The start of a new school year brings with it all sorts of new expectations....starting again in Japan is no different. I want to do better than last year, I want to experience more of Japan, I want the 3rd years to not be a-holes. April 14th brought about the start of school year number 2 for me. I'm still at Futabadai Junior High School, and I've found that the more things 'change' the more they stay the same.
Many of the teachers that I worked beside last year have moved on to other schools or other opportunities. We have a new vice-principal and a new English teacher. Plus, about 4 or 5 other new teachers. And some of my favorites are gone. The 2nd year and 1st year teachers from last year moved up with their kids, and the 3rd years for the most part went to 1st year. Ando-sensei has left. She got married and moved to Tokyo, which makes me happy for her, but sad that she is gone. We really connected teaching and I enjoyed the time I spent with her. With her being my age and having had lived in the states for 3 years- she really understood me and english!! Kato-sensei is still here and thankfully, she is now the head English teacher. I just love teaching with her. We have such a good time. And all my wonderful kids are back!!
Unfortunately, not only is Koala back, but he is (inexplicably) the head 3rd year teacher. Seriously!!!????!!!!! This is the guy they picked to straighten out and lead the 3rd years???? Talk about a HUGE mistake. And he has picked up his crappy attitude towards me from last year. On my first day back, everyone (including the new teachers) at least said Hello or Ohaiyo, but Koala couldn't even be bothered!!
And the newly minted 3rd year students???? Well, let's just say that the time between school years didn't improve them. OH, except that they all have those nifty electronic dictionaries now so their insults of me are much improved!!! The variety and sophistication seems to have been brought up a notch or two! I've only had one day of classes with them and they seem to have been preparing hard for the return to my torture. Maybe their jukus cover this as well as the other subjects??
It was my choice to go back to Futabadai, and I'm happy I did ( ya know for being three days into the school year- it could change!). The new 1st years are just so friggin' adorable. And the new teacher is wonderful too. She's young and really funny and the classes we've had so far have been great. So, I may have to suffer through the crap 3rd yrs. but the rest of the kids more than make up for them.
Anyway- it feels good to get back to teaching. And back in the swing of things. I'm teaching private lessons on Monday nights to adults and so far that has been a challenge, but one I'm sure I'll master. Still taking dance class, although I've missed 3 because of my parents' visit. And I'm hoping to take some language lessons on Thursday nights. I'm going to give it a try this week and see how exhausted I am at weeks' end.
My parents came to visit over spring vacation and we had an AMAZING time!!!! I'll be posting stories and pictures of that very soon.
Oh and I've met the newbie ALTs. They seem fun. Shockingly we all (all of us Mito people except for Paul & Michael) went out on Saturday night!!! Had fun, but it was a little strange for all of us to be out together.
OK- there's the update. Hope everyone got their taxes in on time!!
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