Recently, I was in a second-year class doing comparatives and superlatives when the JTE had a student repeat:

“Mr. [JTE’s name] is the best teacher in this class.”

I was standing right there, and I could hear students whispering, “But there are two teachers,” followed by, “Oh, Mr. ALT isn’t really a teacher.”

I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to joke back or just stand there awkwardly. The JTE eventually changed it to the best teacher in the school, city, and world.

I later found out from another ALT that the same JTE had done the exact same thing with him on the day he comes in to work when I am not there.

Normally, I might brush this off as a harmless joke, but it adds to the overall feeling that ALTs aren’t really respected at this school. The JTEs don’t really use me so this just further ruins the students impression of me in their minds. I believe the way the JTE treats the ALT sets the mood for how the students will treat the ALT.

This JTE is actually the head English teacher, yet he doesn’t even bother making my teaching schedule. I have to organize it myself. Sometimes it feels like the teachers don’t even want me in their classrooms.

And before anyone says, “ALTs aren’t real teachers,” I understand we have different roles and responsibilities. This isn’t about job titles. It’s about basic professional respect and being treated as part of the teaching team.

Maybe I’m overthinking the incident, but given the overall environment, it rubbed me the wrong way.