It was quiet around me today... None of my colleagues are eligible to vote. No election-related buzz among my students. As if I am no longer in America. No wonder, I am at a Japanese school in California. I kind of miss the buzz.
What a contrary to the election season four years ago. I was working at a high school in Virginia. There were many heated discussions among my American colleagues and students. The night Mr. Obama was elected, I heard a loud shout of joy from the girls’ dorm. It was a historical moment made tangible. I kind of miss such moments.
Twelve years ago, it was Bush vs. Gore. It was during my student teaching in Michigan. I had my fourth graders debate. They became quite serious; some cried, some were upset. I kind of saw where Americans were coming from.
So I gathered that many Americans are into politics from young age. Even some of my kindergartners were proudly wearing “I voted” stickers on their shirts today. That’s because many American schools have mock elections for kids. And I kind of envy them for growing up that way.
What a contrary to the election season four years ago. I was working at a high school in Virginia. There were many heated discussions among my American colleagues and students. The night Mr. Obama was elected, I heard a loud shout of joy from the girls’ dorm. It was a historical moment made tangible. I kind of miss such moments.
Twelve years ago, it was Bush vs. Gore. It was during my student teaching in Michigan. I had my fourth graders debate. They became quite serious; some cried, some were upset. I kind of saw where Americans were coming from.
So I gathered that many Americans are into politics from young age. Even some of my kindergartners were proudly wearing “I voted” stickers on their shirts today. That’s because many American schools have mock elections for kids. And I kind of envy them for growing up that way.
