When I first decided to leave, I worried about how others would react. The prospect of the eight months from January to August seemed to be littered with awkward conversations, and I expected also a certain withdrawal of enthusiasm and support from my school.
Not a chance. Only this morning a notably rubicund teacher was asking me whether I’ll still be in Tokyo in September, implying enkai. As for students, I guess they don’t find out about changes of personnel until they have to be told. Not that I want to drop them without warning, but it seems best for now, not to muddle up their expectations.
Today before a class some girls, giggling, came up to tell me it was a girl called Mai’s birthday. I blinked but Mai was in the centre of the gaggle, and happy about it. A short consultation and I changed the lesson plan for a rendition of Happy Birthday. By my check, every kid seemed to know the lyrics. It was a good performance.
After class, I realised that the whole lesson had been a hit. On reflection, I don’t think it was merely the afterglow of singing; that shouldn’t have carried the twenty minutes of writing, which is always a roadblock to a class’ mood. The vibe had got to me more than them: I was paying everyone personal attention, and it worked. When I first decided to leave, I expected other people to change, but with the chores and stresses of leaving, it’s been me who’s been off balance. Not that I need to be everyone’s friend but – my expression, my teaching’s better when I’m right here.