JET Programme Series: Embracing Destiny on the Path of Teaching – Jeremy Logan
2023/11/21
Greetings, my name is Jeremy Logan and I am 24 years old. I was raised by my grandparents in a very rural village in Arouca, where I have fond memories of speaking to cows and endlessly falling down while playing in the dirt. A lot has changed since then, and as I prepare for the journey ahead, I can’t help but to think back on how I got here. Growing up, I never truly struggled with academics, I was always given the freedom to choose what I wanted to do with my education and I always did well. One year after successfully completing my CSEC examinations, I decided to pursue my Bachelor of Education at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
I had long since left that rural village in Arouca by the time I started my bachelor’s degree, running in the dirt turned into running in the so-called rat race. Having moved to the city, my eyes opened to newer, finer things that life had to offer, yet I wasn’t very impressed. What I wanted however, was to learn more, to do more, to find my purpose, but how? Having started working at the age of sixteen I felt trapped in the pursuit of survival and mere existence and simply reading for a degree wasn’t enough. I applied to every job opportunity I saw and excelled at the ones I got, but they all paled in comparison to when I landed my first job in the field of teaching. Finally, I was able to put the knowledge I was acquiring from my degree into practice, and there was so much more to learn.
As I grew and learned, advancing from one job opportunity to the next, the field of teaching seemed to have embraced me with open arms. After the completion of my Bachelor of Education became an assistant teacher, I was suddenly struck by a moment of realization which undoubtedly changed my trajectory thenceforth. A buried memory suddenly arose, of a heartfelt conversation I had with the man who raised me, my grandfather. The last conversation he and I shared before he passed away, where he expressed his care for my future and told me that I would make for an excellent teacher. In that moment, I realized that I’ve been guided by the seeds of intuition which were planted for more than a decade before. Coincidence? I think not. Destiny perhaps? Regardless, I immediately knew that my purpose was as an educator, and I even had my grandfather’s blessing.
My duty to be the best educator I could be allowed me to fulfill my role as an assistant teacher with such high standard that I’d garnered the respect of the staff at the school which I was placed. I often willingly went above and beyond my role and I was always grateful for each learning opportunity along the way. My colleagues were always encouraging me to push myself forward and I always looked forward to new challenges. Then came my introduction to the JET Programme through an advertisement which was forwarded to me, I was instantly intrigued. I’ve always had an admiration for the beauty and culture of Japan, but I never would have imagined that my career would lead me in this direction. As I learned more about the life changing opportunities that the JET Programme offered, I also became more convinced that I was capable of being an exceptional ambassador for the programme and so I applied.
Thankfully, I was successful in becoming a candidate for the JET Programme 2023 and was effectively placed in Ehime Prefecture, Kamijima Town. Kamijima consists of multiple islands and are known for its scenic natural landscapes. I am grateful for my placement and I look forward to experiencing the serenity of the island, exploring the other islands and visiting several parts of Japan to experience the local cultures.
My journey through my career in education is still a relatively young one, though I have already spent a few years teaching I know that I will always find a way to develop my competencies as an educator. My plan is to become a lecturer at the university level and I believe that the experiences I will receive in Japan will not only enhance my long-term employability but also impart many invaluable lessons.
Firstly, I’d like to thank God for opportunities which I am given. I am eternally thankful for my grandparents and the countless, selfless sacrifices they’ve made for me. I thank those closest to me for their support. I would also like to thank the ambassador and the staff at the Japanese Embassy for their guidance and support throughout this process.
JET Series: Embracing Destiny on the Path of Teaching (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
I had long since left that rural village in Arouca by the time I started my bachelor’s degree, running in the dirt turned into running in the so-called rat race. Having moved to the city, my eyes opened to newer, finer things that life had to offer, yet I wasn’t very impressed. What I wanted however, was to learn more, to do more, to find my purpose, but how? Having started working at the age of sixteen I felt trapped in the pursuit of survival and mere existence and simply reading for a degree wasn’t enough. I applied to every job opportunity I saw and excelled at the ones I got, but they all paled in comparison to when I landed my first job in the field of teaching. Finally, I was able to put the knowledge I was acquiring from my degree into practice, and there was so much more to learn.
As I grew and learned, advancing from one job opportunity to the next, the field of teaching seemed to have embraced me with open arms. After the completion of my Bachelor of Education became an assistant teacher, I was suddenly struck by a moment of realization which undoubtedly changed my trajectory thenceforth. A buried memory suddenly arose, of a heartfelt conversation I had with the man who raised me, my grandfather. The last conversation he and I shared before he passed away, where he expressed his care for my future and told me that I would make for an excellent teacher. In that moment, I realized that I’ve been guided by the seeds of intuition which were planted for more than a decade before. Coincidence? I think not. Destiny perhaps? Regardless, I immediately knew that my purpose was as an educator, and I even had my grandfather’s blessing.
My duty to be the best educator I could be allowed me to fulfill my role as an assistant teacher with such high standard that I’d garnered the respect of the staff at the school which I was placed. I often willingly went above and beyond my role and I was always grateful for each learning opportunity along the way. My colleagues were always encouraging me to push myself forward and I always looked forward to new challenges. Then came my introduction to the JET Programme through an advertisement which was forwarded to me, I was instantly intrigued. I’ve always had an admiration for the beauty and culture of Japan, but I never would have imagined that my career would lead me in this direction. As I learned more about the life changing opportunities that the JET Programme offered, I also became more convinced that I was capable of being an exceptional ambassador for the programme and so I applied.
Thankfully, I was successful in becoming a candidate for the JET Programme 2023 and was effectively placed in Ehime Prefecture, Kamijima Town. Kamijima consists of multiple islands and are known for its scenic natural landscapes. I am grateful for my placement and I look forward to experiencing the serenity of the island, exploring the other islands and visiting several parts of Japan to experience the local cultures.
My journey through my career in education is still a relatively young one, though I have already spent a few years teaching I know that I will always find a way to develop my competencies as an educator. My plan is to become a lecturer at the university level and I believe that the experiences I will receive in Japan will not only enhance my long-term employability but also impart many invaluable lessons.
Firstly, I’d like to thank God for opportunities which I am given. I am eternally thankful for my grandparents and the countless, selfless sacrifices they’ve made for me. I thank those closest to me for their support. I would also like to thank the ambassador and the staff at the Japanese Embassy for their guidance and support throughout this process.
JET Series: Embracing Destiny on the Path of Teaching (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives