Kindergarten Story Ⅱ

This is my first year at Seijo Kindergarten. Actually, It is my first year at a Kindergarten. While I had been a Conversational English teacher for 11 years in Japan and managing teachers at local kindergartens and nursery school, I couldn’t imagine what was really waiting for me. I thought it couldn’t be different from what I knew before. But it was wonderfully different. From the first day, I was treated so kindly by all the staff, teachers, and students at Seijo.

My favorite part with the students is our morning English time. They always seem so excited to learn and show me what they have remember. It makes me laugh when they remember the lesson but also remember natural, casual behaviors they pick up from interaction with me every day.

One of my favorite stories was when the firefighters came to visit Seijo Kindergarten and teach us about the gear, the truck, and the tools they used to help in fighting fires. I was with the 3rd grade class and each of the teachers were trying out the fire extinguisher. The kids cheered for their class room teachers. When it was my turn, I heard. “Go Jamie sensei go!” “Fight! You can!” “Let’s go!” “Do your best!” Every student switched to English to cheer me on. There was no hesitation, no Japanese, and no jokes. And in that moment I was so proud of them. I think even the firefighter was impressed. They had taken in this extremely valuable lesson that I didn’t even realize we had learned. They had learned to encourage others so honestly from their heart, that it was important enough to use my language and my culture so they would know that I understood them. I will always cherish that moment.

I’m naturally a shy person. But I learned that the best thing you can do in this life is show your best self and show kindness towards others. I learned this as a young adult.
But the kids at Seijo Kindergarten are learning this lesson right now. They aren’t only studying books and numbers. They are also studying to be good humans in this world. They are capable at 3,4,5,and 6 years old of showing compassions, excitement, artistic expression, sense of self, and above all, kindness. I am proud to be here. I’m honored for this opportunity to teach and be part of these little people who could one day change the world.

今年も「たいこばしくん通信」をご愛読いただきありがとうございました。今学期後半は特別編が続きましたが、成城幼稚園の子どもたちの様子を、いつもと少し異なった視点から、お伝えすることができたかなと思っております。

来年も引き続きよろしくお願いいたします。
よいお年をお迎えください。