I try to keep in touch with all my students even the ones that leave. Sometimes meeting up with then even after they have graduated and gone on to university in Tokyo or that have gotten married and moved to another city. Hearing how their life has changed is a great joy for me and I appreciate that they haven’t forgotten me. One of the best students I ever had started at the age of 13 with only knowing the alphabet to being able to read Harry Potter by the age of 16 and then was able to enter Waseda University (one of the best in the country, for those of you that might not know). Upon her high school graduation I remember her words to me were “Thanks to you…” It’s one of those comments that we all love to hear. But I still remember what my reply was: “No, thanks to you.” She succeeded due to her hard work, her effort and dedication, her will. I’m the lucky one; I was just along for the ride. I still keep in contact with her now offering advice where I can. I’ll always be proud of her and her words still bring tears to my eyes. I’m just glad I could be a part of her adventure.
That’s why I do what I do.
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