Remote Island Elementary School Series Part 0: Prologue (Part 2) — The Day of Departure and 9 Years of Progress

Regarding the second part

In the first part, I looked back on the process from encountering the "special employment system" to the informal notification in the principal's office and the final decision on my transfer. In this second part, I will write about the day I left the school where I spent nine years, and the memories I accumulated there.

It was a transfer that came while the excitement of the Japanese sweets project still lingered. After farewells and reflections, this is the scene where I finally take steps toward working on a remote island. (*Some place names and product names in the text have been changed to pseudonyms)

The Day of the Farewell Ceremony

And then, the closing ceremony arrived. It was my last day spending time with the children at the school where I had worked for nine years. Although I would still be coming to work during spring break, today was the last time I would stand in front of the children. Since the sixth graders had already graduated, it was a closing ceremony with only the current students. Afterward, the farewell ceremony was held, and my name was read aloud as one of the teachers who would be transferring.

As a quiet tension drifted through the gymnasium, my name was announced, and the children's gazes turned toward me all at once. I think their expressions were tinged with surprise and sadness. As I received those gazes, a warm feeling spread deep within my chest.

In the end, the entire sixth-grade teaching team was transferred. I felt a little lonely knowing that when the graduates came to visit the junior high school, none of their former homeroom teachers would be there.Even so, I told myself in my heart, "The time has come to move on to the next stage," and I bowed deeply.

Memories of 9 Years (1): School Events and Extracurricular Activities

There are countless memories from those nine years. In the first half, as the physical education director, I focused on bringing the whole school together through the annual sports day. It was a time when I worked with other teachers to brainstorm ways to help the children feel a sense of unity across grade levels.The experience of managing over 600 students became a great asset for me as well.

Also, as an extracurricular activity, I started a track and field club and continued to coach it, mainly during the morning hours. The training was steady and rigorous, but the children worked enthusiastically, and some even grew to the point of competing in national tournaments.Going to the former National Stadium together is a nostalgic memory even now.Even those who didn't make it to the national tournament were part of a girls' relay team that practiced daily and gave their best in their final competition.Regardless of the results, the sight of them moving with all their might on the track is still vividly etched in my heart.

Memories of 9 Years (2): Conflict and Exploration

On the other hand, it was around this time that I began to wonder, "What is my true path?"I served as the secretary-general of the city's teachers' union, thinking it was a role someone had to take on. I also found it rewarding to watch the children grow in the track and field club I had started as an extracurricular activity.However, those were all limited to specific situations.

After all, wasn't my true path to face all the children in my class through daily lessons as a homeroom teacher? That thought gradually grew stronger.So, I decided to incorporate the use of information equipment, which I was good at, into my lessons. Later, it was decided that a research conference would be held, and as I mentioned before, I became the information and audiovisual director and was involved in launching the school website.

Furthermore, during the two years I was enrolled in graduate school, I often visited the school to conduct lessons for my research. It was a valuable time connecting the place of learning with the field. I also made sure to attend every workplace social gathering. I even performed a comedy routine with a colleague at the opening to liven things up. In addition, to participate in the PTA softball tournament, I would rush over to night practice even while I was in graduate school.

That is precisely why,I thought, "I will definitely come back again." Even if not to the same school, to this local area. And I will come back after gaining new experiences and growing a size larger.—It was with that feeling that I left the school gate.
Two or three days later, the day finally came for me to cross to the island for the first time.

Island Elementary School Series 01continues to

I see! Comprehensive Learning: Talking about the points of the period for integrated studies based on practical examples 👇