers teach including one of my first grade classes. I am of course the new guy on the street having only been teaching at Midori for about two months. Yet Maegashira Sensei and I practiced this lesson several times before so when the day came, we were ready.

I was admittedly intimidated. In a room that normally hosts two teachers and perhaps twenty first graders, another twenty or so teachers stood in the back of the class observing and taking notes (some more teachers spilled into the hallway). I was dressed up in a suit and tie, which was burdensome in a room without A/C. I "zoned in" focusing my attention on the students and Maegashira's cues and instructions. Overall the class went really smoothly and the students were very responsive; they seemed less intimidated than I by the presence of so many adults!

It's common at my schools for a "Looking Back" session to follow the class. It lasts about two-three minutes and is a quick reflection for the students: what they learned, what they did well, etc. Students will say things like, "Because I learned the right pronunciation for fruits, today was good" or "I'm happy that I had English class today." I think "Looking Back" is a good idea as it encourages students to be active participants in class. Towards the end of class one of the students surprised me with a compliment: "Mr. Will's pronunciation [of English] is very good!"

Thank you, I try to practice every day! Haha. The day ended with an enkai or work party, which was really fun. It was my first time socializing with my Midori teachers. I enjoyed the opportunity of conversing with them without the pressures of work. I had such a good time with several of the teachers that we agreed to meet up for dinner tomorrow evening!

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Coming up November 15th is my kenkyuu jugyoo happiokai at Sakiyama Elementary School. That will be brutal. Instead of just one class I will be on the spot for three classes plus a fifteen minute rapid English practice session. I was tired after Midori's class and the several meetings that followed it; Sakiyama will require all my strength--and reserves.

One thing that was neat to observe: Midori's principal has worked here for about six months! I knew he was new to the scene but didn't realize he was that new. At times he seems reserved--polite but reserved as if he is still gauging the environment and people around him. While it may be presumptuous, I cannot help but feel a certain camaraderie with him as I am new too. He impressed me on several occasions: more than once I see him tending to the school's grounds such as watering the plants, raking, etc. Last Tuesday after the meetings ended he gave a concluding speech in English, which was honestly the most English I heard in a day that is supposed to demonstrate the school's progressing mastery of the language. I couldn't help but smiled and later congratulated him at the enkai. While very quiet, he is nevertheless the most active principal I have met!

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What else? In non-school news I recently jogged to the nearby town of Sakiyama. Round-trip took about ten miles. WOW! It was the most mileage I jogged in one day since the Spartan Race back in April. I was sore the next day but not as sore as I expected. I just need to add three more miles between now and February for the half-marathon!

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宇入

This is pronounced "Wiru" (Will) and is one of many ways of writing my name. One of my teachers was kind enough to write it for me. It literally means "in space", which I think aptly describes my personality, dreams for the future, and love for the cosmos. If you add the rest of my name it means "sewing in space" and that was simply too ridiculous for me.

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Up next: Shikoku! I will be visiting some friends next Thursday-Sunday! I am really enjoying school but I am looking forward to traveling again! By going to Shikoku I will have seen three of the four major islands here!