Good to see another upstater around here. Love to hear how you wound up in Japan!

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for contacting me! Your the first to do so.

Right. How did I end up in Japan? I'll give you the short version:

I graduated with a BA in psychology from the American University in 1986. After a couple of years walking around the country on peace marches (my activist phase), I settled down in Amherst, Mass for 6 years, working as a counselor in a community-based mental health program. I got tired of that job and since I didn't see a future for myself that field, I decided to switch careers. I had an interest in Japan at the time (having traveled there with friends in 1991), so I joined the "JET Program", a Japanese governmental organization that imports native English speakers to help teach English in the primary school system here. That's what brought me here- a three year contract, all expenses paid, with a very nice salary to boot. I considered that job as a kind of "apprenticeship", and have since settled down into this career. I really like teaching, and being in Japan gives my day to day life a kind of "adventurous" feeling. There is always something new to learn. Sometimes it's very hard (language and cultural barriers, being so far from my parents and sibs), but overall I'm very glad I came. Now my focus is on developing my teaching credentials and skills. I completed a distance learning masters with Aston University (UK) last year, and am currently gearing up for a PhD with them. My goal is to find a job as a university prof here (or in another country). Web 2.0 is a big part of my work these days, hence my presence in this group.

Tell me about yourself- what do you do, what are you into?

Sorry it took so long, Life & school as always.

I have not lived half as exciting a life,k so forgive me if this is short and boring. I have lived in upstate NY all my life. I think it is one of the undiscovered treasures of the US. I love history and I love communicating with people.
The greatest challenge I have faced is trying to convince American teenagers that ancient Egypt, for example, has some relevance on their lives. Other than the next unit test and final. I think that is why I am a teacher. Plus the pay is out of this world. :) Honestly, the kids keep you young.

Hey Christopher,

Nice to hear from you again. You mentioned that you live in upstate NY. Whereabouts exactly? I'm originally from Ithaca, home of the Cornell Big Red. I also think this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's gorges! :-)

Good luck on keeping your students motivated. If you have a strong passion for the subject, then I'm sure your teaching will work itself out. A lot of what we do is "planting seeds"; we can't always expect to see an immediate result. If we water those seeds with our passion, then they will eventually grow into something beautiful. For sure.

Jerry

I have never understood that whole "Ithaca is Gorges!" saying. I am thinking it has some sort of dirty connotation to it.

I am from the eastern suburbs of Rochester.