My first year teaching in Texas

Hard to believe its been a year since that random trek to Texas and the 4th grade teaching job that just fell into place. I still remember the phone call from my principal. "Would you like to teach science and Texas history?" With the same spirit as a Texian who "remember(s) the Alamo", I decided to go all in and move to Texas. To be honest, looking back its truly amazing how clueless and even nervous I was to have this teaching job. Could I handle being the only male? Would I be put on a microscope because I'm new? Could I even make a proper lesson plan? Do I actually know anything about Texas?

Its funny how questions and anxieties can get the best of us but if we just keep pushing through in the direction we are led, they kind of disappear. I would say within the first month most of my random questions disappeared. I constantly went through the year going into events feeling clueless e until I showed up and just did them.

There's a million ideas circulating through my head on how to formulate this post so I figured I would do it question/answer style. A wise person once told me, "you can talk to yourself as long as you don't answer yourself. If you answer yourself you are crazy." Welp lets hope that doesn't apply to writing.

After teaching in Japan for 4 years, what is the difference from a teaching perspective between Japanese and American culture?

I could probably write a book on the differences if I took the time. Comparing Japanese schools, MeySen (A private Immersion English Academy), and my first year in Texas would be like comparing apples and meatloaf. Aside from good ol' Aunt Sally who put apples in her secret meatloaf, they just don't really compare. One thing to remember is Japan is the size of California. America is a large nation with every region so different much like the countries of Europe.

What were some differences you experienced?

In Japan, I taught kids who's parents were doctor, lawyers, professional athletes, etc. They really invested in making sure their students had the best of everything. That was actually a blessing and a curse at times. Parents were often competing with each other for who's child got the recognition and constantly watching every move. This honestly could be a similarity in some areas of the US. My Japanese students were also generally involved in a ton of extra curricular activities. They have a more busy planner than a CEO of a major corporation and they were in elementary school.  One of my students was even a professional violinist. I remember how hard she worked in everything she did, yet I could sense how much pressure she put on herself to be perfect in everything.

Teaching in America, there are few kids who are heavily involved but that's not always the norm. There are several kids who have more difficult home lives and they tend to assume a lot more responsibility in raising their siblings. There are also the few who would prefer video games and social media to actually doing things in this physical world. I recall being very surprised when I asked my Japanese students how much time they get to play video games, one boy raised his hand and told me he got an hour on the weekend and that was it. Probably the greatest difference between here and there is the diversity among the students in terms of background, interests, life experiences etc.

There are several other obvious differences. In Japan, I taught kids 6 days a week for about 300 days a year. At first, I really hated the idea of working on Saturdays but honestly got used to it pretty quickly. The job itself pretty much becomes your life. I did not really have much of a social life outside of where I worked and who I worked with. At times, it was a blessing but at times it was a curse. Honestly, the job itself was actually fun on most days so I looked forward to going to work. The other cool thing was when I left work, Peace Out...I was done.

In America, we teach about 180 days a year buuuut we put in countless hours outside of work. I spent most Sundays at Beltway Coffee grading or lesson planning as well as many other days trying to set things up. We get 50 minutes to plan but use the bathroom (finally), make a couple copies IF you don't have a meeting, phone call or e-mail  to make and all of a sudden its gone. Everything that really makes a classroom run smoothly is done on your own time and your own dime. Man do I miss having nearly 2 hours to plan and having essential supplies readily available.


What about discipline issues?

I had 16 kids in Japan. All of whom came from very similar backgrounds and usually had a strong intrinsic push to be successful. They had issues don't get me wrong but nothing even close to situations I have dealt with in America. Also, if I made a kid stand up for misbehaving that pretty much scared them from doing anything wrong.  I never once had a kid be disrespectful in  Japan.

In Texas, I had one kid in particular that told me pretty regularly "I hate school, school is boring, this class is boring." Other kids had a host of  issues I won't bring up on a blog post. There were so many unique situations this past year that made me go "What in the world?"

I feel as though I am painting out America in a bad light but let me reiterate how rewarding it is here. My Japanese kids had few issues and we enjoyed being around each other, there really wasn't much challenge in the day to day. When one of those kids in my American class who day after day misbehave all of a sudden make a complete shift, it is this feeling that I can't even explain.

One student in particular was melancholy day after day in my class and lived an emotional roller coaster. In the middle of the year after a really difficult incident, I  wondered why in the world am I putting so much effort into this kid. He slowly started doing better and better. One random day, he gave me a drawing that simply said "Mr. Z is the King of the World". He has never said one positive thing this whole year. I was ecstatic. These kids with all of their outside factors make teaching a challenge but such an incredible reward.

How is it being the only male in a school?

This truly has been a blessing being among my coworkers regardless of our gender difference. I honestly moved to Texas with nothing and no school supplies. By the beginning of the year, I had everything you could ever want and then some with very little paid for out of my pocket.  I am truly amazed at my coworkers day in and day out. The amount of work they put in outside of simply teaching their classes is just something to marvel at. On top of that, most of them have their kids with a full plate of activities. Some days I feel like I can barely take care of myself coming home from work. I can't even imagine having the energy to raise a family on top of everything else.

On top of all their involvements, they are some of the most selfless people I have met when it comes to serving others. Anytime there is a pregnancy (which we had a lot of), wedding, birthday, you name it, there were several people ready and willing to celebrate and pitch in to help. When something difficult happens in someone's life. They all are right there helping to make meals and do whatever they need to. Often extra jobs and tasks are picked up faster than they can even be offered at the school. I've honestly never seen a group of people that simply care quite like the women that I work with.

What do you miss most about your time in Japan?

It always comes down to the people. I really miss my students and not being able to see them grow. I miss friends I have made and just simply miss being a random American immersed in a different culture than my own. I also really miss having assistants. I forgot what it is like having to make my own appointments, actually having conversations with a doctor, and having a lady named Mia take care of all my emails and conversations with parents for me.

In the end, I am truly glad I had my time there but am so thankful to be exactly where I am at. I know God called me right to Abilene, Texas for a reason. A year ago, I had no clue. Right now, I feel present and engaged in the life I'm living. I'm heading to Israel in less than a month for a mission trip! Life is still an adventure and God is continuing to be faithful in growing me to become exactly who He wants me to be and exactly where He wants me to be. Like Farmer Fran tells Joe Dirt "Home is Where You Make it." I am home!