By: Annika Blackburn
Recently I interviewed Mr. Tanaka, an eighth grade Jefferson teacher who teaches writing on Team Inspiration. During the interview, I learned a lot about his unique life story and what is important to him.
I learned in class that Mr. Tanaka came to the United States when he was only fifteen years old. I thought this was interesting and wondered why he came here. I asked him during the interview and he replied with a number of answers. “Number One: I wanted to study English. Number Two: I just wanted to go. Also, students in Japan don’t automatically go to high school. They have to take a test and I did not want to take the test.”
I then asked Mr. Tanaka what it was like to come to the United States at such a young age by himself. He replied, “It was hard, very hard. I could barely speak any English…It was so much fun, but it was so difficult…The friends that I had were very supportive. (They) made an effort to understand.”
I was interested in what kind of student Mr. Tanaka was in middle school. “I wasn’t an organized student, but I think that my work ethic allowed me to do okay. I (sometimes) did not care about studying at all (but) my parents held me accountable.”
I then was curious about why he had become a teacher and he told me that, “I originally wanted to be something else (like) a baker, dentist, mechanical engineer, or a translator. (But) I went to China to teach and liked it. Also, my mother was a teacher, so I was probably influenced by that.”
Next, I asked Mr. Tanaka why he thought that the subject of writing is so important. “Because I believe writing exists in every part of our lives. I can’t think of any profession that does not use writing…You see writing everywhere.”
Lastly, I asked, Mr. Tanaka what he thought was the most important thing for students to learn in middle school. “Developing a strong work ethic is the most important…I want my students to leave my class every day with a better work ethic.”
Thank you, Mr. Tanaka, for allowing me to interview you and share your story with the Jefferson community. Not only does Mr. Tanaka teach on Team Inspiration – he is an inspiration.