Taneichi High School

I got the opportunity to visit the local 'technical' high school. Finally, 8 months of curiousity landed me an entire day of NOT teaching, but simply socializing and sitting in on random classes. It was great to see my former ninth graders, as tenth graders in high school. Above, are all of the girls from both Tan-chu and Shu-chu (my 2 junior highs) appearing on my blog, for the first time, as 10th graders! Genki as ever, I had heard of the reputation of Taneichi-koko (high school) as being non-academic and at the risk of offending anyone, a school that prepares some students for post-secondary education...but most wind up at gas stations, restaurants and maybe, a job working as an office assistant.
Many students realize the inevitably dim future ahead, so it wasn't a shock to see students running awol in the classes. Kiddingly, I told Damian (the ALT at the high school) what some of the students were saying to me (a bit too vulgar, inappropriate and profane) to mention here, but Damian mentioned he went through a similar hazing of sorts when he first visited too. While it was a refreshing change to see students be treated as maturing (that's an overstatement) adults (and even some students showcasing their higher level thinking skills and ability to reason/debate and question the teacher, I must admit I am quite happy to work with the age group I do in Taneichi. The students here were treated with more respect = not identityless robots they were molded into during junior high.
So, this is a technical school, preparing kids for further study in things like "civil engineering" (above), carpenty, and diving. I got a tour of the dive pool, and felt the weight of the equipment they wear to sink to the bottom of the pool to practice their skills (some hundred plus pounds of weighted equipment to take them to the depth of the pool). This pool is the only one of its kind in all of Iwate Prefecture. It's a multi-tiered pool, starting with about 10 feet to 35 feet deep. The 'divers' go on to work in ships fisheries.

I asked some of the divers where they were from, and was shocked that several students come from as far away as Kyoto and Tokyo to do this "reputable diving program" in Taneichi. (NOTE: In Japan, you take a test to enter high school. Smart kids go to smart schools for professional study, and those who dont' do so hot, come to technical schools like these. No complaints, the students seemed to enjoy the 'hands-on' style of education they receive here. Wishing my old students luck in whatever their 'calling' is.... ?!??!

The kids may not enjoy English as they know they will undoubetedly never need it living in this part of Japan, making slim wages working with sea urchin and washing cars. But they possess the Japanesey traits of obedience, determination and focus which are commendable pre-reqs for any job. And in comparison to other cultures, these traits in and of themselves, are highly marketable and often used as an indication of their trainability for a variety of occupations. As I putzed around school, introducing myself to the students, I couldn't help but wonder what lies ahead for them? Will they be satisfied with their job? Will they utilize their skills and become successful? Will they ever leave Taneichi?

CARPE DIEM!