Scott Jarrett
(1990-91)
I learned of LIOJ in graduate school, shortly before I graduated in December, 1989. I applied and was recommended by my mentor, Jane Averill. In January, Kim Edwards, then in charge of the business program, interviewed me by telephone, and by late February, I was on my way to Odawara. Bob Ruud met us at the station and took us to dinner before dropping us at New House where we were to spend a month. One of my first memories is of sitting in New House one night with Susan Singer and several other new teachers listening to Don Maybin regale us with stories about his life for a couple of hours. Little did we suspect that he would eventually become the director of LIOJ.
I was told that there would be an orientation period, but I arrived on February 27 and started working in the business program at the beginning of March. On-the-job training. Colleagues who had an influence on me during my tenure at LIOJ were Kim Edwards and her husband Tom Clayton, editor of Cross Currents, Chris Bowen (originator of the egg drop), and Paul Jaquith, also editor of Cross Currents. I had the privilege of working with both Paul and Tom on some of the last Cross Currents issues published.
My fondest memories are of the students and the things we did together, especially the parties. There were too many students to mention anyone in particular, but I never had a bad group. The students were some of the most outstanding and conscientious people I have met in my thirteen years in Japan. Without a doubt, the most interesting and entertaining activity in the business program was the egg drop, developed by Chris.
After leaving LIOJ, I lived and worked in Akita for three years (at Minnesota State University-Akita) before moving to Kurobe, Toyama-ken, in 1996. My wife, Rieko, and I have a small English conversation school in our home, and I teach at Toyama University and Toyama Medical/Pharmaceutical University.
LIOJ gave me my start in Japan, and for that I am grateful. I was hired on very short notice by Kim who apparently found something in my resume that piqued her interest. I learned a lot from her about teaching English and from Tom about publishing a periodical. Ditto Paul. My thanks also to Bob who, although he left shortly after I arrived, was a steadying influence on a what was at times a chaotic scene. Also to Chris who has been a colleague and friend for many years since my departure from LIOJ.
May 2003
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