I am interested in participating in the JET program as it will provide me with the perfect opportunity to connect my personal interest in Japan to a
longstanding tradition of teaching in my family's history. Both of my parents
were teachers with my mother, a retired elementary teacher, and my father, a
former high school football coach. I
have been very interested in teaching in Japan and spent several hours while
in college tutoring students from Japan. I became passionate as I helped these
students and found myself studying Japanese history and Japanese language at
the formal level.
Ever since I was in the U.S. Navy,
stationed in Japan,
I have had a strong desire to experience Japan as an English teacher. While in the Navy, I was able to experience
life as an “Ambassador of Goodwill” to the Japanese people and in return,
experienced the friendly hospitality from the Japanese. I recall my time in Japan as being
in a safe environment, surrounded by friendly people who made me feel special
and treated me with great respect. It
would mean very much to me to return to Japan as an English teacher. I could relive a period in my life that was
special to me.
I am interested in the Assistant Language
Teacher position as I feel I can make a big impact to the organization and to
the students that I would teach. I would
like my students and colleagues to view me as the friendly, energetic, and
inspiring American who really cares about them and wants my students to succeed
in learning English and in life.
I grew up in South Carolina and joined the Navy at 19
years of age. Between the years of
1993-97, I served two tours of duty on the naval warships, INDEPENDENCE,
and VALLEY FORGE. Once
my obligation was completed, I was honorably discharged at the rank of E-4, Supply
Petty Officer.
Over the years, I have developed professional
skills of making presentations, time management, and supervising. I have relevant interests of Japanese history
and Japanese language. I also have personal
qualities of attention to detail, leading by example, and being a quick study. These
skills, interests, and qualities will be useful as an Assistant Language Teacher
since I will be able to make a quick adjustment to life in Japan and be an
asset to the JET organization. After the Navy, I decided to stay in
California
and pursue my bachelor’s degree. Throughout
this process, I managed to meet my goal of graduating by the age of 30 and
worked an average of 35 hours a week to finance my studies. After college, I worked for the Japanese
company Mutual Trading, located in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles,
where I continued my study of Japanese culture and Japanese language. Presently, I reside in Redondo Beach, California
and am married to a Japanese National who I met while visiting Los Angeles in 1998. We look forward to experiencing life together
in Japan.
Once my time in Japan is
completed, I hope to gain experience as a teacher and network with those of the
profession in an effort to advance. I plan
to improve my finances, become proficient in a second language, and pursue my
interests of Japanese history. I would
also like to study the martial art, Jui Jitsu.
In conclusion, being a part of the
JET program will provide an opportunity to show the International and Japanese
community that Americans are compassionate to other nations which have
different cultures. I would like to show
the Japanese community that many Americans are striving for harmony with other
cultures throughout the world.
The Divine Wind Vault http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com (C)2006-14
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