A few weeks before returning to America, I was contacted by one of the Japanese teachers from my hometown in Iowa. She told me that she was going part-time and that the other 3 hours of Japanese were going to be available. Excited, I applied for the job, even though I had not passed the Oral Proficiency Interview in Japanese that was required by my university in order for me to obtain my teaching license. I had taken the test before I left for Japan, but had only received Intermediate Mid. In order to pass, I need to be at the Advanced Low level. Confident in my abilities of Japanese after a year of living there, I contacted the principal of the school and kept in contact while I traveled back to the U.S. and retook the OPI test a week after my arrival back home.
I went to the teacher's meetings at the school and was introduced by the principal to the rest of the staff that I was going to (hopefully) be the new Japanese part-time teacher. That Friday, as I was preparing my room and talking to the other Japanese teacher, I decided to check my email one more time before calling it quits for the day. Since Monday was the start of school, I wanted to get lots of time in with my husband before getting overloaded with work. I opened my email and was surprised to see an email from the testing company telling me that my score was in and to check on their website. The other teacher continued to chat with me as I tried to keep my heart in my chest and not betray my emotions as I clicked through to the link. Intermediate High. One level below Advanced Low. "What?!" I yelled. I couldn't believe it. The other teacher stopped and stared at me. "What?" she asked. I told her. I don't remember what she said after that except, "What do you need me to do?" "Well, we need to find a new Japanese teacher, I guess," I said, in shock. I did not break down into tears, but my eyes did water. Here was the job I had always wanted--had worked hard towards for the past 6 years--and it still wasn't mine. Even though the principal and the other Japanese teacher tried everything they could, they couldn't keep me on as a teacher because I did not have my teaching license. So, while they searched for another Japanese teacher, I was the fill-in. I greeted the classes and worked with them as if I would be there forever, but I knew that it wouldn't last. I couldn't even teach more than five consecutive days at the school due to different laws. Wednesday came and I was told that they had found another teacher. I informed my classes that I wouldn't be staying--I was really just the substitute teacher. They were upset, as was to be expected, but it was nice to know that they had come to like me within the three days we had been together. Especially since some of the students had taken Japanese because they knew the other teacher of Japanese and were expecting her to teach them instead of me. The new teacher came after school that day and I met her. She was my first year teacher from when I took Japanese in high school. It was a nice surprise, even though she didn't remember me. She was kind and I knew the students would be in good hands. As the three of us were talking (the new teacher, me, and the other Japanese teacher), the other Japanese teacher started crying. "I just feel so frustrated for you," she said. "I just wish things hadn't gone the way they did." I nodded. "You're so strong," she added. "If all of this stuff had happened to me, I would be a mess on the floor." I nodded again and teared up. Sure, I had decorated the room just how I would have liked it and then had to take all of my things back to my house. I also had to take back all of the books and such that I had put on the bookshelf for referencing. I also had to keep in contact with the university to see what I would be able to do to get a degree in teaching that did not involve me taking the OPI again. In the end, I signed up to get my English Content degree through the university. 15 credits and then a multiple choice/short answer test on a computer afterwards. I was a week late to all of the classes. I worked hard and didn't have time to work. Luckily, my husband was okay with that and supported us. Now, I am waiting for my results of that last test. Hopefully, I will pass and be able to get my teaching license, which will allow me to then teach either English or Japanese.
2 Comments
Rachel D.
1/15/2016 07:57:12 pm
This still makes my blood boil. The other teacher is right - you ARE strong. Incredibly strong! I'm so excited for you to be able to start the next phase of your career. You never cease to amaze and inspire me. Hang in there.
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Linda Dean
1/16/2016 07:50:13 pm
We are so proud of you, Melanie! You have not given up and are such a hard worker. You are going to be a great teacher.
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Myself
Video blogger and now a blogger as well. My life in Japan has changed me for the better. However, it wasn't easy... Archives
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