Thank You STUDENTS and PARENTS!!!!

I remember in October when I was filling out the JFMF application, imaginging how amazing it would be to receive this opportunity. I can't believe I leave tomorrow!!!! YAHOOOOOOOO!

Anyway, THANK YOU to all of my students and parents for the wonderful send off yeaterday! The cards were so touching. The gifts were unecessary, but incredibly useful and appreciated! Thanks for the travel supplies, VW bag (unreal!), candles, figurines, cheesecake (YUM), and photo albums! Please keep in touch, and have a GREAT SUMMER! See you all next year!

Map of Japan

This map shows each prefecture. I will be flying to Tokyo, going to Osaki (#24)in the Miyagi prefecture, and going south-west toward Mt. Fuij. Click on the map to get a closer look!

Visiting Osaki....

I will traveling to a small city named Osaki in the Miyagi prefecture (state). Here I will stay with a host family! I can't wait to experience Japanese life first -hand! So many aspects of our cultures are different. I love it!

Here is a link to Osaki's webpage: http://www.city.osaki.miyagi.jp/english/index.html

What I am doing in Japan.....

On June 8, 2008, I will depart for Tokyo as a participant in the Japan Fullbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program. I am extremely lucky to have been selected from a national pool of over 1,700 applicants by a panel of educators to earn this honor. I will be travelling to Japan for three weeks in an effort to promote greater intercultural understanding between Japan and the USA.
I will be among 160 educators visiting Japan in June. I will begin mynvisit in
Tokyo with a practical orientation on Japanese life and culture and meetings with Japanese government officials and educators. I then will travel in groups of 16 to selected host cities where I will have direct contact with Japanese teachers and students during visits to primary and secondary schools as well as a teachers college. I will also visit cultural sites and local industries in addition to a brief homestay with a Japanese family. I CAN'T WAIT!

Leaving on JUNE 8!!!

The countdown begins.