Blessings.
Well I made it to Japan, but it was an eventful journey full of blessings. I think I should start before the trip with getting the job. I have worked in all levels of education from kindergarten to postgraduate classes. I have worked with rich, poor, gifted and disabled and all levels in between. In all of these positions I have become familiar with public, private, religious and other systems of education. So, when I was interviewed it really was an easy assignment to feel qualified for professionally. At other points in my career that would not have been true.
Then there was the question about the job I already had and what career goals I had. I had a good job in Tooele with respectful colleagues and an excellent boss. I was popular with students and I had creative control over my classroom. I was a football coach(a winning one) which I greatly enjoyed. My children were in good schools the community was safe and friends and family were nearby.
So, if there are so many good things then why take the job? Well financially it is a step up, but there were other ways that I could have made financial gains and stay in my previous job. My wife wants to have laser surgery on her eyes one day because she has always had bad eyesight, but that is not the reason either. We made a goal to be debt free when my oldest turned eight and this job allowed that, but that is not the reason either. I love languages and culture so perhaps this is a bucket list check off, actually no it is not. So again, the question is why take the job?
Well, the answer to this is really quite simple: I wanted to. In my career I have heard that teachers don't make money, which is something that I can't accept because I want to teach and be paid as good as I can. But, there is more in this statement that I wanted to. I have dabbled and experimented with teaching in all levels, and compared school structures, curriculum, communities, and outcomes for students. I found that in some ways just sitting in a classroom and teaching was very fulfilling even when it was challenging. I also found however that there are some goals that I have for making stronger schooling systems that I want to be a part of and contribute to.
So to keep it short, I have seen how money can help and distract from successful schools. I have seen how administration can be a blessing and a burden in a system, and I have seen how quality teaching and parental involvement in teaching can move students to successful outcomes or failures.
The area where I specialize is in curriculum, instruction, and language acquisition. I have seen students learning Spanish for example in multiple contexts and scenarios. My favorite program design for language was language immersion. I also have noticed who and where language development has been a priority. My goal is to contribute some of my insights to improve educational programs in general.
So I went to work for the best school system DODEA in my opinion, and I went to work around some of the most respectful and disciplined of students in Japan. And, I went to work with communities that value education with contributions and support and involvement. While here my goal is to gain expertise in curriculum development. I want to influence what is taught and how it is taught with some critical factors that I have observed that are not common knowledge across school districts, states, and systems.
This blog is entitled blessings and every time I underline a statement in this blog it is because I consider it a blessing.
So here are a few blessings from our journey:
- My house sold for thousands in profit and closed the day before our flights.
- I had 8 showings and an offer inside of two weeks because the market was very ready.
- My baby girl was born without complications, and we had the birth certificate and passport in only a few weeks which we needed so that we could get the travel planned.
- My deal provided movers for all of our needed items that needed to be scheduled 3 weeks in advance which also happened the day before the flight.
- My 4 children slept a lot during the 10+ hour flight - and the flight attendant told me that it was rare for there to be so many open available seats in the plane around us which made it easier for us to get around to our children.
- In Tokyo - we got through customs ad immigration without issues, but then there was some problem with the luggage and no interpreters available...after finally struggling through that for an hour, we rushed to barely make the airport bus(one minute - next bus twenty minutes later) and barely make the connecting flight(basically boarding as we got to gate) to final destination.
- Malachi who looked slightly sick before the flight arrived healthy and happy.
- In Iwakuni, we had not heard where to go and we were not sure if any one would be there when we arrived. Sylvia was there with Anita to transport our luggage and us to a base lodging where we had a room already reserved for us.
- and the brand new school is great, so is the nearly tropic environment with jungle like mountains sticking out of the ocean and mist and gently rolling down to towns ad beaches and an awesome experience with free breakfasts.
There are more blessings that I have forgotten to list. This is a great opportunity for me and my family and I am trying to be appreciative and recognize those blessings. I have a father in heaven who is real and watches over me.
