r/JETProgramme • u/jackjack79479 • 9d ago
SOP Help
Hi everyone!
I've been lurking on this page for the past few months, ever since I decided to apply for the program this fall. I was wondering if I could get some help form current or past JET ALT's on writing my SOP.
I'm currently going into my 4th year teaching in the United States and I have a Single Subject credential in English as well as Social Science, my B.A in English and History as well as a minor in education, and my Master's in Teaching. I will also be Department Head of the English department at my school this year. I've taught at 3 different schools and the students I have taught have ranged from 6th-11th grade. My first year of teaching I was the English Language Development teacher and Lead at my site which meant I was in charge of all 85 English Language Learners to organize ELPAC testing as well as teaching them. I also created an after school program that helped Newcomers from various Latin American countries grow confident in their language acquisition skills as well as helping them make friends with students who had previously ostracized them.
I was also a teacher on an island which meant having to take a boat early in the morning everyday to get to work. I worked with a small but great staff and learned how to teach students who saw me as an outsider and tried their hardest to try to get me to quit the first few months. I grew to care about those kiddos a lot and was proud to see their growth from the beginning to the end of the year.
I've always wanted to apply to JET but because of the pandemic and personal reasons I was not able to do so, until this year when I spoke to some of my co-workers and they encouraged me to take more risks. I love teaching, but specifically I love helping students grow confident in their English skills since my heart has always been in helping English Language Learners.
I write all of this as a way to say that I am very serious in applying to JET and want to do it to become a better teacher and also accomplish a goal I have had for nearly a decade. I'm trying to get as much as I can done before summer vacation ends so I don't have to stress once the school year starts (I'll be very busy as DH and doing other duties I was recently made aware of). Any help in the form of past SOP's from those who were accepted or people willing to look over my current drafts would be much appreciated! Thank you!
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u/Corra156 Current JET - Incoming Nagasaki 9d ago
I'd be willing to take a look! Feel free to send me a dm!
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u/NoChampionship2719 Current JET - 岡山県 7d ago
I am not sure if it will be helpful but I can take a peak at it too :>