UNews - Chris Spearman

Six U of L alums now teaching in Japan through JET

caroline.zentner — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 22:00:09 +0000

Six ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni are off on the adventure of a lifetime after being accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET).

The day before JET participants flew to Japan they attended a reception hosted by Mr. Shigenobu Kobayashi (right), the Consul-General of Japan in Calgary. Attending the reception were, from left, Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman, Roisin and Miller Wiens, Diane Minamide, Michelle Boivin-Carriere, Gemma Amoruso, Emily Kenney and Andrew Spearman.

They left for Japan at the beginning of August following a reception hosted by the Consul-General of Japan in Calgary — Mr. Shigenobu Kobayashi and his wife, Mrs. Keiko Kobayashi. The six U of L alums were among 36 Canadians selected from the Western Canadian region, which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

“We are very proud of these graduates who have been accepted into the JET program,” says Diane Minamide, a coordinator with International Student Services. “We know they will be excellent ambassadors of the U of L, Lethbridge and the country as a whole.”

Minamide, herself a JET alumna, says participating in the programme provides an experience that won’t be soon forgotten. Being accepted into the program is the result of a rigorous process that includes writing an essay and doing an interview. Minamide and Dr. Abby McMeekin, a professor in the Department of Modern Languages, help prepare the students.

“Students who go on the JET Programme will have so many opportunities to interact with Japanese languages and culture,” says McMeekin. “This complements what they have learned in their courses at the U of L on a level that not many people get to experience.”

Miller Wiens (BSc ’19) and his wife, Roisin (BFA ’18), had their desire to return to Japan cemented after they spent a month there as part of an exchange program.

“Both my husband and I went on the exchange to Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and we fell in love with the culture, the food and the rhythm of day-to-day life,” says Roisin. “This was a really great opportunity for us to continue that relationship between Canada and Japan.”

She and Miller will be living in Kasukabe, a city northwest of Tokyo, and teaching at five schools in the Saitama Prefecture. Miller, who studied kinesiology, had dreams of being a personal trainer but that all changed when he took a Japanese course.

“McMeekin sensei is one of my role models. I admire the way she teaches Japanese and gets students engaged,” he says. “I absolutely loved her language classes and I took all the classes I possibly could.”

Gemma Amoruso (BA ’19), who’ll be teaching at two elementary schools and a junior high in Sendai, took Japanese history courses while at the U of L and also participated in the Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ exchange.

“When I was there I knew I had to go back,” she says. “After learning about the culture and meeting my host family and friends, I knew I had to go back eventually.”

Knowing about her interest in living in another country, the spouse of a co-worker recommended JET to Michelle Boivin-Carriere (BA ’18).

“I wanted to experience a different culture and go abroad. I applied last year and was an alternate. I reapplied this year and I’m off to Toyooka,” says Boivin-Carriere. “I will be working at a middle school, along with two elementary schools. I’m very excited. I’ve had experience with elementary schools before and I’m also looking forward to the challenge of a middle school.”

Andrew Spearman (BA ’17, BEd ’18) will be teaching English at a middle school and four elementary schools. While he’s not fluent in Japanese, he’s familiar with its traditions.

“Growing up, I was fortunate to be part of the Judo Club. Japanese culture and customs are very near and dear to my heart and they evolved once I hit university,” he says. “Diane Minamide has facilitated the importance of friendship internationally and I’ve seen the fruits of that, as well. We here in southern Alberta have a very important history with Japan. As somebody who’s got an education degree in modern languages, it’s important for me to come back and teach Japanese and to teach something that is more exclusive to this region.”

For Emily Kenney (BA, BEd ’18), participating in the JET programme represents a long-held wish. She’ll be teaching at a junior high school in Haebaru, Okinawa, Lethbridge’s sister city.

“My practicums through education gave me the opportunity to work at an elementary school, a senior high school and a junior high school,” says Kenney. “In Lethbridge, many students are not native to Lethbridge; they come from Syria and Africa. When I was teaching them, I wondered how I could relate to them because I’ve only known the Canadian perspective. In my essay when I applied for JET, I wrote about my desire to grow that ability to relate and understand what it’s like to be a new person in a new country where you might not speak the language, you don’t know the culture and you don’t know anyone. I’m so excited. This is such a great opportunity and I’m so blessed to be able to have this chance.”

