Examining Workplace Transition Under a Pandemic

Examining Workplace Transition Under a Pandemic

Michael Kuziw (University of Fukui Attached Junior High School)

This presentation explores the parameters of changing workplaces under a pandemic and the measures taken to adapt to the transition. COVID-19 hit schools right before the biggest transition period of the Japanese school year. For the first time, teachers experienced their longest break from classroom obligations prior to the end and following the usual start of the school year. Although teachers were unable to conduct lessons in person, or take on usual obligations and responsibilities, a large group of teachers who are either beginning their first placement or who have been transferred to a new teaching post were able to have an extended period of transition. It is not unusual to find oneself struggling with a new workplace, a new curriculum, new students and new coworkers. This year, with COVID-19, new teaching posts were filled, and teachers were able to experience an unprecedented period of time to gain professional and reasoning skills unlike previous years. As one of those teachers myself, I gained insights into the job, along with interaction with students and teachers alike, in what would have otherwise been an impossibility. I would like to share personal experiences that contributed to my ability to feel connected with the school body through clips of pre-recorded videos and synchronous Zoom lesson videos alongside anecdotal evidence from teachers. This presentation would be of interest to teachers who keen to build stronger inter-personal relationships at the junior high school level and also between ALTs and students.