Sharing Connections

          During this week I was able to talk to my international connection that was once in Japan. While he was over there he shared with me that he was over the physical education class grades Pre-k and Kindergarten as well as teaching english.. As we were talking about his students I asked him to enlighten me on the on the issues of equity and excellence.
      
                      Some of the issues he talked about was the equity and excellence that is in the program and how the district stands behind their standards and education especially early childhood. They have a strong belief of academics and attempting to close acheivement gaps.  He stated that the Japanese school district works hard to get their students academically ready and they believe more into hands on education rather than drilling the students. The is no big issue with educational values in the system ( well he hasn't experience any yet).  He began to tell me how well structure the districts are and how they have a strict curriculm ( compared to the U.S.) to excell with excellence. There schools make sure that the educator has all they need to ensure this ecxellence with the students. The parents are very active in their children education as well as active with the school especially when it comes to volunterring. 
     

              Ryan stated that he hasn't experience any money issues in the school districts and education is one of their top priorties. He also showed interest on how the students are very attentive even though he has a physical education class  and english the students were very intriged with american sports and the simple rules to the games. He shared how he realize that each moment is a teaching moment it how he gets full of joy when he here his students attempt to explain the game of kickball or t-ball which is one of their favorite games in english. He feels that the determination that the kids has when it comes to kickball they are developing good biosocial, pychosocial, and cognitive skills.


       Talking to him really made me want to inquire about teaching english over there because how he described how the teachers are valued over there and how supportive the staff and parents are. It also let me know that your are appreciated for your hard work. Now why isn't our school systems like that????