This Spring Term, all Japanese classes at Andover have been canceled. The course cancelations were prompted by the course’s lone teacher, Teruyo Shimazu’s leave of absence, which has affected around 100 enrolled students. Despite the complications that have arisen, students in her class have remained understanding and sympathetic.
In an email to The Phillipian, Clara Isaza-Bishop, Head of the Language Department, elaborated on the current situation and cause for the cancelation of language classes. She stated how the department was unable to find a replacement instructor.
“I can only say that Ms. Shimazu needed to take a leave of absence this term. The Dean of Faculty published a job posting, and we reached out to Middlebury College, Dartmouth College, and the Japanese consulate of Boston and New York, but we couldn’t find an instructor. That is why we had to cancel the classes for this term,” wrote Isaza-Bishop.
Mayumi Kawano ’25, a current student in Japanese 300, noted how the cancelation of classes has been a disappointment to students. Despite this, she made sure to emphasize the students’ understanding and regards to Shimazu.
“[It] definitely surprised me, and I know a lot of students are disappointed. We had a lot more to learn this year, and it’s been sad to not [take] the course anymore, ” said Kawano.
Kawano recalled that students advocated for alternatives to the language department. She detailed a list of proposals but noted that they were all rejected.
“Over break, a couple students got together and proposed a couple ideas. I think one of them was matching up higher-level students to intro-level students as tutors or using that period designated as class time to study on our own or maybe gain resources from schools nearby or colleges nearby. Using their textbooks or having somebody come in. Those all failed to my knowledge,” said Kawano.
Nicolas Lima ’25, a Japanese 400-level student, also added to the alternatives that were suggested to the language department. Lima explained his discontent with the language department not coming up with any solutions.
“We tried to talk to the school and say, ‘Hey, there’s a bunch of options we can do. Japanese 400 is already a seminar class, so it’s self study. We could continue with another language instructor as an advisor. You could bus us into Boston, and we could take classes in Boston. We could also hire another Japanese teacher.’ Everything we said they said you can’t do without a Japanese teacher,” said Lima.
Lima continued, “I think it’s ridiculous that [they] can’t find a workaround or a way to teach it especially with almost 100 students taking the class. The school definitely hasn’t facilitated things. Their one proposal was that they would have a study hall once a week where we work on japanese. It’s a nice center, but if I’m going to study Japanese I’m not gonna do it without instruction.”
Jonathan Bu ’26, a current student in Japanese 200, noted how much he has enjoyed Japanese class and being taught by Shimazu thus far.
“I went to one of the preliminary info sessions, and I met Shimazu Sensei. I fell in love right then and there. I loved her as a teacher, and I’ve loved the class even more ever since. She takes a lot of classes from what I know. I don’t know exactly what her schedule looks like, but she works hard, obviously,” said Bu.
Bu explained Shimazu’s dedication to her students and the course, despite the heavy workload that she faces as the only instructor. Bu speculated on the considerable stress her class load may impose on her.
“I heard that they were looking into getting a teaching fellow, but I don’t think that ever got through. Shimazu Sensei is the only teacher. I don’t even think she has a lunch period. It’s been very tough on her, so she’s a real trooper. She’s very strong for that. She takes a lot of classes from what I know,” said Bu.
Kenneth Shows, Associate Director in the College Counseling Office, explained the steps Andover took to ensure the students could have complete schedules. He noted his appreciation for how flexible and understanding the students have been.
“The students who were planning to take Japanese lost a class from their schedules, and in many cases this meant we needed to add another course so that the students could have complete schedules. We worked with those students to add courses and all of them were able to add another class,” said Shows in an email to The Phillipian.
Shows added, “As a result, our electives are a little fuller than we expected this spring, but fortunately we had enough room to make our displaced students fit. By and large, the impacted students responded with grace and good will, and I really appreciate their collaboration and partnership in the face of a difficult situation.”
