Day 1

We received more snow overnight, but since the winds had not blown and caused drifts we had school as scheduled. Here was the view out my window that morning.



On March 20, 2006 Nakamura-sensei and Tsukamoto-sensei visited my classroom and observed the class of 9th graders enrolled in pre Internatioal Baccalaurate biology. We were just finishing up a unit on DNA and protein synthesis.

We had a team meeting with formal introductions over lunch. Paul Anderson the technology coordinator and Sam Mirich were introduced to Miki Tsukamoto and Shuji Nakamura.

During the day, Tsukamoto-sensei and Nakamura-sensei were able to move from classroom to classroom as they wished and they were able to ask questions and participate in lessons as they chose.

After school Laramie County School District #1 hosted a welcome meeting for Nakamura-sensei and Tsukamoto-sensei. I gave a brief speech about the JFMF program and MTP program. Sam Mirich, our principal welcomed everyone and our school district superintendent, Dan Stephan formally welcomed the Master Teachers from Japan. The school board chairwoman Jan Stalcup was also on hand to welcome the teachers. Everyone was very eager to learn more about the program and to find out if Miki-san and Shuji-san liked the snow that we had received.


Day 2

Miki-san and Shuji-san continued their vists with various classrooms throughout the building. After lunch we began discussing our pair project and working on what would be beneficial to both of our classrooms. We decided to put together a survey to determine what environmental issues were of most concerns to our students and communities. We plan on carrying out the survey some time during April or May.

After school we visited the Wyoming State Museum and Archives. After they closed we went downtown and looked for souvenirs. We went into some of the old historic buildings in downtown Cheyenne. Later that evening, my family hosted Miki-san and Shuji-san for dinner.

After dinner, Miki-san performed a tea ceremony. We were all very interested and honored to be a part of the tradition. My son, Scott was giving a presentation on Japanese foods and traditions the next day in his junior high social studies class. Miki-san graciously loaned the tea ceremony equipment and allowed Scott to use them for his presentation.



We went to the livingroom after desert. Shuji-san demonstrated his skills on the guitar. We learned that he had a band made up of other teachers back in Japan that sometimes played for school festivals. Miki-san likes dogs, so we brought in my brother's large dog. We learned that he is not a very good watchdog because he was scared of Miki-san and hid behind my wife or myself when he was in the house.


Day 3

Tsukamoto-sensei and Nakamura-sensei continued visiting classes around the building. Everyone was very interested to meet them and curious as to why they were visiting Cheyenne. After lunch, we had a faculty meeting. I explained JFMF and MTP to the faculty and administrators. Shuji-san made a speech that caused the group to smile. Miki-san put on a traditional kimono to honor the faculty. She also made a speech. We presented the visiting teachers with a few small gifts.



After lunch we visited Davis Elementary School. It is a K-6 grade school that my youngest son attends. The principal Mrs. Graham, asked two of the sixth graders to guide us around the building. I always enjoy visiting elementary schools. The students are always so cute, energetic, and excited about learning.



An aid for Governor Dave Freudenthal took us on a tour of the state capitol and showed us the govorner's office. Governor Dave was out of town on business, so we did not get to meet him.

We met with my family, and the instructor of my Japanese class, Saori Seta, for dinner that evening at Texas Roadhouse. It is a typically loud American place that specializes in steaks. Seta-sensei and my new friends from Japan enjoyed getting to know eachother. Laramie County Community College offered a four credit class in Japanese for the first time this semester. I felt very fortunate about the timing of everything.

Day 4

More roaming the halls and learning about East High School for Miki-san and Shuji-san. The local paper had photos and a story detailing their visit. Many people throughout the day recognized the dynamic duo. We did our first joint blog together explaining the article in the newspaper.



For lunch students met in room 83 to visit with the teachers from Japan. We had pizza and sashimi provided by the East High Ambasadors club.

After lunch we visited Carey Junior High School. Mrs. Abbot, the building principal proudly showed us around her school. Many of the staff and students at Carey recognized Miki-san and Shuji-san and were excited to meet them.



We went to the city municipal building to pick up letters welcoming Miki-san and Shuji-san to Cheyenne. The mayor of Cheyenne, Jack Spiker had written them. After our short visit to the mayor's office we went out to Laramie County Community College where the Japanese teachers got to meet the students in the Japanese class. Shuji-san and Miki-san both participated in the lessons. The class also divided in two and interviewed both of them in Japanese.

Day 5

Miki-san and Shuji-san are now familiar faces in the halls at East High School now. They visited with my first class again and presented the students with small gifts.

We decided to brave the East High School cafeteria together.



After Shuji-san finished eating he did shodo for students.



Letting each student choose their favorite word.



After lunch, we discussed our pair project a bit more and then went to the school store for a few East High souvenirs. Once school was finished for the day, we went to an old time photo shop and had our pictures taken in costume.



We met one last time with the East team and a few other interested East High instructors. We visited and discussed things long into the evening.





Day 6

We left for Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Colorado at 9 AM Saturday morning. The canyon leading up to Estes is very beautiful and we took our time stopping for many pictures. The weather had warmed up enough for fly fishing and Shuji-san was wishing that he had brought his fishing pole along.



After viewing the animals, we walked around the streets of Estes for a while before having lunch. After lunch we did a few more tourist type things before heading on a drive to Laramie for the evening meal.



We had supper at the home of my wife's parents. They raise quarter horses and were glad to take Miki-san and Shuji-san on a tour of their ranch. We visited for quite a while before heading back to Cheyenne.

Day 7



We made it to the Cheyenne airport to see Tsukamoto-sensei and Nakamura-sensei off for their long trip home. They had to fly to Denver for their connection to San Francisco, and finally Narita back in Japan.





Ja mata my friends!

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More photos and details can be found at: http://www.jfmfmtp.org/2006/html/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=107
Thanks!
Jim, EHS