Know Your Profs is an ongoing series of articles helping you get to know the instructors at Camosun College a bit better. Every issue we ask a different instructor the same 10 questions. Got someone you want to see interviewed? Email editor@nexusnewspaper.com and we’ll get on it.
This time around we caught up with Japanese instructor Masayuki Fukushima and talked about never giving up, gardening, and cheating.
1: What do you teach and how long have you been a teacher at Camosun?
I have been teaching Japanese since 1988.
2: What do you personally get out of teaching?
Teaching provides me good chances to learn more about Japanese and Japanese culture. I have encountered several cases where I don’t know the answers, or where even the textbook does not provide answers. To seek answers, I re-entered a PhD program in linguistics in 2009. Introducing a new way of thinking through Japanese helps expand students’ way of thinking and understanding people or things.
3: What’s one thing you wish your students knew about you?
I will never give up helping students to learn Japanese, as long as they don’t give up.
4: What’s one thing you wish they didn’t know about you?
I am still having a hard time writing research papers in English.
5: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
When I was told that my class was the best class that the student took since elementary school.
6: What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you as a teacher here?
The time when students gave up on the course, and I had to grade them with “F” grade.
7: What do you see in the future of postsecondary education?
I think the future of postsecondary education needs a secure governmental funding. We are experiencing the cancellation of so many courses right now. It is really unfortunate for students who plan to take those courses and also the instructors who are expected to teach those courses.
8: What do you do to relax on the weekends?
Right now, gardening is my hobby. I enjoy working in my backyard and to see the changes I made.
9: What’s your favorite meal?
I like Japanese food, especially sushi.
10: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Cheating, especially using electronic devices, is somewhat annoying.