Comparing schools; previous workspace and current

    The school I previously worked at over six years ago was terribly toxic. I have started working again now that my son is an elementary school student, and barely having been here a week, the difference from my previous schools is like a smack in the face; or possibly a cool bath after having been in a boiling pot. I didn’t realize just how awful it had been. Or perhaps I just couldn't quite figure out in what ways it had been such a toxic place. I did know I was so unhappy there that I was glad I wouldn’t be going back. My experience there almost turned me off of teaching all together. 

Luckily I have given it a second chance. And this new experience in a new town has opened my eyes to what a good working environment should be. 

    For one, there is always someone here willing to help me out because I am new. My first day, multiple teachers told me the different things I needed to know and escorted me to the places I needed to go. At my previous schools, I was never told anything except that my predecessor used to play soccer with the students. That is all.

    They also gave me a schedule of classes but didn’t tell me where the classes were or which teachers I would be teaching. I was expected to explore the school on my own. (This is a hard lesson that I am still not good at) I wasn’t told which teachers this time either , however I was given a tour around, told where my locker was and everything I would be using was labeled.

    Comparing that with my lack of knowledge about a locker until my fifth and final year at my last school and never having my shoe box labelled, I just feel so welcomed. I never felt welcomed at the other school.

     I was never told about school assemblies that I was meant to attend, often left alone in the teacher’s room with no explanation. This went on for three years before a new teacher was transferred in and my Japanese was good enough to read the daily schedule on the blackboard.  

    They left everything up to me figuring things out on my own. This is harder than it should be not only from a cultural barrier and not knowing the different practices, but also a language one. It is often hard to figure out what it is you are missing, let alone who to ask and how to ask when you don’t know something.

    I haven’t had to even ask anyone because the answers are provided now before I need to ask them. Understanding Japanese has helped but it is not only that. Everyone just seems more welcoming to this foreigner in their workspace and it is lovely.