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Spotlight on Simmons

Simmons Leads Lessons from Japan

(This story appeared in the winter edition of the Simmons magazine)

Lessons From Japan
Teachers Immerse Themselves in Different Culture

By Katie Fiermonti

Molly Bettencourt Dallaire has brought a little bit of Japan back to her classroom at the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School this fall. A 2003 graduate of Simmons's master's in education program, Dallaire was one of 11 Boston middle school teachers to take part in a special summer program that immersed them in Japanese culture.

The program was funded by a grant to Simmons from the United States-Japan Foundation, which allowed the teachers - including Dallaire and Zarinaha Russell, a 2004 graduate of the master's in education program - to take part in a rigorous Japanese curriculum at Simmons. The program was taught by professors from Simmons's East Asian studies and general education departments and culminated in a 10-day study tour of Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Tokyo.

"It was an amazing experience," said Simmons Assistant Professor of Education Joy Bettencourt, who co-directed the program along with Assistant Professor of Education Gary Oakes. "We're hoping that through this program, U.S. teachers and students can develop ongoing relationships with Japanese teachers and students."

The group visited a number of schools in Japan, including Fujimi High School in Tokyo, where Mariko Mizono, a 2001 graduate of the master's in education program, has been teaching since her return to Japan.

"A highlight of the trip was the day in Hiroshima, spent with 100 Japanese middle school students in the Peace Park and Peace Museum," said Bettencourt. "That day will live in our memories forever and will impact classroom teaching by encouraging us to promote mutual understanding and a peaceful world."

Bettencourt and Oakes, along with Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature Alister Inglis, Assistant Professor of History and Modern Languages and Literature Zhigang Liu, and Assistant Professor of Economics Niloufer Sohrabji were involved with pre-trip preparation and classes. The Simmons professors provided classes for the Boston schoolteachers on topics such as

Japanese language, art, religion, education, values, and issues of diversity and equity in Japan and in the U.S. In addition, they held fall seminars with the Boston teachers to discuss the progress of their Japanese-influenced lesson plans in the classroom.

"I was excited to be part of a project that blended curriculum-building skills with the exploration of Japan. I really enjoyed talking to Japanese students and teachers about their experiences in and out of school," said Dallaire, a learning coach at the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Dorchester, Mass.

Dallaire found that Japanese middle school students, like their American counterparts, struggle with a sense of responsibility and purpose. As a result, Dallaire created lesson plans for her students this fall that teach universal ways in which teens can have a positive impact on their communities. Using photos, readings, pen pal correspondence, and mathematical comparisons of the economic effects that teens have on their communities, Dallaire's students are being challenged to realize their impact and to make good choices.

"Students will see the important roles they hold in their homes and communities, which will help them work toward success in school and life," Dallaire said.

She added: "Through this program I was able to learn about the education system of a different country in a more meaningful way; it was more inspirational than anything I could have read in books."

Bettencourt and Oakes know that Boston students have benefited from their teachers' experience, and they hope to bring a set of high school teachers to Japan next year.

"American students share many commonalities with their Japanese counterparts; learning to understand how the ideas and religion and history of Japanese students impact the way they view the world can be an incredibly valuable experience," Bettencourt said.

Oakes found the experience to be "fascinating on many levels. It was interesting to juxtapose our American value of developing the individual with the Japanese value of developing community. It was an enlightening experience for for all of us."