ESID.... What is/was YOUR situation?

[Patryn]

This thread was apparently started in 2010. So just an earlier post.
I'm actually quite surprised by that (I thought it was started recently), but yeah... The more you know...

[KIKKI.K]

wow..... i just went back to the first page 0.o .... suddenly i feel old..... :p

[AVN]

wow..... i just went back to the first page 0.o .... suddenly i feel old..... :p

Haha! Me too!
It's also interesting going back and reading initial impressions years later.

[HeliumBlue]

Some of these posts kind of scare me, but im going to continue to stay positive!

[AVN]

Some of these posts kind of scare me, but im going to continue to stay positive!

What about them scares you?

[HerrKaiser]

No need to be scared. There is always something amazing to be discovered in both the good and the bad. I mean, there was the one post about the base school and teacher who just hated the JET program on principle and the guy wanted to leave. But he mentioned a lot more things that were good. And you learn about yourself and what you are capable of by dealing with challenges like that.

Even if you don't get your ideal placement, you may find that you are happier with where you are going in the end. I can attest to that. When I initially saw my placement, I felt like I had just hit a wall. I really wanted to be placed on Honshu because there is so much history which I have studied that I am dying to finally explore and visit. However, after investigating into my placement I ma growing more and more happy with what I learn about it because it is presenting me with so many opportunities that I didn't even consider. I don't think that you should be scared about anything. nervous apprehension is ok, just remember how amazing the opportunity you are being presented with is. Regardless of where you are you are pretty much guaranteed to experience a boat-load of new things and learn more about yourself and others. I mean... if you are placed on the coast and are terrified of water... well then you have concern to be scared I guess... but then... why did you choose to work in a country that is a small island? anyways, hope something in there helped a bit. When I actually get to my placement I will throw in a full ESID write-up. but from what I have heard from my predecessor and on the forums and from other current JETs I think I am really lucky, even if it isn't Honshu. I think that where I am headed is going to blow my mind and is totally awesome!

[horgh]

This will be my third post regarding my situation, just in time for my 3rd year on JET.

I was forced to change schools as per the BOE rule of 2 times per school max (I'm a JHS ALT for those wondering). I cried. I'm quite serious here. I couldn't believe that I would have to miss the graduation ceremony for my first Japanese students (1nensei in 2010, now 3nensei). They couldn't either.

I also miss my rural school and its own cast of zany students.

My new school is a tough inner city establishment. Kids are wild and there are tons of wannabe delinquents (along with real ones whom we never see). Parents run the gamut of what the Japanese government fears most: foreigners (mostly Vietnamese), poor, single parent households, raised by grandparents/relatives, and absent/irresponsible/grown up delinquent parents (yankii and other such riff raff). Sure, some come from "good old fashioned" homes, but a number are part of those demographics that the State would rather sweep under a carpet.

Screaming, yelling, fighting...

Every day brings a new sort of madness. Oh and they brought the police to deal with a turbulent 12 year old special ed student.

Yes, cops for a 12 year old. Mostly they gave him a stern talking to, but they were pretty much as helpless as the teachers, because, well, it's a 12 year old boy. He "can't communicate without violence"explained a teacher. In other words he enjoys kicking and punching people, makes him feel like a big man. Given that no one can retaliate (he is isolated from other kids who might kick his butt and teachers can't lay a finger on him), he finds himself in a position to be a major pain. He started punching me and I was told in a lengthy meeting with the staff that in such occurrences I am to run and hide.

He's picked up on it and started taunting me when teachers aren't there.

Geez...

One 3nensei bad boy started yelling "shine!" (die!) at me the moment he first saw me. Since then he's grown on me as I've turned the tables yelling shine at him when his back is turned. I also did it while he was peeing. I believe, judging by his frustrated bad boy verbiage and rolling of r's, that he may have soiled himself. Reverse bullying? Believe it or not, it helped solidify a semblance of good relationship between us - one punctuated by the occasional arm lock or full nelson.

A couple of bad boys smoke and drink. Teachers are sometimes asked to intervene as they will go smoke near the train station.

