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2012 J-LEAP REPORTMARCH, 2013: BREEZE ISSUE #65
A FREE MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF JAPAN & TEACHERS OF JAPANESEWAKANA HIRATA
Kamiak High School
Mukilteo, WAIn Washington State, also known as “The Evergreen State,”
I always seem to be surrounded by green scenery, whichhelps me stay calm everyday. Washington is also known
for its rain, which runs from autumn to spring. When you
think about rain in Japan, you think about the rainyseason in June; however, the rain here is much lighter likea shower, so most people don't use umbrellas or raincoats
to stay dry like people in Japan. One time, I asked a local
person, “Don’t you get tired of this rainy season?” They answered, “Yes, we do. However, we have thebest summer season, so we can be patient.” They accept this weather and live with this weather. Since I
started my new adventure in the State of Washington seven months ago, I too have slowly accepted thisweather, and now I am thankful for every sunny day we receive. I am also thankful for all the little things,
which I used to take for granted.
Hello, my name is Wakana Hirata and I am currently working as a teaching assistant at Kamiak High Schoolin Mukilteo, WA, under the supervision of Inoue-sensei. At Kamiak High School, we have over 2000
students, and 10% of those students are Korean. Students who are enrolled in the Japanese class aremostly Koreans as well. I believe that my most important job here is to achieve human development
through Japanese classes to make our students global citizens in the future. I hope our students will be ina field where they can act a bridge between Japan and their country in the future.
As an assistant, I believe my mission is to add more value to the classes. Students today have many more
opportunities to connect with Japan, and it has become much easier to access any information through theInternet. They can easily experience Japanese culture without an instructor, so that is why I need to beable to add value to my classes and try to share my experiences in Japan, which they cannot find online. Acouple of weeks ago in class, we made Okonomiyaki, which is my hometown’s comfort food. Not only did
we make it, eat it and enjoy it, but we also learned about “Perspective.” Why do we have it? I maderubrics, and one of the items on the rubrics was to have the students explain to other teachers about
Okonomiyaki, based on what I taught them. A few days later, some students came to me and said that theyPrivacy - Terms

made the dish at home to share with their family to showwhat they learned in Japanese class. Also, some teachers
talked to me about it. I believe these kinds of activities
make understanding Japanese classes better, and that ismy mission here.
Everyday, I keep reminding myself why I came here, what I
want to do and how I plan to do it. “Like a human radio
wave tower, I will transmit information regarding mycountry.” And, “I will move student’s emotions.”
These are my main goals that I plan to achieve over the
next 16 months.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to all of the people who are involved with the J-LEAP program forgiving me this wonderful opportunity, and I really appreciate it.

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2012 JET-MIP Report 8/8

2012 J-LEAP Report: Kanae Minagoshi

2012 J-LEAP Report: Wakana Hirata

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2012 JET-MIP Essay: Samuel Duchovni

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Stephanie Krakow

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Samantha Schneider

2012 JET-MIP Essay: Sarah Wade

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