Rota school hosts visiting Tokyo teacher

Christopher Weaver of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology recently visited the Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota to do a presentation on extracurricular community initiatives, Junior Achievement program, and dual credit programs between the local high school and the university in Japan.

Weaver’s visit to the island was coordinated by Pacific Regional Training Institute supervisor Sgt. Edward Maratita Jr. and the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

The community initiatives were intended to foster critical thinking and develop the problem solving skills of the students.

“It’s a lot of work but to make the ideas a reality, students will don lab coats to investigate [simulated] crimes, employing real medical gear as they diagnose a local spate of food poisoning, or put on their engineering hats to figure out the best way to build a reliable power plant as part of the simulations. The idea is for the students to develop critical thinking. In turn this will make them better test takers,” explained Maratita.

According to Weaver, by getting the students involved in outside school activities such as monitoring anything that happens in the community that could affect them, the youth will have a voice and can make a difference.

“Topics can be brought up at school and be discussed in class. As teachers we know that when students enjoy a topic or subject, they are far more motivated to take charge of their education,” said Weaver.

Another program discussed was Junior Achievement, which promotes business education, first through an after-school secondary program, and later through in-school partnerships with educators.

Students who participate in Junior Achievement programs demonstrate a significant understanding of economics and business concepts.

Junior Achievement’s unique delivery system provides the training, materials, and support necessary to bolster the chances for student success. Arrangements can be made for business people and local community leaders to visit students a few times or throughout the semester. They volunteer to share their workforce experience with students, all while teaching sound economic principles and reinforcing the class curricula.

“It’s practiced a lot in Japan and most of the students that take the Junior Achievement program become successful business leaders,” Weaver said.

Weaver also talked about the Dual Credit program, given that Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja is planning to implement a high school in the future. It provides academically advanced students the opportunity to gain college credit while still in high school.

There are two ways students can accomplish this. One way is the Dual Credit Program, in which students receive both credit toward high school graduation and college credit at the same time. Dual Credit students take classes at their high school or may enroll at a campus or online (if services are provided). The other method is through Early Admissions, in which a student may take a limited number of college courses for credit but not to earn high school credit for the class.

The Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon, and the St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida, have showed interest in helping ESFDB with the program, with the assistance of the Pacific Regional Training Institute. Tokyo University will be used as the internship program.

Dual Credit students complete a higher proportion of coursework, earn higher GPAs, and transfer at a higher rate than traditional students. The Dual Credit program provides an effective method to attract academically advanced students and offers the community a unique opportunity in higher education. (PR)