About two years ago, we started using Canva under the educationa license. It grants access to everything, including video, AI tools, audio, all manners of stock assets, and some additional classroom management tools. I don't really need that last part, but we have been able to use a tremendous amount of the other options. It's been great, really, especially having a lightweight video editing program.
To get access, you'll need to be a public formally accredited k-12 program, and have a licensed teacher, librarian, or certified assistant apply for your school. (Edit: looks like the eligiblity has expanded; link here for details.) After that, it's easy to add people within the same e-mail domain; you can add outside of that, but for easy housekeeping just keep it to one domain or two and you're all set.
While things might be different now, there was a while when the application acceptance rate was quite low due to having few employees familiar with Japanese licenses. (Github, a little similar, but I believe presently fewer restrictions on who can apply).
I've included the following template which helped me get a response after applying in vain the first two times. I attatched scans of my licenses and Appointment papers with text similar to the following.
Please use it as you like:
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to provide clarification and additional context regarding the documentation required for educators in Japan to qualify for an educational license. This letter is intended to assist in reviewing applications submitted by educators from Japan, as there may be unfamiliarity with the specific forms and their contents.
Educators in Japan typically provide two key documents: their teaching license certificates and their school placement authorization records. Below is an explanation of each document and its relevant details:
- Teaching License Certificates (教員免許状):
- These certificates are issued to all licensed teachers in Japan.
- The first document pertains to a Junior High School Teaching License, denoted by “中学校.”
- The certificate also provides the individual's nationality, name, and birthdate. For example:
- Nationality: USA (米国)
- Name: (name)
- Birthdate: (date), rendered in the Japanese calendar format.
- The specialization for teaching is also noted. For example, Foreign Languages (English) is rendered as “外国語（英語）.”
- The authorization date, issuing body, and validity period are also indicated. For instance:
- Issued: (date), by the (university name or issuing board)
- Validity: Ten years until (date).
- The second document is identical in structure but pertains to a High School Teaching License. It begins with “高等学校” to indicate high school-level authorization.
- Personnel Appointment Record (人事異動通知書):
- Public employees in Japan, including educators, do not typically receive a single contract document. Instead, the Personnel Appointment Record serves this purpose.
- This document confirms the individual’s assignment as a public school educator, including the specific position and placement details. For example:
- Name: (name)
- Designation: Educator for (municipality name), e.g., ___________市立学校教員”
- Placement: (school name), e.g., “_______________学校”
- Effective Date: (date)
- Issuing Body: (name of Board of Education)
- This record includes additional details such as rank, salary designation, and authorization seals.
I hope this explanation assists in understanding the required documentation for Japanese educators. Should you require further clarification or additional materials, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
_____________________
(Department of __________, [school name])
by Johoku