Reflections

Wow...where do I begin. I decided to take about a week off before I wrote any reflections down. I guess I wanted everything to have time to settle into my brain and start to make sense. As we were leaving Japan, there was such a rush of emotions as a result of all the experiences with all of the people I met. It was quite a sad time leaving my new friends knowing that I won't see many of them ever again. Yet, it was exciting to know that I would soon be back home and be able to share everything that has happened with family, friends, and colleagues.

What I hadn't planned for was the culture shock of it all...For three weeks, I've had no responsibilities other than having to wear the appropriate clothing to events and also having to be on time. Everywhere we went we were respected and treated like royalty. While the education system in Japan has its own set of problems, they value education in a much different way than we do in the states. I've only been back to school for three days and it has really hit home. Kids are kids. There is no getting around that. It just seems that the kids here don't seem to have any accountability for their actions. They take things for granted. They expect things to be done for them. Manners and etiquette don't seem to play a role in their daily lives. Respect is something that is not extended freely and almost has to be demanded.

Don't get me wrong...education in Japan is not perfect. Kids there are under a much greater stress level due to their educational system and testing. Teenage suicide is a problem in Japan. Educational opportunities are limited due to the competitive nature of their system. They have their own set of problems. Personally, I believe that their society expects more from their children. From my limited exposure to their children and young adults, I have seen them be quite responsible. After all, they clean their schools, prepare and serve lunches for each other, and recycle cardboard items at the end of lunch. And they do so without complaining...or at least I didn't hear them or understand them saying such...

That's the battle I'm going through right now. I know I have some outstanding students who are just plain awesome. I just can't help but wonder what impact I could have on children in Japan. My style of teaching seems so much different than the majority of what I saw in Japan and it would probably throw them into a frenzy. If I taught in Japan I'd be shipped back to the United States in a heartbeat because I didn't fit into the mold. And, I don't really think that the Japanese educational system can be replicated in the United States because of the difference in the societies. That's where things need to start changing. There has to be some happy medium. I just want to be able to teach kids who desire to learn and not have to deal with the discipline problems. If you know of such a place, let me know...I'll probably teach there for free.

Either way, this experience has been a godsend. It has opened my eyes to a completely different culture. I've learned SO much over those three weeks. Most importantly, it has given me a lot of ideas to reflect upon and that will help me make my instruction and classroom better. I think that's really what this experience has been all about. Just like getting my masters degree...just like getting my National Board Certification...Life is all about continuing to learn new things and trying to make yourself a better person. In the end, isn't that what it is all about?

Hopefully I've been able to share things about the United States with the Japanese people who I have come in contact with. Hopefully, I will be able to keep in touch with all the people who have helped making this trip a positive experience for me. Hopefully, I will be able to share this experience with those in my life and let them experience what I have. Just hopefully...

Whatever the case may be, I hope you have enjoyed reading this entry as well as the entire journal. It's been a blast...

Thanks Buddha...It's been fun hanging out with ya...