Good evening, everyone.

On August 8th, 2007, I arrived in Kawamata Town for the first time.

At first, I was a little nervous.  I was never a school teacher before coming
to Japan, so teaching English was a completely new experience for me.

At that time, there were eight elementary schools in Kawamata.  With two junior
high schools, five kindergartens and a nursery school, all together I was
working at a great many different locations.  I have very special memories to
take away from every one of these schools.

To give just a few examples...

At Kawamata Junior High School, I remember having school lunch with the
students in the special needs class.  I remember my very first class, when I
broke the chalk writing my name on the blackboard.  The school festival, the
school trip... I remember these, too.

At Yamakiya Junior High School, I remember going to my first Japanese
graduation ceremony.  I remember swimming with students in the school pool
in the summer, and skating with them on the outdoor rink in the winter.  I
also remember all of the beautiful teachers in the staff room!

At Fukuzawa Elementary School, I remember harvesting rice with the students.

At Ojima Elementary School, I remember the moving "thank you and goodbye"
party from when the school was closed.

At Kawamata Elementary School, I remember playing tag with the students during
recess, and making many, many friends.

At Kawamata-Minami Elementary School, I remember seeing children riding
unicycles for the first time.

At Tomita Elementary School, I remember the children who decided to write me
letters to thank me for teaching them.

At Fukuda Elementary School, I remember watching the students trying to speak
in English, and being surpised at themselves when they succeeded.

At Iizaka Elementary School, I remember watching the smallest children grow up
into the very tallest.

At Yamakiya Elementary School, I remember that beautiful school standing on a
hill, and I wish that I could go back to teach there one more time.

And everywhere, I remember all of the wonderful children.  They are the future,
and teaching them was truly a joy and a privilege.  I hope that I can some day
meet the incredible people that they will grow up into.

I want to return to Kawamata again some day.  I shall wish for it.  For all of
your support over the past five years, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Let's meet again someday.  Farewell.