Second time around

 

So, if you've been following my recent blogs you will be aware that my company has been giving me the run around. If it wasn't bad enough to have to make a decision once about relocating or staying put I had to make it twice.

My most up to date decision is to stay put in Miyako. This is the second time I've said yes.

I was offered a position in Toride, 50mins from Tokyo BUT the contract hadn’t been confirmed and, if im honest, I don’t want to be near Tokyo....now I know some of you are thinking "What! Is he mad?"...Trust me when I say I’m only a little crazy. But for me Tokyo is huge, too big for ickle o me. On top of all this, Toride is slightly bigger than where I am, it just as quite - the only bonus is its near other cities BUT I would have to start a fresh, make new friends and give up what I know.

Also, I really want to be near Osaka. So I thought, why give up what I know, the regular routine, the schools I love, the friends I know, the chance to play senpei when the newbies come, able to show my family around when they come and already have private classes set up with many Japanese friends.

However,

Even though I have said yes (again) to staying...my managing branch haven’t responded (I've been dealing with Tokyo instead)...The concern they have is because last year I was asked to teach at a special needs school and refused, they feel I should move on because for this year my position requires teaching at the special needs school.

Now lets back track a little because I want to explain my reasons.

First, my experience is with blind and deaf people of most ages...but this is all kinds of special needs, mostly children who cannot move, focus for a long time and some cant even speak or write - I was expected to go with no training...I was promised on 2 training sessions that I would be trained - this never happened...so I refused to go.

Around the same time, I was very depressed because of where I was living and wanted to move...I was just getting use to my current schools and then they wanted to tip the boat. Also my aunty died, which didn’t improve matters. - So again I refused

Finally - the driving time from where I lived was 1hours and 30mins...originally before coming to japan I turned down a driving position because the commuting time was too long...it was 1hours 30mins...so why would I be happy with this.

Lets return to modern times!

So now that ive made my decision, they are unsure that I am suitable for the special needs school. I've told them I am fine and much happier now - which I am...I moved to be closer to my friends, I know the area, know some Japanese, life is good. I'm still not keen on the idea but I’ll do it...it would be nice if I had training...the annoying thing is there is someone else who can do it and wants to do it BUT the BoE likes to put a new face at the school every year (even though the special needs keep saying the children like routine and familiarity and so by keep changing the person doesn’t help the children)

So, I have to wait...again...and even then I might have to move elsewhere

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• dilema
• TEFL
• teaching
• Asia
• Japan
• Special Needs
• school