Each day we are on campus for the VCET Summer Academy, there is a set of
different reflection prompts to complete about what we have learned and done
that day.
Day 1 – Who am I as an educator and what are some of my areas of particular interest?
Introducing myself – Where do I teach?
I teach at the Beach, Virginia Beach City Public Schools. My migration started from Kawaguchi, Japan, a city north to Tokyo, and on to Midwest, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, after I
graduated with B.A. in Linguistics and TESOL, Teaching English as a Second
Language. What kinds of students do I teach? My students are tweens in the range of
11-14 typically. The academic subjects I have taught are Japanese
and Career Skills. What are some of my most ardent beliefs about
teaching? ”Learning opportunity is everywhere. My job is preparing
youth to detect opportunities and select ones from the infinite possibilities.” “Be
patient with yourself, especially when the progress seems to be tiny
steps. Compare yourself to yourself from the past not with others.”
Thinking back, why did I decide to become a teacher?
At a department store in Minnesota, I was discriminated because my oral communication
skills in English was still in early development stage. Once I
learned English enough, I started working to be a social change agent who
promotes the removal of language barriers and cultural misunderstanding.
What do I enjoy most
about teaching?
That I get to witness the bright side of humanity.
What is my favorite
part of teaching middle school students?
It must be the same
reason why I like the soft serve ice cream with two flavors twisted and a bag of jellybeans with surprise flavors. Not
only students who opted in Japanese class, I like interacting with all students
who pay attention to me. I pay attention back to them, and we are happy.
Day 2 – What comprises Interdisciplinary Studies?
It is actually each moment of everybody's life. When one is thinking
about one's next meal, everybody employs all the prior knowledge acquired from
various moments of life. For example, mathematics to figure out how much
money to be spent, and thoughts of calories let you reach to your drawers from biology, chemistry, and
physiology. Trying new recipe? Employ your reading skills,
etc. etc. “
What are the three most important things students should learn about Interdisciplinary Studies concepts? Why?
You do not need to know everything, but you need to know how to get along
with others because you need to collaborate with others who knows what you do
not know.
Find your place in the world, and share the world with others because
sharing is caring.
Stay curious and open-minded within the realm of academia, because the
society needs well-educated individuals to become a whole.
Day 3 – What did I do in DC today?
One question I still
have about Education policy...
Q. Is there any Education policy preparing America’s next generation for
the pluralistic society?
The most important
thing I learned today...
A leader is not a person who knows all. It is a person who is
constantly adding on expertise knowledge by asking articulate questions and
able to process incoming information rapid and thoughtful way.
Here are some pictures that may inspire your Interdisciplinary Studies spirit from my day in DC. Click here for more pictures.
Day 4 – What is my vision for Interdisciplinary Studies?
Day 5 – What did I learn?
What are the two biggest ideas I learned this week?
Have a vision. See a giant snow sculpture at a sight of a snowflake. Social change agents in action.
Be a good reader of data. Let data speak to you.
What two things do I want to start doing with Interdisciplinary Studies when I go back to Virginia Beach?
Teaching East Asia in-service PLP coming in September 2014!!!
