Being a Teacher in Japan

I’ve learned a few interesting tidbits about what it’s like to be a teacher in Japan. I thought I would share a few.

Teacher education: in order to become an elementary teacher in Japan, you must be proficient in playing the piano and swimming. Part of the testing process includes both a piano and swimming test. Elementary teachers here teach all subjects themselves, including music and P.E.

Finding a job: After becoming a teacher, all newbies must take a test for the various regions of Japan. You are only allowed to teach in the areas whose test you pass. Therefore, if the only test you pass is the test for Hokkaido, then you may only teach in Hokkaido. The area in which you work within that region is not necessarily up to you. Since I don’t understand all the intricacies of the Japanese educational system, I’m not exactly sure which government organization makes the decision, but suffice it to say that very little of the decision is left up to the teacher.

Keeping a job: Many positions in Japan are changed after a given number of years. Staff at the village offices (Yakuba) are moved around at what seems like the whim of the “powers that be”. It’s an accepted and expected practice. The same holds true for teachers. At varying time intervals, which I’m not sure of the details of, teachers are moved. Well, actually, I’ve just been told that they have a choice, and can choose to remain in the same position. However, if a teacher remains “too long”, then the board of education will ask the teacher to move on. Even the same holds for principals and vice-principals. They move every two or three years. The principal at the middle school here in Nishiokoppe is in his first year. The elementary vice-principal is in his first year here, also. Amazing!

Also, there is some sort of a testing that takes place when a teacher has been teaching for ten years. Mr. Kurata is on his tenth, and he has been telling me a little bit about what is required of him. For example, he must take a class, write a paper, and he will be evaluated at some point. They want to make sure he is still a good teacher, I guess.

Work hours: Teachers here work long hours, like those in the U.S., but here it is expected and is a part of the workday. Each school day, regardless of when the last class is, teachers work until 5:30. Many of them are also responsible for supervising clubs or teams, which all take place after school. Yesterday, three of the lady teachers went with the school band (six girls who all play the sax) to Okoppe for a concert. Last weekend, Mr. Kurata took the first graders (like 7th grade) to Mr. Doughnut in Nayoro for their required one day of ‘work study’. These extra duties are all part of the gig. There is, apparently, a teacher’s union in Hokkaido. However, teachers are public servants and are not allowed to strike, as much as they may want to. It seems that every one (in Hokkaido or Japan, I’m not sure) will have their salary cut by 10% next year.

Substitute teachers: Here in Nishiokoppe, there are no subs. I don’t know if it is different in bigger places. Each time someone has been absent at the elementary school the school covers for itself. Last week, the vice-principal took over a class for the day. Nishiokoppe also has a teacher who teaches Japanese (writing and such). Since he has no class of his own, he can also cover. At the middle school, other teachers cover or the students have a study period.

There are some things I really like about the system here. I enjoy the fact that all the teachers’ desks are in one big room. It fosters a ‘team spirit’ sort of feeling. Many things, though, rub my American sensibilities the wrong way. People here work way to hard. Sometimes I feel guilty because I work a lot less than the Japanese teachers. I’m grateful for the break, though. I think teaching special education for nine years took some years off my life! Maybe here I can get them back.