JET Programme Interview Advice
January 10, 2022
Thinking about the #JETProgramme? Got an upcoming interview and want some insight into what to expect? Read on! … More JET Programme Interview Advice
Tag: Teaching in Japan
Little Lunches
January 17, 2020
The elementary school I work at here in Tokyo has a cafeteria. That’s a bit of a rarity as many schools just have their lunches in the classroom. Sometimes I bring my own lunch and eat in the staff room, but most days I opt for the school lunch. I’m not a fan of all … More Little Lunches
A Downside of Teaching
January 16, 2020
When I was growing up one of the last things I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a teacher. It both was and wasn’t surprising. After all, not only is my mom a teacher, and a wonderful one at that, but a majority of my extended family either are currently teachers, involved … More A Downside of Teaching
Graduation Day
March 21, 2019
They dress in red robes and sing to say goodbye. Parents and teachers watch, clap and cry. Diplomas are passed out. Speeches are given. Pictures are taken. Then comes the lunch. Awkward conversation. More speeches. Skits. Speeches. Tears. Sobbing tears of farewell. One last song together. Goodbye teachers. Retire to the classroom. One last look. … More Graduation Day
Drinking after Work
March 1, 2019
Okay, confession time: I really like my main job. I kind of fell into teaching. I come from a family of teachers and sometimes it seems like a majority of the extended family, on both sides, either are teachers or have taught. I think that outside of my dad and brother, almost everyone else has … More Drinking after Work
Another ‘Good Workplace’ Moment
January 25, 2019
My first series of jobs after college was in education here in Japan. I worked mainly in junior high school for the first four, and then for the prefectural board of education mostly assisting foreignEnglish teachers for the next four. In those eight years I had some amazing moments and met many truly special people. … More Another ‘Good Workplace’ Moment
Living Japan Episode 68
April 16, 2017
Oh, man. I love it when we record a show and things just click. I know that the three of us on the Living Japan Crew had a great time recording this, so i hope that translates into a great time listening to it. We talked a little about the trending hashtag of foreign confessions … More Living Japan Episode 68
A Reason to Teach
April 14, 2017
After writing about aspects of the Japanese school system for the past two days, I really wasn’t planning on going on about schools today. After all, I need to talk about comic books and movies. Maybe plug some of my other projects, such as a novel and assorted podcasts. But, this week was the first … More A Reason to Teach
Responding to 8 School Rules in Japan (part 2)
April 13, 2017
Part 2 of a 2 part series. The first can be read here. 5) School Uniforms Yep, school uniforms are a part of daily life here in Japan. It seems a lot of public Elementary schools (ES) don’t have uniforms and many private ones do. Of course, there are exceptions on either side. For Junior … More Responding to 8 School Rules in Japan (part 2)
Responding to 8 School Rules in Japan
April 11, 2017
Every few weeks a list about Japan, like this one, starts making its way around social media. Generally speaking these lists are full of half-truths. While a few of the points are spot on, most of the items feel less than accurate. Even the items that are accurate are written in such a way as to avoid … More Responding to 8 School Rules in Japan
Deadly Troubadour 