Kellyn's New Job!

Yes the rumors are true, Kellyn now has a job in Japan.

Around the time we first arrived Joe found a posting on a JET forum website looking for an American or Canadian native speaker, living in Sapporo, and who is preferably a female. The job was teaching English to primary school children. We immediately emailed this woman but we didn't hold our breath since the post was put on the forum last spring. Well about a week or so later we received a response, not from the woman Alison, but from the director of the school. The director explained the position was already filled but he still wanted an interview. We sent him Kellyn's resume and set up an interview. We ran out to UniQlo to buy a "profession" outfit, practiced formal Japanese greetings, and thought through how to answer all the typical job interview questions.

Well, the interview was on Wednesday at 1:30. The subway ride took about 45 minuets and right before Kellyn left thunder, lightning, and a whole lot of rain hit Sapporo like a bag of rice. Thankfully, the building was easy to find and Joe didn't take the umbrella that morning. Kellyn arrived to early to be "professionally" early for the interview so she found a quiet corner to sit and fanned herself (terribly humid that day). Then 1:15 rolled around... it was go time.

Kellyn asked around until she found the director's office. He was not back from lunch but arrived moments later. When he walked in Kellyn expected the typical Japanese formal greeting but no such greeting happened. In fact, the director simply confirmed is she was Kellyn then walked away. When he came back he ushered her into his office for the interview. They ended up chit-chatting about everything from hobbies to the differences between Seattle and Sapporo. Apparently, he lived in the States for five years and goes back every year to visit. The interview was very informal and probably shouldn't even be called an interview. After they were done chatting he jumped into wages, hours, and a small description of the job. It was at this moment Kellyn realized the job was hers if she wanted it. Once the details had been established Kellyn was informed that her training would start that day. She met with another teacher who taught her TPR (Total Physical Response) a teaching method for ESL children. Then Kellyn was handed over to another teacher who was about to teach a class that Kellyn was meant to shadow/assist with. There are about four other schools that the teachers travel between so they hopped into a van and took off for this other school.

The class had five students all around the age of 5 and they were adorable! For the most part Kellyn just copied what the two other teachers did but she was expected to hold her own when it came to TPR. In fact, the director drove over to the school (a 20 minuet drive) to observe Kellyn in the classroom. The class went well and the one of the teachers was very encouraging. The director then drove Kellyn to the nearest train stop and confirmed she could start on Monday.

Training last 7 days and if Kellyn passes she will have a secure job and one that pays well. The position is only for 16 hours a week but hopefully more hours will open up.

We are very excited and thankful this job came along. It was the first one we looked into but it sounds perfect. Thank you Lord!