2008 Educators' Study Tour to Japan

June 29 – July 19, 2008

10 educators have been selected to participate in the 2008 Educators’ Study Tour to Japan.

Tour participants

Julianne Corbalis
Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics (MS 224)

Whitney Davidson
Poly Prep Country Day School

Kelly Donoghue
The New York City Museum School

Christina Gentile
Smithtown High School East

Bridget Grady
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School

Kelly Hulpa
Hunterdon Central Regional High School

Paula Mills
Harry S. Truman High School

Christopher Vicari
Yonkers International Baccalaureate World School

Britt Williams
Eleanor Roosevelt Intermediate School (IS 143M)

Erica Yonks
The New York City Museum School

About 2008 Educators' Study Tour of Japan
The Educators' Study Tour to Japan offers educators the opportunity to travel to Japan for three weeks to experience Japan first hand and bring their experiences back to the classroom. The program is open to middle and high school educators, librarians and school administrators, and includes a study tour to Japan in June-July, and orientation during the spring prior to departure for the cost of $500.

10 full-time classroom teachers and librarians who teach about Japan as an area of instruction as well as school administrators will be selected for the program through a competitive process. Priority will be given to interdisciplinary teams of two educators from the same school. Of key importance in the application process is the clear demonstration of a firm commitment by the participants and their school administration to foster and sustain education on Japan in their school as an alliance partner with Japan Society.

A detailed statement of the school's plans for utilizing this in-depth training on Japanese society is a crucial part of the application. Individuals are also encouraged to apply, especially if his/her school currently has classes on Japan. The program is open to all public, private or parochial middle and high school educators in the tri-state area (New Jersey, Connecticut and New York).

Highlights
The study tour will acquaint the participants with Japanese society through a wide range of site visits in Tokyo, Aichi, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. A homestay with a family and school visits in Obu-city in Aichi are significant parts of the program. The tour focuses on K-12 school visits to help participants have a better understanding of Japan's education system by meeting their counterparts in Japanese schools. In addition, educators have the opportunity to meet an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima, who will talk about their personal experiences.

Preparation & Orientation
A multi-part orientation during the spring consisting of: an introductory meeting and dinner; five days of intensive academic training; four days of language training; and a final one-day discussion session about travel arrangements. Academic training will include a 30-hour professional development course on Japanese history, Japan 1600-1900; language classes will be introductory.

Participants are required to attend all orientation sessions at Japan Society and submit a written teaching unit based on their experiences in Japan. Participants are also required to serve as members of an advisory panel for the Education Programs at Japan Society during the following school year. Participants' school(s) may be selected as an alliance partner school with Japan Society to further promote education on Japan.

Follow-Up
Required Assignment--A Teaching Unit
Each group or individual will submit a teaching unit, created at a follow up workshop on August 13 to be held at Japan Society. The purpose of creating teaching units is three-fold: 1) for the participants of the program to focus on one or a few important area(s) of study about Japan that only such an intensive program such as the Educators Study Tour can afford; 2) to refine and present a coherent teaching unit consisting of substantial research, photos, maps and other illustrative materials; 3) to offer the teaching units to educators via Japan Society's website.

The deadline to submit the first draft of the assignments is August 29, 2008. Assignments will be returned for corrections and must resubmitted by mid-September after all corrections are made. Japan Society retains the right to make the final decision as to which units will be placed on its website as well as to edit the lesson plans.

Important Dates
Application deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2008
Introductory meeting & dinner: Friday, March 14, 5-8 pm
Five-weekend orientation on Japanese history:
Sunday, March 16, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday, March 30, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday, April 13, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday May 11, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday, May 18, 9 am-4 pm
Pre-departure orientation: Sunday, June 8, 10 am-4 pm
Two-weekend introductory Japanese language classes:
Saturday, June 14, 11 am-4:30 pm
Sunday, June 15, 11 am-4:30 pm
Saturday, June 21, 11 am-4;30 pm
Sunday, June 22, 11 am-4:30 pm
Tour in Japan: Sunday, June 29-Saturday, July 19
Post-departure follow-up: Wednesday, August 13, 1-4 pm
Teaching Unit deadline: Friday, August 29

Qualifications for 2008 Study Tour
Applicants must have the following qualifications:

• Full time classroom educator, librarian or school administrator (principal or assistant principal only)
• Teach about Japan 
• Experience in interdisciplinary teaching preferred 
• Commitment to prepare for and attend all 11 pre-departure orientation meetings and a one-time follow-up meeting 
• School-wide commitment to form an alliance partner with Japan Society for the two following school years 
• Commitment to serve on an advisory committee for Japan Society on four Saturdays during the following school year 
• Continue teaching or serve as a school administrator for 10 years 
• Proven ability to work cooperatively as a team member 
• Ability to be open-minded and adjust quickly to unfamiliar situations 
• No previous experience in Japan 
• Excellent health and an ability to sustain a rigorous daily schedule in hot and humid weather

Costs
The program fee for the orientation and tour is $500. Participants are responsible for their own travel insurance, the cost of any meals not taken with the group, personal shopping and incidental expenses.

Japan Society will provide:

• Materials for the orientation
• Round trip economy airfare between New York and Japan 
• All in-country travel expenses 
• Hotel expenses--all hotel accommodations are double occupancy rooms 
• All meals, with the exception of a few lunches 
• A one-year membership to Japan Society

Information about 2009 Educators' Study Tour to Japan and an application will be available online in October 2008.

View the 2006 Leadership in Education Study Tour in Japan