October 30th was my last day of teaching at elementary schools in Sapporo and let me tell you I have missed it since. Teaching at elementary schools in Japan is not like teaching back home. I taught at 9 schools in the month of October, I am not going to lie some were definitely better than others. Yet, no matter what school I taught at I was always treated like a celebrity. Everyday consisted of me introducing myself to all the 5th and 6th graders of that school and then teaching them a simple lesson.
THE CON:
As I said some schools were better than others. First let's talk about my worst school, as in the way I was treated. Just like in schools back home once you enter a school and meet the students you can somewhat tell where the school ranks in the city. Just like every other school day since I have been in Japan I got ready and set off to school. Since I had never been to this school I was excited and eager to see my new students. Luckily, this school was not too far from my apartment, maybe like 40 minute commute, which is pretty decent. Once I got there, I knew this school was going to be a lot harder than the others. Not one person, not a student or a teacher spoke English. This is actually not that big of a problem, I have gotten used to having no idea of what is really going on since I've moved to Japan. This school was a little more difficult though. Not only did they have no clue what to do with me (even though they had been expecting me for months), they also had nothing (lesson plans, eating situations, etc) prepared and the students didn't speak a word to me . Since they had no idea where to put me they put me in a closet. This closet was on the 3rd floor of their school and it was really cold. October was the beginning of our cold season and being placed in a closet with no heater is actually a pretty sucky thing. The teachers told me that this closet was my waiting area until they needed me for my classes. So I waited, and waited, and waited for three hours in this closet all wrapped up with every piece of clothing I brought. Naturally, I would have done what all the Japanese do when they have one spare moment- nap! But I literally had two boys waiting outside my closet door keeping an eye on me. I felt it was not respectful to be sleeping when I had two pairs of eyes keeping guard of me.
Eventually, it was time for me to teach. My bodyguards, actually more like my jail guards finally let me out. I walked into class and once again the teachers didn't know what to do with me. It was time for me to break out my last minute super teacher powers. I had to create a lesson plan on the fly after my self introduction. Luckily, all went well but the moment I was done I was back to the closet. The benefit of teaching at elementary schools is that usually when you are done with your lessons your school lets you leave because honestly they just want you out of their way. So as my lessons finished and the clock was about to strike 2 I figured I was on my way home. As I was getting mentally prepared for my break out a teacher walked in and managed to tell me I was not allowed to leave until 5. I was frustrated but not able to really communicate to her. I wanted to tell her that the room was freezing, that 5 was later than my contract allows and that really they just sucked for putting me in a closet for days. But I wanted to be a professional, so I sucked it up and stayed until 5. The next day though I wasn't going to take it. Once 3 hit and I was done with my classes I walked up to the teacher (the one I though might understand me) and I handed her my boss's business card. I told her call him because I was going home. Under any other circumstances I wouldn't pull that but as my fingers turned blue I knew this had gone too far. Luckily, my boss agreed with me and allowed me to go home. FREEDOM!!!! Once again, this was my worst experience and it definitely could have been worse but sometimes a girl's got to rant!
