My first day of school was finally here! I went to Futajima to start and next week I'm off to Shinozaki. Futajima is pretty far away and takes me close to an hour and a half to get to. Thankfully I went there twice before today. The first time I had work in the morning, but no school to go to. So I tagged along with Vixay since he was going to Futajima. Then last Friday I went with Tsuruta, my supervisor, because she wanted to meet the principle, vice principle, and teachers. So despite the long commute I had no trouble getting to school.
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I had a nice welcome message on my shoe locker when I came in and everyone I had met previously was very nice. My desk is with the first year teachers next to Sugiyama, another English teacher. I did a quick introduction in Japanese for the teachers and then it was time for opening ceremonies. All the students and teachers gathered in the auditorium where awards were given out, the principle spoke, and the school song was sung among other things. I had to go up on stage and give a short introduction, thankfully in English. As we were leaving the ceremonies, many students came up to me to say hello.
Unfortunately the students were busy with more ceremonies the rest of the day and tomorrow they will be in exams, so I will not meet them until Wednesday. Despite just hanging out in the teachers' room all day, I was incredibly productive. I met a lot of the other teachers, including a very nice math teacher who asked me to come to one of her lessons some day. I learned how to use the school computers, printers, copiers, and laminators. I printed out a few worksheets for my first few days, made PowerPoint presentations, and printed and laminated big pictures for the classes that won't have projectors. I also helped some of the other English teachers make other worksheets.
Sugiyama and I get along really well and she's been incredibly helpful! She was happy to show me everything and how to use it and she says she is excited to start teaching with me. All in all I had a great time at school and cannot wait to go back tomorrow!
Caro,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see you so excited about: (a) your job, and (b) going to school - two things so many people don't exactly look forward to. Reading your entry today it was hard to remember that this is your job; it sounds so much more like an adventure. We are really happy that you found this opportunity! Oh yeah, your students are very lucky to get you, too. Win - win.