My 1nensei will basically never "make the bell", with stragglers coming late to class by upwards of 5 to 10 minutes. Many laugh at my "morbidly obese" body (I'm chubby by North American standards and one hamburger away from a fatal heart attack by theirs - but ebi fry is not fast food) and will spend considerable time reminding me of it in class. Girls pass notes like there's no tomorrow and some pass their file holders, throwing them in the air over the heads of their peers. One boy threatened to throw his desk out the window while another enjoys hitting others when he's bored. Their occasional cruelty can be quite upsetting (one girl was heard sneering "She's gonna die, ha ha!" when a classmate fainted due to a respiratory disease). The teacher is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I've seen upwards of three teachers being called upon to control the class.

During Sports Day some parents got into a fight and some young yankii dad was seen chatting with older boys to the dismay of teachers (one told me he was notorious for sneaking smokes to his sons' friends).

Still, I work diligently at building a semblance of a good relationship with these kids even though I'll be switching again in January. This system sucks and upsets me a great deal. I end up caring about my students and then I'm cruelly taken away from them just as we start having fun.

[KIKKI.K]

My sympathies for your situation, it is tough to be taken away from schools that you love (I had two that changed this year), and it sounds like your new school leaves you with your work cut out with the students. Although, it sounds like you're slowly bringing them round^^.
The Japanese system of changing teachers, especially without telling the students, really annoys me too. It feels like there's no continuity in each school, and it doesn't help the 'bad' schools when teachers know they'll be transferred in a couple of years anyway, so even if they wanted to really help improve thing, they know they'll never have any lasting effect.

[AVN]

The Japanese system of changing teachers, especially without telling the students, really annoys me too. It feels like there's no continuity in each school, and it doesn't help the 'bad' schools when teachers know they'll be transferred in a couple of years anyway, so even if they wanted to really help improve thing, they know they'll never have any lasting effect.

I feel this way even for not so 'bad schools'... I am trying to make a change here, implement a curriculum and I am so sad and worried that my successor will be like, ES curriculum?? Screw that let's run around!!

My BOE limits ALTs to 3 years max even though everyone in my town wants me to stay...

Also Horgh that sounds terrible, glad you're making headway just be careful with the full nelsons and such...
Also is the name of the school Shirokin, Kurogin or Akadou? (sorry not trying to make light of your situation but I couldn't resist.)

[KIKKI.K]

The Japanese system of changing teachers, especially without telling the students, really annoys me too. It feels like there's no continuity in each school, and it doesn't help the 'bad' schools when teachers know they'll be transferred in a couple of years anyway, so even if they wanted to really help improve thing, they know they'll never have any lasting effect.

I feel this way even for not so 'bad schools'... I am trying to make a change here, implement a curriculum and I am so sad and worried that my successor will be like, ES curriculum?? Screw that let's run around!!

My BOE limits ALTs to 3 years max even though everyone in my town wants me to stay...

That really sucks they limit you to 3 years... Are you staying on JET and getting moved somewhere else, or going home? (or staying in Japan doing something else?)

I'm glad mine lets us stay for 5 years, but I think my fourth will be my last. And I'll be really, really disappointed if my successor at one of my school doesn't continue with the phonics programme I've implemented. It's really helped the kids, and they love it, but if you don't have a background in, or a passion for this kind of thing, I feel like they'll take one look at it, and throw it out the window...

Whenever I mention that the Vice-principal at my primary school was at the school for 20 years, everyone's always amazed. But the fact that hardly any of the staff changed there, meant we all had a really great relationship with most of the teachers.

[AVN]

The Japanese system of changing teachers, especially without telling the students, really annoys me too. It feels like there's no continuity in each school, and it doesn't help the 'bad' schools when teachers know they'll be transferred in a couple of years anyway, so even if they wanted to really help improve thing, they know they'll never have any lasting effect.

I feel this way even for not so 'bad schools'... I am trying to make a change here, implement a curriculum and I am so sad and worried that my successor will be like, ES curriculum?? Screw that let's run around!!

My BOE limits ALTs to 3 years max even though everyone in my town wants me to stay...

That really sucks they limit you to 3 years... Are you staying on JET and getting moved somewhere else, or going home? (or staying in Japan doing something else?)

