Rise and shine. We ate breakfast at the ryokan and then headed to the airport for our trip back to Tokyo. I think all 20 Americans quickly fell asleep on the airplane. It was time to rest before we arrived back in Tokyo for our last two days of this magnificent experience.
The final two days consisted of a special seminar and a day of host city presentations. I signed up to attend a special visit to Sakuradai Kindergarten in Tokyo. In Japan, Kindergarten is generally referred to as a private preschool for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Formal education begins with first grade in public elementary schools. I was eager to visit the five-year old classroom since this is my first year teaching kindergarten.
We began our tour with a brief meeting and orientation at the chapel of the school. It was a delight to meet Dr. Etsuko Kobayashi, the eighty-year co-founder and vice-principal of the preschool. Kobayashi learned to speak English when she studied on a fellowship in America back in 1950 and 1951 under the United States Government Aid and relief in Occupied Area Program. She married a local Japanese minister and started the church and kindergarten. The church is now affiliated with the Methodist faith.
Her husband Tetsuo Kobayashi served as principal until his death in 2004. Now, their daughter Yurimi will carry on the tradition as educational leader of the school. They are proud of their work over the past 50 years. It was the family calling to work hard to buy the land for the school and chapel, evangelize and educate. At a PTA meeting once a month, the parents participate in a worship service, Bible message, sing hymns and have prayer before the business meeting and school reports.
Following the orientation we visited the students who were performing songs and rhymes in the morning assembly in the grand hall. Again, even at an early age the students were very attentive and well mannered. It was very enjoyable and the students’ eagerness reminded me of our preschoolers. Later, we witnessed the youngest class participate in physical fitness on the playground with the P.E. teacher and his assistant. The middle class was working on arts and crafts project relating to their book, The Big Turnip. It was a treat to visit the oldest classroom, where the five year olds were participating in music. The teacher would play a Christmas song on the piano and the students would play the same tune on the harmonica. As I walked around the preschool, I was amazed at the detailed artwork of these youngsters and especially their origami skills.
After lunch, we returned to the chapel for questions and answers. The students had made us small gifts and were thrilled to present them to us. We all received a child-made necklace, chopsticks wrapped in decorative coverings and two Japanese child’s books. Sakuradai Kindergarten was a special place filled with love and kindness. It was child-centered and made me nostalgic for Peterson Elementary School.
As I prepared for my return to the United States, I realized how many vivid memories, pictures and stories I had to share back in America. I am thankful and blessed to have been selected by the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund program for this life-changing experience and to have made friends with so many talented educators. I appreciate the financial support of the Japanese Government for funding this trip. I am especially appreciative to Mark Moses and The Red Springs Citizen for allowing me the opportunity to bring Japan to my hometown of Red Springs.
The final two days consisted of a special seminar and a day of host city presentations. I signed up to attend a special visit to Sakuradai Kindergarten in Tokyo. In Japan, Kindergarten is generally referred to as a private preschool for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Formal education begins with first grade in public elementary schools. I was eager to visit the five-year old classroom since this is my first year teaching kindergarten.
We began our tour with a brief meeting and orientation at the chapel of the school. It was a delight to meet Dr. Etsuko Kobayashi, the eighty-year co-founder and vice-principal of the preschool. Kobayashi learned to speak English when she studied on a fellowship in America back in 1950 and 1951 under the United States Government Aid and relief in Occupied Area Program. She married a local Japanese minister and started the church and kindergarten. The church is now affiliated with the Methodist faith.
Her husband Tetsuo Kobayashi served as principal until his death in 2004. Now, their daughter Yurimi will carry on the tradition as educational leader of the school. They are proud of their work over the past 50 years. It was the family calling to work hard to buy the land for the school and chapel, evangelize and educate. At a PTA meeting once a month, the parents participate in a worship service, Bible message, sing hymns and have prayer before the business meeting and school reports.
Following the orientation we visited the students who were performing songs and rhymes in the morning assembly in the grand hall. Again, even at an early age the students were very attentive and well mannered. It was very enjoyable and the students’ eagerness reminded me of our preschoolers. Later, we witnessed the youngest class participate in physical fitness on the playground with the P.E. teacher and his assistant. The middle class was working on arts and crafts project relating to their book, The Big Turnip. It was a treat to visit the oldest classroom, where the five year olds were participating in music. The teacher would play a Christmas song on the piano and the students would play the same tune on the harmonica. As I walked around the preschool, I was amazed at the detailed artwork of these youngsters and especially their origami skills.
After lunch, we returned to the chapel for questions and answers. The students had made us small gifts and were thrilled to present them to us. We all received a child-made necklace, chopsticks wrapped in decorative coverings and two Japanese child’s books. Sakuradai Kindergarten was a special place filled with love and kindness. It was child-centered and made me nostalgic for Peterson Elementary School.
As I prepared for my return to the United States, I realized how many vivid memories, pictures and stories I had to share back in America. I am thankful and blessed to have been selected by the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund program for this life-changing experience and to have made friends with so many talented educators. I appreciate the financial support of the Japanese Government for funding this trip. I am especially appreciative to Mark Moses and The Red Springs Citizen for allowing me the opportunity to bring Japan to my hometown of Red Springs.
Sayoranora~Brian Freeman-Sensei
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