The big event for me Friday was the observation of one of my classes by a person that works for the staffing company that I use. I wasn’t really sweating it, because the person that was coming was just hired a month or so ago, and she doesn’t have much experience. I had heard from other people that she had just watched the classes and then left, without sharing any advice or anything.
And that’s just about what happened today. Before the class I sat with her as she asked the vice principal and three of the English teachers if I was a good worker. Of course they said yes – he’s a great guy, the student loves him, and did you know he can walk on water? Of course they said this, because I was sitting right there. Note to staffing person – ask them when I’m not around if you want a real answer.
But later I realized that she probably doesn’t want a real answer. I think she wrote down the comments, and then someday when it comes time for the staffing company to renew a contract or bid on a new one, lots of positive reviews of their employees will only help. It was pretty embarrassing to hear the teachers say how wonderful a job I was doing though. After each comment the staffing lady would say “Oh, that’s great. Thank you!” As if she was the one doing all the nice things. Maybe just a culture issue.
The lesson itself went really smoothly. It was the perfect lesson to be observed – I created the lesson plan myself, and it was an easygoing lesson for the students right before exams. It was with Kuroda sensei, and I think I probably teach the best with her out of all my teachers. Everyone enjoyed it, and there weren’t any problems. Afterwards, the staffing lady said good job and went running for the door, so I didn’t get any more feedback than that. Weird.
Due to a quirky schedule, the students didn’t get out of school until 4:00 – exactly at the same time I left. That meant as I left the gate there were lots of students milling around, and every single one of them wanted to say goodbye to me. As I walked down the street surrounded by students, students leaving the classrooms upstairs opened up the windows and called out goodbye. Imagine kind of a Pied Piper situation, with schoolkids instead of rats. By the time I made it to the station I still had about eight kids walking with me. Unfortunately all the chatting made me miss my train, so I had to wait around and I got home a little later than normal.
Kuniko was stuck at work late again, so I hung out at home and watched Survivor. I made up some dinner, a simple pot of nabe, and then around 10 p.m. went out to meet Kuniko at the station. We came home and had a super-late dinner. She was still full of energy and stayed up watching TV, but I was tired and hit the sack. I’m so ready for the weekend.
