This week I have a pretty light schedule, partly to make up for last week’s fairly heavy one. I just had two classes today – no sweat. I had fun with the students today, and I even had some come to my desk during lunchtime just to chat. Overall the level of English of the students seems higher than last year, or at least maybe they are less shy this year.
As a result of my meeting with Mori sensei the other day, we were scheduled to meet with all the other English teachers that teach first year English, so that she could explain her plan to them. The time for the meeting came and went, though, and Mori sensei was too busy to do the meeting. Finally, with five minutes left before my regular leaving time, she said she was free.
Nozaki sensei takes evening courses every Tuesday in pursuit of her Master’s degree, and so she always leaves right at five. She was worried that she might not be able to get to her class on time. She called me aside and said that if I told Mori sensei that I had to leave, then she could make her class in time. I don’t know why she couldn’t just say it herself, but it was a fine idea – I wanted to go home on time as well. So I told her that I had to run, and so it looks like we’ll be tackling the next lesson without a planning meeting.
Things in the first year English department are pretty shaky right now, and I’m afraid that my successor will get dropped into a tough situation. It’s not a bad situation, it’s just that there is no clear plan or responsible figure – Mori sensei is too busy to take care of everything, but she doesn’t want to give anything up.
I’m back home and waiting for Kuniko to get home. We’re going to have a healthy dinner after the pizza feast last night. Tonight the plan is avocado salad – hope it turns out OK!
