Navigating the Pandemic in Public Schools

Navigating the Pandemic in Public Schools

James Gootee (The JET Programme)

In this presentation, I'd like to reflect on the state of the JET Programme when I initially came to Japan, the state of the programme now, and my journey throughout it. When I began in the summer of 2016, JET was appeared to be at it's zenith. Tokyo had just been incorporated into the programme to prepare for the Olympics, and the intake was the largest in nearly a decade. I was a 22 year old greenhorn with little teaching experience unsure of what lay ahead. Now, the programme is in relative chaos due to the pandemic, with a delay and even potential cancellation of the 2020 intake of ALTs. Now, many ALTs have returned back to their countries, the previous five year limit is being silently extended to a sixth year in some cases, and there is such a shortage of teachers that many municipalities are stretching the ALTs that stayed thin into multiple schools. Other municipalities have given up on having an ALT this year altogether. How does one navigate such rough waters? In this presentation, I will reflect on my overall journey and advice I would give new or aspiring ALTs in these turbulent times. I'll reflect on what was most helpful on my time on the programme, and on things I wish I would have done differently. Finally, I'll discuss my vision for the programme as a whole moving forward, along with professional growth and development opportunities for future programme participants.