Our Town Inagi 2017: Yume Matsubara

Conveying Japan's education to the world!

Mr. Matsubara, a teacher at Inagi Dai 3 Elementary School, was dispatched to Panama in Central America as a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Youth Overseas Volunteer from June 2017 to September 2019, where he taught mathematics at El Japon Elementary School.
The level of mathematics in Panama is low, and improving mathematical skills has become an important issue for the Panama Ministry of Education. Many children have a negative perception of mathematics, and there is a need for teaching that draws out their interest and curiosity, so Mr. Matsubara's efforts are highly anticipated.
The reason for participating in volunteer work was that I happened to see a flyer for recruiting current teachers. I thought about wanting to broaden my perspective and values, and decided to take on the challenge. Additionally, one of the reasons was my admiration for the way senior volunteers interacted with the children.
When asked about his aspirations, Mr. Matsubara said, "I want to actively communicate, learn about the good things in Panama, and convey the good things about Japan. I also want to share the joy of mathematics. Through my volunteer experience, I hope to grow as a person and, after returning to Japan, aim to be a teacher who can empathize with the feelings of children." He spoke passionately and expressed his excitement about the world heritage sites in Panama, which he is very much looking forward to.
Let's support Matsubara's efforts to promote educational development in a place far from Japan.