English Teachers @ MindSay 
I was scheduled to teach classes at a school to the west of me called Kosaka today. I have never even seen the school before let alone taught in it. As I stepped into the principal's office to introduce myself, I realized that I haven't taught at any schools other than my usual two grade and one Jr. High.
Kosaka was bright and airy. All the woodwork looked new or at the very least well maintained. The staff was very friendly and spoke at length with me in Japanese about where I am from, my hobbies and family, as well as telling me a lot about themselves.
I was introduced to four teachers who spoke pretty good English... actually, one spoke better than my Jr. High teachers (which, admittedly, isn't that hard). I was offered coffee... HOT coffee, and the day’s lesson plans were laid out before me. I decided to use a combination of my flash cards and the ones they provided me with to make a fun lesson for the day. I also decided on some fun games to play and some follow up phrases and questions. I then readied myself for class, and boy, was I in for a shock.
The classroom, just like the rest of the school, was bright and happy looking. The students were all seated on the floor waiting for me to enter. As I walked in, heads turned toward me and smiles started spreading. Not the vindictive, cruel smiles I'm used to, but happy, friendly smiles. Without provocation I received a loud, but not shouted "Good morning!” to which I responded, "Good morning everyone."
Eyes lit up and happy giggles were murmured all around. I started in on my usual spiel. I said in Japanese "Today I will do my introduction, and afterwards we will have a quiz!" The teacher gently nudged me and asked that I use only English. I shrugged and repeated myself in English, adding "but don't worry too much, the questions will be in Japanese. I want your answers in English tho!"
Children started looking at each other and getting ready. I asked if they understood the last part and one repeated it for me in Japanese. Repeated it correctly. I was floored. These kids actually understood simple English. They understood how to pick out key words. These third and fourth graders were understanding and speaking at a level beyond that of my Jr. High kids.
I went through my introduction, and the kids were at rapt attention. I didn't need to raise my voice even once. I acted silly a few times and the kids laughed. No one mocked my English or occasional Japanese. When I asked questions in English they answered quickly. When they asked me questions in Japanese they would speak very clearly so I could actually hear them, and they would repeat if I asked them to.
The biggest shock came when we played the game of the day... Fruit Basket. Usually I have to shout at the top of my lungs just to be heard during a game of Fruit Basket, but today the kids were quiet. They were running around and having fun, but no one was screaming. The boys didn't collide in the center of the circle and wrestle each other to the ground. The girls didn't just slide one seat over at a time so they could stay near their friends and talk. The game played out like a real game... and it was beautiful.
At the end of the day I got to attend the school's English club. It consisted of kids from third to sixth grade who were all regular practitioners of the language. Many could even produce the "th" sound correctly. We did vehicles today and introduced about sixteen types. The kids only had trouble remembering two. It was truly amazing.
After club I had about one hour before it was time to go home. I ended up talking with one of the third grade teachers from my day and he asked me about my regular schools.
"I don't know why" I said, "but this school is so much better than my usual ones. The kids are so well behaved and studious."
"Really?" he asked, "I thought the kids were a little over-excited today. I was going to apologize!"
"How can you say that? They were wonderful! Some of the best I've ever had" I told him.
He then asked me what school I usually teach at, so I answered truthfully:
"K."
There was a moment of silence before he asked "K elementary and Jr. High?"
"Yes... why?"
It turns out that my schools have a reputation. A very bad reputation. K JHS produces the fewest high school students in all of my region. K elementary is know for severe behavioral problems and troubled kids. Both are notorious for poor environment and dilapidated classrooms (which I knew already). The worst bit of news, however, was that K is considered the proving ground school out here. First time teachers are sent here to learn the ropes in the worst possible environment before trading up to bigger and better things. All the problems I have been privy to, all the bad kids running around screaming and hitting me... these problems are mine almost exclusively.
No one actually expects K kids to achieve anything. This is why we have no English club or international room. It's also why I never get to see my kids outside of class for tutoring and why I never get to help with things like festivals. After hearing this from several teachers, I now realize why I have been so miserable. It's not Japan or the weather or even my job in general. Unfortunately, it's my kids.
I liked almost every single kid I came into contact with today. They were all fun and cheery. At my normal schools I actually have spite, real spite for most of the kids I see. I am going to request a school change for the next semester. Maybe I can get into Kosaka as it's not that far from me and I really like it now. In order to make my current situation more pleasant I will start treating my regular schools like everyone else does and stop caring. I have a little under three weeks until summer vacation, and in that time I plan on working as little as possible.
Despite this, I feel good. Very good in fact. It's like having a severe pain in your neck and then one day finally finding out it's because of your pillow. I know the source of my unhappiness now and I can take steps to rectify it. With some luck I will have a very pleasant and rewarding final six months in Japan. Hell, maybe I'll have something more to write about and update more than once a month too!
-Maru!
