By David Stephens HOMETOWN NEWS Some months ago Japanese school teachers Kim Coates and Aya Asano visited Hendrix Elementary School as the beginning of a teacher cultural exchange between the two schools. Besides all the joy they brought to Hendrix, they also left behind some airline tickets for Hendrix teachers to use to make a reciprocal visit to Japan. So on March 29, after some fundraising and the receipt of generous donations from Alcoa Fujikura LTD. and the Sekido Technology Corporation, Hendrix Principal Dawn Neely, Vice Principal Tina Humphries, and teachers Stephanie Blanton, Karen Mathis, and Robin Wilson, embarked on a 7 day excursion to Japan. During their stay they were housed with host families, had the opportunity to meet Japanese students that had sent Hendrix buddy puppets, and got to observe firsthand the Japanese school system and teaching methods. Besides sharing the common theme of great admiration and respect gained for the Japanese people, each teacher had some unique insight about the trip. Stephanie Blanton said it was “Great to experience a different culture, their traditions, and the different learning styles. The teachers work ethic was amazing. The teachers really were very affectionate toward the children despite the reputation some have that they are very stern.” Robin Wilson said, “I loved getting to know the people. They were so respectful and gracious and made me feel right at home. People were calm in traffic. It really is a very polite and kind society.” Vice Principal Tina Humphries loved staying with an average family and became totally immersed in the culture. She said, “It was a great experience figuring out ways to communicate and to see the children very excited about learning. We visited a school that runs the International Baccalaureate program like we do at Hendrix. I was amazed to see that the program truly is a seamless program and the same there as it is here. I also came away with more compassion and understanding that different children have different learning processes.” Principal Dawn Neely said, “I just fell in love with the people. They were most caring, attentive, and welcoming. I was surprised by the emotions I felt when we had to leave. I was also taken by the simplicity of their lives. I found out too that kids are kids no matter what country they may be from. I am very excited about continuing this exchange program.” Karen Mathis said she was “overwhelmed by the generosity and genuine hospitality that was extended to me. I had to buy another bag to bring back all the gifts that were given to me. They even sent individual gifts with me for my family’s five dogs. I know also that I now have a greater understanding for my ESOL students and how difficult the learning can be for them. I was only in Japan for a few days and trying to communicate and understand another language could be frustrating. I can only imagine what it must be like for these kids here in our classrooms. I have been teaching for 33 years and if I could start over I would do it all differently with a new compassion for those kids.” The group also agreed that there was nothing like the hands - on experience they had on their trip. The exchange program is continuing with a contingent of 15 Japanese educators scheduled to visit Hendrix Elementary School next school year in August 2008.