Countdown... 24 hours!

After several hours of just looking at what might go into my suitcase, it is still not packed. I'm hoping for a packing fairy to drop by today.

Last night, our whole family got together for our weekly pizza party and games. It's great when your husband, two adult children and their friends still want to play!

A former JFMR, Barb McCallum, stopped by to wish me well. She has given me great advice, and encouragement! I also got a call from a dear friend and former colleague, Bernie Skrivan. Several years ago, she and I did an internet project with teachers and students from Japan. We were one of the first three educators in Nebraska to get an email account, the first was the head of the education department. She wished me well, and said I will be living the dream for the both of us by finally reaching Japan!

Tomorrow at this time, I will be in San Francisco meeting all my new friends and one step closer to Japan! WOW!!!

Only 3 days until takeoff...

With 3 days until departure, I am seriously thinking about packing! Mrs. Hauder, the subsititue, came yesterday to become wise to the ways of room 201, aka the treehouse. It was a relief to have her learn about procedures, material, etc.
Now I can concentrate on finishing conferences and then begin to pack.
I keep thinking about next week and walking the streets of Japan!!!
I'm so excited!

My reason for going to Japan

Almost a year ago, I filled out a bunch of forms and made all sorts of promises in order to apply for a travel and study grant to Japan. Five months later, I learned that I was accepted into the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund program and now, my departure date of October 1, 2006 is finally close at hand. First, I will spend a day of orientation in San Francisco, California. Then, I and the other 199 educators who were selected from across the USA to participate in this wonderful program will fly to Tokyo. After spending a week in the city which a friend described as "New York on steroids", we will be divided into smaller groups of about twenty people. Each group will travel to a different prefecture or province. I am going to the city of Tsukuba in the prefecture of Ibaraki. Education in Tsukuba is based on the five principles of (1) high academic standards (2) emotional education (3) special needs education (4) cross-cultural understanding, and (5) information technology education.

The purpose of this trip is to learn about the Japanese educational system and culture so that international dialogue and understanding will be encouraged and strengthened. Every day will be filled with presentations and visits to all levels of schools from prekindergarten programs on up through college level institutions. We will be treated to performances of traditional Japanese theater and explore ancient shrines and temples. I will stay with a Japanese family for a weekend. Maybe I'll ride a bullet train. Hopefully I won't experience an earthquake. When I return to the United States, I am obligated to share what I learned with my students, education colleagues and greater community.

For the record, I never thought that I'd have a reason, inclination or desire to blog, but this seems to be a good way to keep track of my daily activities and to communicate my thoughts as I travel about Japan. I am especially eager to stay in touch with my school community at Lakeview Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Are you keeping up with your work? So, besides being an actual physical journey, this trip is prompting me to explore the (new to me) virtual world of blogging, video conferencing and the like. Wish me luck!

Thanks to my principal and coordinator, Mrs. Sudie Bock and Mr. Rik Devney and to the Lincoln Public Schools for supporting me in this awesome adventure!

Japan Fulbright Memorial

Why the JFMF was started:
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program (JFMF) was established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Program — a U.S. government-initiated project created in 1946 to foster mutual understanding through exchanges of university students, faculty and researchers.

The goals of the JFMF:
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program continues a tradition of dialogue and exchange between the United States and Japan. JFMF Teacher Program participants will play a key role in educating America's youth and in developing future leaders who are informed about both countries. The JFMF program's focus on primary and secondary education reflects the importance of internationalizing curricula at an early stage, and of providing opportunities for international experience to those who educate our young people.
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program, sponsored by the Government of Japan, provides American primary and secondary school teachers and administrators with fully-funded short-term 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. JFMF participants travel to Japan with other outstanding educators, learn about Japanese culture and education, and return to implement a self-designed plan to share their knowledge and experience with their students, colleagues and community.

How participants are selected:
The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program seeks primary and secondary educators who demonstrate potential for success and a long-term commitment to education. Each year, up to 600 outstanding educators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are selected to participate in one of three cycles departing in June, October and November. A minimum of six individuals from each state and Washington, D.C., will receive JFMF awards each year. These educators are chosen based on, among other criteria, the degree of impact that the applicant’s participation will bring to his/her school community, demonstrated commitment and potential to be an innovative and effective long-term educator, and the overall quality of the applicant’s application and letters of reference.

Tsukuba