The transition to public school in Chula Vista, California from a Private International Catholic School in Japan was mind boggling. Going from wearing a uniform, having strict rules and etiquette to a completely different social structure and hierarchy even in 3rd grade caused an abrupt reality check.
In Japan, where Art was as important of a subject as Mathematics if you weren't feeling particularly inspired or creative it was completely normal to be allowed to get up and walk respectfully around in the classroom to look at what other students were doing. This was definitely not allowed or even heard of in the California Public School system.
When the teacher yelled at me in front of the whole class, appalled by the behavior which prompted me trying to explain....it only served to...