Turning off the classroom lights, heading toward the morning sun in the fields

I am Hatasen, and I will begin my training in April with the goal of becoming a new farmer. I write 1,500 to 2,000 characters daily about what I have learned regarding marketing and agricultural management. Thank you for always reading.

Well, this day has finally come to an end.

Yes. Today, my teaching career has come to an end.

It has been 10 years since my family and I moved to Hokkaido.
Combined with my time in Hyogo Prefecture before moving, it has been a 27-year teaching career in total.

○ 17 years in Hyogo Prefecture
3 years at a school for children with special needs
↓
9 years as an elementary school homeroom teacher (including 3 years as a teacher for the hearing impaired)
↓
3 years in educational administration
↓
2 years as an elementary school homeroom teacher
↓
○ 10 years in Hokkaido
6 years as an elementary school homeroom teacher
↓
2 years as an elementary school vice-principal
↓
2 years as a junior high school vice-principal
↓
Resignation... to become a farmer

I have met approximately 800 children so far.
It is quite moving to think that I have been a part of the lives of so many children.

I have countless memories.
And I think many of them are related to eating.

I love to eat, and I have made and eaten various things with the children I have taught.
Sweets like pancakes, pudding, and jelly.
Rice dishes like takoyaki, yakisoba, and curry rice.

Among them, what I cannot forget is growing daikon radishes, Chinese cabbage, potatoes, and the like, and then harvesting and cooking them.
Making takuan (pickled daikon) from the radishes we harvested, and eating rice balls made with rice cooked in a kamado (traditional stove).
There were also times when we made pickled plums using the shiso we grew and plums we were given, and ate them with rice cooked in a kamado and pork miso soup made with other harvested vegetables.

Our bodies are made by what we eat.
That is why I want children to know what goes into their mouths, what it is made of, and how it is cooked before they eat it.
I have always told the children this.
And, growing things is a joy. Cooking is fun. Eating together is irreplaceable. I want them to experience these things.
This might be the thing I most wanted to do as a teacher.

And perhaps these foundational experiences are what led my second life toward agriculture.

I want to spend more of my life's time growing fruits and vegetables.
How do those crops grow?
What kind of deliciousness do they have, and what is the best way to eat them?
How does eating them affect my body?
I want to spend my life's time helping more people know these things.

I have fully enjoyed my 27-year teaching career, and now I can pour the rest of my life's time into what I want to do next. I am truly fortunate.

I have been able to come this far because I have been supported by many people.
The children who grew alongside me, the parents who gave so much cooperation, the colleagues I worked with, the friends in circles and seminars who gave me so much learning and insight, and above all, my wife and family who allowed me to focus on my work.
Thank you all so much for everything.
It was a truly happy teaching career.

Without forgetting this feeling of gratitude, I will do my best in my new home, Atsuma Town, Hokkaido.
New experiences, new encounters with people.
Of course, there is anxiety, but there is also excitement and joy that goes beyond that.
I would be happy if you could all watch over me warmly.
I look forward to your continued support.

Thank you for staying with me until the end today as well.

Well then, see you tomorrow.

End

I also write about various other things, such as education × something, and marketing.

I would be happy if you read them.
I would be very delighted if you could 'like' or 'follow' me.
The article that has been read the most this week is here.

The Teacher Skills Study Group, where I serve as community manager and director.
We are currently recruiting new members starting in April.
The only time you can receive our special video 'Homeroom Teacher Skills' (valued at 3,000 yen) for free is...for just 3 more days!
Please take this opportunity to join us!

We share information daily on the official Instagram account of the Teacher Skills Study Group.
We would be very happy if you could follow and share that as well.

We have started broadcasting the after-talk sessions following the Teacher Skills Study Group's regular meetings on stand.FM.