I know there was thread just like this a few weeks back but my situation is a little different and I was hoping to get some feedback so I don’t commit more culutral faux pas than I need to.
I’ve been working at two elementary schools under a dispatch company over the last year and will be leaving the company for something slightly better. I don’t dislike my current job at all and I have really, really good relationships with my schools (it helps that I can speak Japanese and so communication was generally smooth) – the decision to leave was purely a pragmatic one, for slightly better salary and benefits as a “seishain” – the school staff who knew my reasons for leaving even agreed with my decision, there’s no bridges burnt here (from what I can see). I’m also doing all I can to make sure the transition/handover is smooth.
Though the teachers (and some students) are aware I was leaving, I haven’t really properly said any parting words. I was wondering if I should write some sort of farewell message (probably to the class as a whole and not individually). I realize that if I do that, I would probably need to do it for all the teachers (something about fairness in Japanese culture or something?), but I haven’t interacted with all of them, so I don’t know how to go about it.
Sorry if this is a little all over the place and thanks for reading!
8 comments
In my experience, any teacher leaving an elementary school is asked to stand in front of the teacher’s room and make a speech on their last day (and they’re usually given flowers). Usually leaving teachers make a similar speech to all assembled students at the end of year ceremony thing. I’ve also been asked to make a farewell speech to my sixth graders before they graduate on our last day of class.
I’m not sure if there’s a difference for people working at a dispatch company, but if everyone knows you’re leaving, I would probably make a farewell speech to students on your last class with each of them and be prepared to give a speech to the teachers’ room if asked. Maybe check with one of the teachers you’re closest to as to what is expected
YES, say goodbye.
Say goodbye, fuck what the dispatch company says !
For me when I had to say goodbye to my elementary schools I did a small speech in the broadcasting room during lunch. I said my goodbyes and then before leaving school for the last day I said my goodbyes to the teachers with a little speech. It’s the least we can do for the students and staff.
Say goodbye, especially if leaving the country. Before I moved on from dispatch and I left my first school they told me not to tell the school and that they’d handle everything for me. They didn’t and I disappeared without any chance for closure. Fast forward and I break the news to the teachers myself. Company never knew and I made speeches, got gifts, etc. Fuck em. They think ALTs are children anyway so if they somehow got mad (their problem not yours) you can play ignorant anyway lol. All the Japanese teachers do this so why not the foreign ones too?
Leaving Japanese teachers tends to buy gifts for all the other teachers. Its usually omiyage food but I’ve seen other stuff likes mugs before too. I don’t think you’re expected to give anything but it might be a nice gesture.
Any Japanese teacher who works with ALTs on a regular basis either knows how horrible their pay and working situation is or is willfully blind to those things. They may not want you to move on, but most anyone will understand that you need to make the choice that is best for you. If your BoE is not willing to hire directly, they’re thankful for anyone who stays more than a year.
Write a farewell message to the teachers who meant something to you. Say a short farewell to the teacher’s room. It doesn’t need to be a whole lot, just thank them for always being warm and welcoming. That bit doesn’t even need to be true.
Tell the kids you enjoyed teaching them for the past 2 years and that hopefully you’ll see them around.
You say, yes, I say, no.