The JET programme has been giving students the opportunity to travel to Japan and work in Japanese schools and cultural organizations for more than 30 years. Students initially sign on for one year but can return for up to five years.

“If there are any students who think that this is something they might want to do or if they want to travel, they should apply for it,” says Amoruso. “When I applied, I didn’t think there was a shot that I was going to get this, even after the interview. There’s support at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and you can get involved in clubs, all these opportunities are open to you. Just go for them and don’t dream too small.”

The next JET recruitment session begins this fall. Anyone interested is invited to attend an information session on Tuesday, Oct. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. Those interested can sign up with Career Services.

5 Days crew nets more than $11,000 for Wood's Homes

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:56:10 +0000

After surviving five cold and snowy nights on the cement pad outside the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Management's 5 Days for the Homeless team announced it had raised an outstanding $11,479.26 in support of Wood's Homes emergency youth shelter.

The 5 Days for the Homeless team braved some snowy conditions throughout its week on the streets.

Over the course of one week, the students sacrificed all technology, routine meals, a warm bed, and their own personal hygiene to contribute to the cause. In addition to not having access to their own money, students had only the clothing on their backs and the sleeping bags that they were permitted to bring with them as amenities for the full five days. They were also only be permitted to eat food that was given to them.

The group constructed its own shelter out of cardboard and tape, and relied on the generosity of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to help them through the five days on the street.

This year's guest sleepers included Director of External Relations (Management) Steve Craig, Student Union VP-External Affairs Adam Long, Faculty of Management students Kelly Stevens and Matt Sheremeta, political science student Mac Nichol, and Faculty of Health Sciences student Heather Nixdorf. Lethbridge mayor Chris Spearman also paid a visit to the students to offer his support.

The team would like to express its sincere gratitude to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community, to everyone who donated in person and online, and to the organizers and guests who helped make the event a success.

The team and its organizers consisted of: C J White Quills, Matt Gagne, Samantha Richardson, Kate Kovacs, Sara Unrau, Kelly Stevens, Amie Hagstrom, Nicole Meurs and Heather Harty.

Operation Red Nose on the roads for its 19th season

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 21:06:38 +0000

For the past 18 years, volunteers from Pronghorn Athletics and the southern Alberta community have been helping to keep our roads free of impaired drivers. As the 19th season of Operation Red Nose hits the streets this holiday season, the impact of the annual program is felt throughout southern Alberta.

“It’s a wonderful asset to the community that people can access Operation Red Nose,” says Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman. “You can go somewhere, have a good time, and if you plan ahead, you know your car will be back home with you in the morning.”

Operation Red Nose is a unique holiday program that allows individuals who have been drinking, or who do not feel fit to drive their own vehicle home, to summon a team of Red Nose volunteers who will pick them up and drive their vehicles to their homes. A no-fee service, Operation Red Nose accepts donations in support of Pronghorn Athletics.

“It’s really a win-win-win situation,” adds Spearman. “You have volunteers coming out and helping people get home safely, the proceeds go to support athletic programs at the U of L and think about it, how many lives have been saved as a result over the years?”

The nationwide Operation Red Nose campaign is now in its 30th year and over that time, nearly one million volunteers have assisted the program. Client donations are given to youth or amateur sport organizations and last year alone, close to $1.5 million was raised across the country. Locally, more than $500,000 has been raised in support of Pronghorn Athletics over the past 18 years.

The majority of the program’s volunteers are Pronghorn athletes. Each athlete is required to work at least one shift (the program will operate for 12 evenings this season) but many work more.

“I think it’s great showing how involved we are within the community,” says Dylan Tait, a third-year goaltender with the Horns men’s hockey program. “It’s kind of neat when you’re driving somebody home and they ask why you’re doing it and you tell them you’re on the basketball or the hockey team. You see their eyes light up and they realize that we really are a part of this, in between practice and studying, and that we are taking the time to do it.”

