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Once upon a time,

200 American teachers were invited to visit Japan . . .

"The Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program [FMF], sponsored by the Government of Japan, provides U.S. educators with fully-funded study tours of Japan. The program is designed to increase understanding between the people of Japan and the United States by inviting U.S. elementary and secondary educators to visit Japan and share their experiences with fellow Americans upon their return. FMF participants travel to Japan with other outstanding educators, learn about Japanese culture and education, and return home to implement a self-designed plan to share their knowledge and experience with their students, colleagues, and the community." [Quote taken from the Japan FMF Teacher Program informational pamphlet.]

Fulbright Memorial fund Teacher Program

Institute of International Education

1400 K Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005-2403

After completing an online application process, the teachers were selected from each of the American states . One major requirement of the Japan FMF application process was a proposal for a six month educational follow through plan. Each applicant was asked to design their own unique plan. The purpose of each plan was to teach the students and community of each American teacher about life in Japan.

The trip itself started with an orientation in San Francisco. Then, the entire group was flown to Tokyo for more orientation, field trips, travel, and a series of lectures on life in Japan. I attended lectures on the status of the Japanese educational system; the economic status of Japan; the importance of Peace Education; and, a sampling of traditional Japanese arts such Kyogen theater and Kabuki Theater.

Our field trips in Tokyo took us to the Japanese Diet (government) as well as the Asakusa temple and market place. We were also given time to explore on our own. Since I am a music teacher, I attended a lengthy Taiko drumming class! I spent another day exploring Ueno Cohen or (Ueno Park) and the nearby National Museum (actually a series of buildings which will remind Americans of our Smithsonian). Some Japan FMF teachers chose to travel to other parts of Japan using the famous bullet train.

After a week in Tokyo we were divided into pre-set groups of twenty teachers. Each group was sent to a different prefecture of Japan where we would explore the culture and educational system of our specific region.

One special aspect of these each trip was a series of visits to the schools of the area from the youngest grades to University levels. My group went to Uji prefecture. We spent the majority of our visit in Uji city and the surrounding areas. We also spent a day at each school, visiting: the University, Uji High School, Hirono Junior High, and Todah Elementary. We also met with the local parent/teachers organization, the educational hierarchy at City Hall.

While in Uji, we were treated a stay at a Ryokan inn. (I would describe a Ryokan as an inn which celebrates the traditional Japanese lifestyle.) We also saw famous landmarks such as Byodoin temple. I particularly enjoyed visiting The Tales of Genji museum. These stories were written approximately about a thousand years ago over a period of years. They were written by a woman named Murasaki and they were sometimes set in the Uji area. We even learned something about the local industry which happened to be ceramic pottery in beautiful colors from the Uji earth. We were also able to spend time in the former ancient capital of Japan, nearby Kyoto.

Before we left the area, each of us were sent to visit a host family. My family was wonderfully generous in taking me to special places such a beautiful temple, a canal boat ride, and to the unique Miho museum. After our host family visits, our group of teachers went back to Tokyo for more adventures!

Now that I am in the United States, I have been busy implementing my follow through plan. I have created this website as well as a Power Point presentation of my many pictures.

I teach in Milton, Vermont. There I have been hosting an after school Japanese club for students in grades three through six. These students will sponsor a school Japanese night. I have collaborated with one of our art teachers who will display her students work in fish kites, masks, origami, and calligraphy during our Japanese night. On that night, our choir will perform songs in Japanese.

And finally, I have been teaching all of my 485 students in the general classroom lessons on the Japanese culture--with an emphasis on Japanese music and other performing arts. I have also enjoyed being a part of the activities of our local Vermont chapter of the Japan America society.