Day One

I showed up early, of course. That is the way I address my anxieties. Our staff meeting began promptly at 8:20. The bell rang, our principal walked in from his office, all of the teachers stood and bowed deeply. He gave a few short words and I once again was in front of the staff giving my introduction, the one I wrote for the students. Chinami interpreted. Two grad students also stood in front with me and introduced themselves. They wore fine dark suits with their hair nicely coifed and full of gel. I don’t know how Japanese men can afford their hair.

Our meeting lasted only minutes, and then we were off to the Gym for the full school assembly, Opening Ceremony. The Gym is the one location of the school where you must wear shoes that have never been worn outside. My shoes are a brand new pair of black Converse Chuck Taylor high top tennis shoes.

The students, 700 of them sat in vertical rows of boys and girls. One of the gym teachers called the assembly to order. The students stood at attention, then at ease. He did this routine several times before he told them to sit once again. The principal spoke to an absolutely attentive crowd of students. All sat on the floor. All were focused on his speech. Once he vacated the stage, they instructed me to the podium for my introduction once again. At the end of my speech a student came up and told me about his excitement with speaking English and he invited me to work with all of the students.

The meeting continued with awards given out to the girl’s basketball team, the band and some other individual awards.

At 9:30, students were in their homeroom. In Japan, students stay in one room for the day and teachers move. I went to Chinami’s homeroom and spoke with several students while I waited. Their English is limited, but I found one girl who was brave enough to communicate.

When Chinami came in the students sat in their desks, but they were not as quiet as I would have expected. One boy talked continuously to another non-stop. Throughout most of her lecture, all of the students spoke to each other. It didn’t appear as though any student paid her any attention, but they did turn things into her when she asked. It will take some getting used to. This is not an American school.

By 10:30, I was at my desk in the teacher’s room. The students had a half-day. A few students stayed on campus for activities, clubs and sports. Right before lunch I toured the school. I was impressed with the Kendo club, Japanese fencing. The students in Kendo had face cages, helmets, samurai styled shoulder pads and body armor. The club’s advisor is one of the English teachers. It is a club I will visit often.

The teachers gave me a schedule for the next two weeks. Most classes meet three times a week. Band, art, and technology classes meet once a week. I will float among 7th, 8th and 9th grade classes. Tomorrow I will begin introducing myself to individual classes. I have thirty minutes. It may not be enough time. Back in the states, my introduction can last as long as three days, and they speak English well.