Glenda Edie, a fifth-year player on the women’s hockey team, enjoys her nights on the road with her fellow volunteers.

“You get to meet people within the community and also build relationships with other Pronghorn athletes,” she says.

“I’m from Winnipeg and when I moved to Lethbridge to play with the Horns, it was the first I’d ever heard of such a program. It really is a great program, and something I’d like to see in a lot more places.”

Aside from the program’s volunteer support, a variety of local businesses offer financial assistance and products and services that keep Operation Red Nose on the roads each holiday season. Along with cash donations, all food and refreshments for volunteers, along with gas, phone service and insurance coverage is donated to the program. This season, Alpine Insurance and Intact Insurance have taken on the role of co-sponsors for the program’s insurance coverage.

The dates of service for the 2013 Operation Red Nose campaign are November 29-30, December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 and New Year’s Eve.

Call 403-320-4155 to access the service, or contact Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681 to volunteer.

Chillin' 4 Charity 2013 on at Galt Gardens

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:21:31 +0000

That's right, it's Chillin' 4 Charity time again, and this year JDC West is dialing up the fun factor by taking the event off campus.

The annual United Way fundraiser is always a chilln' good time.

Spnsored by YPM Chartered Acountants, the 9th Annual Chillin' is taking place at Galt Gardens in downtown Lethbridge today, near the fountain area.

As always, the event raises funds in support of United Way of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to come to Galt Gardens between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to watch the jumpers, enjoy some food and make a donation.

Last year, JDC West raised $5,460, and they are hoping to exceed that number this year and further support the United Way.

People making a splash for the United Way this year include Dean of the Faculty of Management, Dr. Bob Ellis, and the newly elected Mayor of Lethbridge, Chris Spearman (splashdown is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.).

Those wishing to donate online can visit www.lethbridgeunitedway.ca

For more information about JDC West and Chillin' 4 Charity, visit www.ulethjdcwest.com/.

View photos and video of past Chillin' events at: www.uleth.ca/management/chillin-4-charity-photos.

Sendas to be honoured at Management dinner

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:08:16 +0000

If, in the first two minutes of discussing the sport of judo, the name of Dr. Yosh Senda is not uttered, then the conversation is truly lacking in depth.

Simply stated, Senda and judo are synonymous and fully complementary. To discuss one without the other does a disservice to both. For that, Senda has been recognized time and again for his invaluable contribution to the growth of the ancient, time-honoured sport. He, along with his wife Florence, will once again take centre stage next month as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Faculty of Management pays tribute to Senda at the 22nd Annual Scholarship Fundraising Dinner.

Scheduled for Friday, Mar. 13 at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel, the Faculty will recognize the contributions of Senda to the sport of judo; honouring a man who has devoted 75-plus years to the noble pursuit.

"Dr. Senda has dedicated his life to building the sport of judo in Lethbridge," says Chris Spearman in nominating Senda as an honouree. "He instills in his students that judo is more than just a physical exercise for the body – judo is a way of life. He takes pride when his students do well in competition; his only requirement is that his students try their very best and never give up hope."

Senda has represented the sport in several capacities, coaching all the way up to the Olympic level. Achieving glory and fame however, is the farthest thing from his mind. In fact it is ironic that a man so soft-spoken, so humble and dedicated to being a volunteer, would elicit so much attention.

Named to the Order of Canada in 2008, the country's highest civilian honour, Senda's list of awards and hall of fame dedications is awe inspiring. Through it all, he simply sees himself as a "judo boy", supported ably by Florence, herself a third degree black belt.

Without Senda, the sport of judo would not hold such a prominent place in the local, provincial and national sporting scene, nor would the U of L have a judo exchange program that continues today to allow judo students an opportunity to travel to Japan and return with lifelong memories.

It promises to be a special night, and one well deserved, as the Faculty of Management celebrates both Yosh and Florence Senda and their contributions to the sporting community.

For tickets to the event, contact Steve Craig, Director – Cooperative Education and Internships, at 403-329-5181.

UNews - Chris Spearman

Six U of L alums now teaching in Japan through JET

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