Itabashi-ku Part Two

Thanks for tuning in to part two of the Itabashi-ku saga! When last you tuned in, your fearless American teachers were about to go to Itabashi-ku City Hall to pay a courtesy call on the mayor. Little did our heros and heroines know what awaited them. No less that 75 city employees lined main walk to city hall clapping and taking pictures of us! Can we say STARS? It was truly an AMAZING experience. We were escorted upstairs where we were greeted by the mayor and his staff. We each sat down behind a name plaque with one side in English and the other in Japanese. The mayor welcomed us, and told us about Itabashi. Then we were served tea and a question / answer session ensued. At the end of this, photographs were taken and each of us was given a beautiful plaque in calligraphy hand created by the mayor himself. It says, "When you learn, there is no end. Learning is a life-long process." We also received a Japanese photo album. Talk about a feel good moment. I have never experienced such a moment and probably won't again in my lifetime.
After a short rest at the hotel, it was off to the welcome reception and meeting our host families. After introductions, I met Kiyoshi Wakabayashi and his wife (see the picture above). They are very nice and very excited to play host to a teacher from Texas. I was quizzed about what I like to eat and drink. They have six grandchildren, some of whom speak English. Their son also was an exchange student who went to two years of high school in Anaheim, California. He is 43 and on a business trip to Singapore. Mr. Wakabayashi is in the printing industry which is one of the things that Itabashi is known for as a major industry.

So ends another amazing day in the land of the rising sun. I will be visiting schools all this week. Tomorrow we pay a courtesy call on the supertinendent of Itabashi schools in the morning and then move onto a tour of the city in the afternoon. Til the next post, stay tuned to the continuing adventures of 200 American teachers in Japan.

I wish all those in American education could feel the way I have felt these past few weeks. I am truly indebted to the Government of Japan and the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund for the life experience I am getting and will be able to share with my students. If you are reading my blog, please take a moment to comment. I love hearing from my students, friends, colleagues and community members in Texas while I am in Japan. Advance art students, you materials are in the mail. Be patient, international mail can take time. Special thanks to Bobby Clubbs, my new colleague and sometimes blog photographer.

Best,

Timsan