My Ambassador I've been working at Takeyama JHS for less than a year and my biggest challenge thus far has been one of acceptance by the students. I want them to feel comfortable approacing and interacting with me. This is slowly becoming a reality, but for the longest time at Takeyama, I felt like an alien from another planet as I walked down the halls amid stares and derision from our students. I had a similiar experience six years ago when I took my daughter Libby, to Guatemala for a three month language immersion trip. The chasm between cultures was great and I couldn't speak enough Spanish to bridge it. At the last minute I was afraid to take my daughter into this third-world country, which is known for violence and kidnappings, and I almost panicked at the airport. But a kind man changed my view. He said, "Your daughter is your ambassador. She is irrisistably social, and will win her way into every one's heart that you come in contact with." This comment was made while we sat and observed Libby interacting with other travellers in her fun and sweet manner, and watched the positive way in which the people responded to her. He was right. After class each day, Libby and I would go to the park and while I sat on a bench doing my homework, Libby would run around making friends with everyone there. Her social skills have always been inherently much more developed than mine and she effortlessly makes friends and draws people to her. On May 31st this year, Libby who is now 14, didn't have school so I brought her to Takeyama with me and there she did it again. She unconsciously used her charm to connect with the students and she was a big hit. The students were both mesmerized and delighted by her. We attended four classes that day and talked about the differences between Japanese and American schools. We used an interview format with me asking questions and Libby answering. The students were fascinated. During each break, they surrounded Libby and practiced their English skills with her. She received notes from girls asking for her email address and invitations to go shopping on the weekend. Now that my ambassador has worked her magic powers on my school, I've experienced a greater acceptance among Takeyama students. They now greet me in the halls, and many ask about Libby. I'm no longer that alien who comes to school to work on English with them, but Libby's mother. We now have something in common; this irrisistable girl who is so much fun to be with. If you get the chance to take your child (or any child!) to school one day, do it! There is a special connection teenagers share with one another, one that bypasses all the difficulties that are imposed by language and cultural barriers. This child will inadvertantly work as your ambassador and through him or her, the cultural, language, and most of all age barriers will melt away and you will be left with curiosity, friendship, and motivation from your students to get to know you better.