What are Kodomo School’s
teachers like?

These days the wrinkle between my eyebrows keeps getting deeper without my noticing, but I had a fun time and was reminded that brightness and a smile really are the strongest. I’ll make a point of switching my smile on!Calligraphy teacher K

I wanted to become someone who leaves a good impression, so I took the day off from my other job to attend. I thought I smiled fairly often, but smiling with my teeth showing made my cheeks go stiff, and I realized I hadn’t been smiling enough. The practice session on welcoming students and parents was also very helpful. I got along well with my team, too, and it was a really fun training session. Thank you very much.Calligraphy teacher N

I felt that following the basics faithfully comes first, and that a natural, pleasant smile suited to the other person is important, not only in teaching. I want to make use of this in my daily life, too. Thank you very much.Soroban teacher N

In the role-play, I watched the experienced teachers demonstrate. Drawing on their rich experience, they responded in a way that brought out the children’s motivation and made parents feel they could safely leave their child with us. Polite language, calling children by name, a natural smile… I want to keep these in mind and put them into practice. Thank you for a meaningful training session.Soroban teacher T

In the first half, I realized I hadn’t been aware of how I usually speak or what my face looks like, and I reflected that I may have been making a scary face without knowing it. The role-play in the second half taught me a lot. The senior teachers’ way of doing things showed real composure. I thought it was an approach that helps students and parents feel at ease. I want to gain lots of experience and build my skills little by little. Thank you for a meaningful time.Soroban teacher Y

I rarely get the chance to see my own facial expressions, so I had been trying to show my feelings mostly through my voice. But when I faced the teacher sitting next to me and practiced smiling, it felt like facial muscles I don’t usually use had woken up. In the role-play on welcoming students and parents, I could also watch how other teachers did it, which was very helpful.Soroban teacher H

I’ve been doing this work for nearly 10 years, and I was happy to realize that my personality has been changing little by little. Accepting what happens, and instead of worrying, being able to think, “Well, things like this happen too.” When I do that, there are moments when things turn for the better and I can feel grateful. I want to greet the children with a smile, find their good points and tell them so, and grow together with them.Soroban teacher S

In my everyday teaching, to build trust with my students, I make sure to point out what needs pointing out, and because of that I feel all the more how important words of encouragement are. This time, I felt the seminar showed us the right attitude toward students in a big, easy-to-understand way. I came to understand once again why it matters to approach students from the viewpoint of self-esteem, and I strongly felt that I want to train my “power of interpretation” in many different ways, more and more. When I think that my efforts at work may enrich my everyday life, I find it truly rewarding. Thank you very much.Soroban teacher K

At first I felt, “What a difficult topic.” But this time you guided us carefully and in detail, with examples, and I kept nodding, “I see, I see.” It was a very meaningful time. Personally, I am currently learning the tea ceremony. Repeated practice, of course, and also the importance of words, how we see things, how we treat people, how we think about things… all of it is the same as the spirit of tea, and feeling that connection made me happy all over again. I feel that everyone at the head office has that kind of “heart,” and I am truly thankful and grateful.Calligraphy teacher K

I have long been interested in self-esteem, and I make a conscious effort to raise it in my daily life. So my own self-esteem is high. Our principal told us that “self-esteem influences the people around you.” This was a new “realization” for me. Looking back, my self-esteem used to be low, but I feel my mindset changed thanks to my husband, who has high self-esteem. My classroom has only just started, but I want to encourage my students so that I can be a good influence on them.Soroban teacher Y