I'm glad mine lets us stay for 5 years, but I think my fourth will be my last. And I'll be really, really disappointed if my successor at one of my school doesn't continue with the phonics programme I've implemented. It's really helped the kids, and they love it, but if you don't have a background in, or a passion for this kind of thing, I feel like they'll take one look at it, and throw it out the window...

Whenever I mention that the Vice-principal at my primary school was at the school for 20 years, everyone's always amazed. But the fact that hardly any of the staff changed there, meant we all had a really great relationship with most of the teachers.

Yeah I'm going to search out a more permanent teaching position within Japan. I'm finishing up my CERTESL to make myself more marketable.

I am in exactly the same boat, I have a phonics program and a curriculum from NS - Grade 4 ES. Everyone loves it but it takes a bit of initiative. I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for my successor so they have no excuse heh.

[KIKKI.K]

Good luck with finding something!^^
Try universities, maybe? Or hopefully someone knows of a direct hire position available....

[scarreddragon]

Conversely to the last few posts, in my city, all ALTs switch to a new school every August, and I really really like that. Although sometimes I do miss certain students and teachers, and sometimes wonder what it would be like to stay at a school more than one year, I think I would get bored and leave much quicker if I were stuck at one school. I'm a 5th year jet, and I think that is why I've stayed so long... and my BOE is looking into a direct contract option for me for next year!

Going to a new school every year is a fun challege I look forward to. If I have any problem classes, students, teachers etc, I can leave that and start anew. I also get a lot of experience with all different sizes and types of classes, schools, teaching styles, etc. etc. And every school I've been to have good and bad things about them, so while I'm always a little sad to leave, I'm also a little happy too. All in all, it can definitely be a blessing!

Also, for many teachers, younger ones especially, there is a lot of pressure and even sometimes a bit of bullying from older teachers. Also, because there are many people, it is hard to get a good balance and relationship with everyone. So I think they move teachers around to not only mix things up so bad relationships/situations don't go on indefinitely and cause teachers to quit, but also to give teachers a lot of experience in different classrooms and schools, which is really good. So while a lot of teachers don't always like to move, some really do, and there are situations where it is a good thing a teacher or teachers moved, since it can improve the atmosphere in the school.

[KIKKI.K]

Also, for many teachers, younger ones especially, there is a lot of pressure and even sometimes a bit of bullying from older teachers. Also, because there are many people, it is hard to get a good balance and relationship with everyone. So I think they move teachers around to not only mix things up so bad relationships/situations don't go on indefinitely and cause teachers to quit, but also to give teachers a lot of experience in different classrooms and schools, which is really good. So while a lot of teachers don't always like to move, some really do, and there are situations where it is a good thing a teacher or teachers moved, since it can improve the atmosphere in the school.

Where I'm from, teachers are free to move schools if they can find one with an open position, there's nothing to keep them tied to their school for 20 years.
I guess I've worked with one teacher who I know is a bully, but most teachers in my area seem nice human beings.
It's true moving them around gives them a lot of different experience, but staying in the same school for more than just a couple of years is good for the students too, I think.

[Jax]

Conversely to the last few posts, in my city, all ALTs switch to a new school every August, and I really really like that. Although sometimes I do miss certain students and teachers, and sometimes wonder what it would be like to stay at a school more than one year, I think I would get bored and leave much quicker if I were stuck at one school. I'm a 5th year jet, and I think that is why I've stayed so long... and my BOE is looking into a direct contract option for me for next year!

I'm the opposite. I'm also a 5th year and have had one SHS the entire time and aside from some minor class schedule issues, I love it. I get to see the students come in as first years and watch them grow and graduate. I'm still in contact with some who have graduated as well... one is at a university in Michigan now!! So proud. *tears* I'm the one jumping and cheering like a crazy person on graduation day because it's like my babies have all grown up.

Some of my co-workers have rotated a lot. They usually only stay put for about 5 years? My school is on its second VP and 3rd principal. XD Weird that I've been here longer. I've only had two of the same JTEs the entire time. Staying in one place, I'm able to find my groove with some things. I feel like I can better make my lessons and help the students when I know them better and for me, I get that through time and experience. I don't know what I'd do if I had to switch around every year.

From what I've observed, none of the younger teachers have been bullied. It's almost like they're the babies of the staffroom. I think the older teachers help them out and try to guide them.