Two Duval County Public Schools' teachers, Sheree' L. Kearns, the facilities director of the Challenger Learning Center at Kirby-Smith Middle, and Mariah Gaskins, an instructional coach at Arlington Heights Elementary, were selected to participate in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program, a three-week study program in Japan for American elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators.
The JFMF Teacher Program aims to increase understanding of Japan among American educators in order to share their cross-culture understanding with their school and communities. Both Ms. Kearns and Ms. Gaskins traveled to Japan in the fall of 2008 to experience Japanese culture and education through school visits, interactions with teachers and students, seminars and home stays.
Kearns, who visited the city of Fukutsu, said she was very impressed with the country's education system.
"Japanese students are very respectful of their teachers, and at the end of the day they clean their schools," she said. "I was amazed by the dynamics of the courses offered and how students, teachers and administrators all treated us with respect and honor."
Gaskins spent time in Tokyo, and then traveled to Iida City, Nagano with 15 other educators. In Nagano, she was able to visit several Japanese educational systems, ranging from elementary schools to colleges. She also had the opportunity to have discussions with the mayor, school superintendent and other city officials.
"When speaking with the city officials of Iida City, they expressed great concerns about bullying and truancy in their schools," Gaskins said. "They look deep into the reasons for these issues and even conduct home visits to see what assistance can be provided. This is something I will share with colleagues to be reviewed as a possible idea to replicate here."
Both teachers shared their experiences in the form of classroom instruction, workshops and other activities. Gaskins created an Internet blog to document her journey, and Kearns held a live web cast that allowed students and teachers to ask questions about Japan.
They also provided their fellow teachers with information about different subject areas related to Japanese culture that they can use in the classroom, such as Japanese art, cooking and nutrition, drama and science.
Kearns also hopes to develop a school partnership with a middle school in Japan, and possibly establish a sister city relationship.
The JFMF Teacher Program is fully funded by Japanese government and is administered by the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission. For more information, visit the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Web site.
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