About the Japanese Language Scholarship
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Rebecca Iverson was first introduced to the Japanese language and culture when she worked in Yamaguchi as an ALT on the JET program for two years. As a college Spanish major from a small town, she had always been interested in languages, but had never had the chance to learn Japanese. After recovering from initial culture shock, Rebecca immersed herself in learning, taking classes through the Yamaguchi International Education Association, and joining community groups, including a taiko drumming group which performed at the 2006 National Culture Festival, a community choir, and a sign language circle.
Rebecca is now a teacher at a small, public charter school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was hired to teach Spanish and English as a Second Language, but created a Japanese language program in response to student interest. The first year of the program was quite small, with a core group of motivated students. Their enthusiasm caught on with other students, and Japanese is now the most popular elective class in the school.
Her plan for the Aurora Foundation Scholarship includes studying Japanese as part of a long-term program in Urawa. In addition, she has planned trips to Ibaraki City and Nagasaki to meet with Japanese teachers of English to form partnerships between schools. She is excited to have this opportunity to advance both her language skills and create connections with Japanese teachers.
Rebecca sends her message upon
her acceptance of the scholarship as follows:
“As a relatively new teacher, I want to thank the Aurora
Foundation for this chance to strengthen my Japanese teaching
career. I live and work in the twin cities of Minneapolis and
St. Paul, and each of those cities has a sister city in Japan;
I plan to visit both Ibaraki City and Nagasaki to meet with teachers
and develop relationships that we can use to benefit our students
on both sides of the world. In addition, I plan to spend six
months studying Japanese in Urawa; this focused study time will
allow me to teach more advanced classes, and teach the Japanese
language more effectively. The Japanese program at my high school
is quite new—I started it just last school year. My students
are eager to learn more about Japanese, and I am excited to have
this chance to study and form connections to help them learn.
As part of her professional development, Annie hopes to attend the summer session program at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama to help further her understanding of Japanese language and culture. As a result of the summer session program, she hopes to better incorporate Japanese language education and culture into her curriculum planning and classroom environment.
Annie sends her message upon her acceptance of the scholarship as follows.
“It is an honor to receive this scholarship from the Aurora Foundation. I am excited for this opportunity to further my development as an educator as well better service my community in the bilingual immersion program!”
To welcome the two recipients of the JLSF scholarships, the Aurora Foundation is holding the Aurora Foundation Benefit Dinner & Auction in Los Angeles on September 30, 2011. There will also be a benefit auction (live & silent) which is a fundraising event for the Aurora Foundation (EIN: 31-1639219).
For more information, including sponsorship, please contact the Aurora Foundation at (323) 882-6545 or by e-mail at AuroraFoundation@usa.net. Please check the JLSF website at www.jlsf-aurora.org.
9th annual
scholarship winners (2010)
8th annual
scholarship winners (2009)
7th annual
scholarship winners (2006)
6th annual
scholarship winners (2005)
5th annual scholarship winners (2004)
4th annual scholarship winners (2003)
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INFO & RESULTS |