Educators Teach Japan a Lesson

How does a teacher of the year spend her summer? If it’s Ingrid Boydston, one of five California teachers honored for excellence by the state Department of Education last year, she spends it visiting schools in Japan.

Boydston, who teaches sixth grade at Santa Clarita Elementary School, joined fellow honoree William Pence of Contra Costa County and three other California educators for 12 days of classroom observation and meetings with Japanese Ministry of Education officials.

The American delegation members were invited to travel to Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto to offer their expertise to school officials who are creating new educational programs at the elementary, junior high and high school levels.

“They’re trying to adopt more of an American style of teaching,” Boydston said of the school system known for its rigorous academic curriculum. “They’re trying to change the focus back to family and to recognize kids for their creativity and individuality. That’s an area I’m particularly interested in.”

Boydston said the shift away from high test-score achievement to individual recognition is rapidly taking hold in Japan, where stress-related ailments have taken a toll on students in the last couple of decades.

“As educators, we must do so much more than just teach academics,” Boydston said. “I believe we have to teach children to be good people. If we don’t do that, the rest doesn’t matter.”

The Newhall resident added that her trip also taught her that American educators might adopt Japan’s high expectations of students and encourage young people to perform to their highest potential.

“I want to inspire the kids to be the best they can be as a person and a student,” Boydston said. “I like them to look at their strengths. I try to tie these values and life skills into the curriculum.”

KUDOS

Education Award: Studio City resident Joan Boyett, vice president of education for the Music Center, was recently honored by the USC Rossier School of Education with an Educare ROSE award, or Recognition of Outstanding Service/Support to Education. The arts administrator was recognized for founding the Music Center’s education division in 1979, for which she has served as director for 20 years. She also was instrumental in founding the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and co-founded the Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival.

The education division reaches about 1 million students and teachers every year, providing a number of arts programs.

Youth Scholarships: The San Fernando Valley Youth Foundation recently awarded $12,000 in college scholarships to Valley students who demonstrated academic achievement and leadership skills in serving their communities. The 12 recipients--representing Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, San Fernando High School in Pacoima, Sylmar High and Ulysses S. Grant High School in Van Nuys--each received $1,000 scholarships at the foundation’s annual awards dinner.

The Youth Foundation was founded in 1973 by members of three Valley churches to help students whose goals include earning professional degrees and improving their communities.

END NOTES

The Glendale Community College Art Gallery is exhibiting Carm Goode’s “Buddhabux--The Currency of Spiritual Wealth” through Oct. 7. For information, call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5663.

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