Environmental Education and the Role of Teachers in Disaster Areas

- A focus on reconstruction activities based on teachers’ experiences of loss -

Abstract

  When examining the Great East Japan Earthquake from the standpoint of environmental education, it is necessary to focus on education and learning from the perspective of those affected by the disaster. To realize the aims of education in assisting the victims, it is important for teachers to be involved in reconstruction efforts outside of the school environment. In this study, I examine the example of Mr. Hiroshi Tokumizu, an elementary school teacher in Ogatsu, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. My objective was to understand what kinds of perspectives teachers affected by the disaster acquire from their own experiences of the disaster, their opinions on providing support for reconstruction, and information on how they utilize such experiences to develop their educational practices toward assisting the victims.

  I found that Mr. Tokumizu participated in reconstruction activities in a disaster-affected area from three perspectives: as someone facing a sense of loss, as someone helping with reconstruction, and as someone offering consolation to suffering children and their parents.

  It can be concluded that, in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, teachers took on a new role; that of environmental educators in affected areas. In this sense, teachers based in local communities enhance their educational practices through involvement in local activities.