I have been very fortunate to be raised in a family that lived overseas, and also experienced living in Spain as a child. My family also stressed tolerance and diversity as an asset. My parents were a mixed race couple at a time when it was not as common in the States as it is now. I also have two Korean cousins that were adopted into the family, so my version of family has never been limited to people who look like me or even share my blood. This is part of why I was not only drawn to move overseas, but why I can genuinely consider Japan my home and some of the people I’ve met here my family.
I started working with children when I was 11. There was a volunteer program where we could work with kindergarten children (5 years old), assisting the teachers with reading, crafts, play, etc. I really enjoyed my time with them and found I had a natural instinct for caring for children. When I was 12 I started babysitting. This is not unheard of in the States. But I built a robust client list because of how much fun I had with the kids while also being able to keep them safe and respect the boundaries of the household.
In high school I did more volunteer work with children and began tutoring. I tutored other students in English, science, and math, sometimes tutoring students who were older than me. My volunteer work included a wide range of activities, but during my two years in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) I volunteered every day after school with children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. I then worked for that organization after I graduated before I moved away to go to university. While in university and after I continued babysitting, volunteering, tutoring, and teaching. Finally after years of teaching I was fortunate enough to teach at a school that introduced the IB Primary Years Program (PYP).
For me teaching has always been about making sure every child can learn and excel to the best of their ability. There is nothing quite like when someone has been struggling with a skill or subject content and you help them figure it out. It usually takes a long time, possibly years, before some of their learning goals are met. But every step along the way provides a chance for them to grow their confidence as lifelong learners. As I worked on my Master’s in Education, I realized that I am a teacher who believes in constructivism, the idea that everyone creates their own knowledge and teachers and parents are there to support and guide children on their journey.
I am very academically minded. And I have high standards for what I hope to help my students achieve. But I also believe that the most important lessons from school are the ones that can’t be answered on a test. They are the lessons about how to ask and answer questions. They are lessons about how to work with others. They are the lessons about how to take advantage of every opportunity to improve yourself as a person. This is why I am so passionate about IB and about CGK.
As an IB student and educator, I have seen how central character and skill development are to the IB programs. I learned so much subject knowledge as a DP student. But the lessons that have really lasted are my desire to keep learning, especially in the subjects I find the most interesting, and the skills that allowed me to move to another country. As an IB educator, I have always planned for rigorous subject content, but also make sure character and skill development are intentionally planned for and never an afterthought. The more I learn about IB, the more I am convinced that it is the best possible framework for our children’s education.
CGK was founded with the idea of focusing not only on English education, but on educating the whole child. It is evident in how the teachers respond to the children in their care. It is evident in how teachers talk about the children in their care. It is evident in the relationships among the staff. And it is evident in how decisions have been made at CGK. Implementing the IB has helped bring more intention and academic rigor to CGK, but it is just improving on what was already there.
For me working at CGK is a dream come true. I am helping other like-minded people create a school that honors students AND teachers and works everyday to fulfill its mission of “maximizing opportunities for happiness in an increasingly global world.” I have worked with other great teachers throughout my career, but I have never before been fortunate enough to be part of a school like CGK where everyone takes their work seriously but also finds so much joy in what they do, from the teachers, to the office staff, to the school president. I am excited to be part of helping to build this school and making a well-rounded, rigorous, joyful, international education available to as many students and families as possible.
CGKでの経歴
2022年:初等部開校の準備 / IB PYPコーディネーター / アフタースクール教師
2023年:初等部スクール長 / IB PYPコーディネーター
2025年:初中等部スクール長 / IB PYPコーディネーター
CGK以外の経歴
国際バカロレア・ディプロマ・プログラム(IB DP)卒業 (フロリダ州タンパのヒルズボロー高校)
アメリカと日本で30年以上、さまざまな立場での子供たちと働いてきた経験 (期間にCGK含まず)
日本で10年間の教職経験 (期間にCGK含まず)
IBスクールで6年間の教職経験 (期間にCGK含まず)
ニューヨークのフォーダム大学で学士号を取得。専攻:演劇、副専攻:宗教学
University of the People (カリフォルニア州)で小中学校における高度な教育実践の教育学修士号取得
リテラシーとSTEMの二重の専門分野
資格
幼稚園から小学生までの教員免許 (アメリカ)
IB資格
Cat 1 general - University of the People
Cat 1 - Leading the Learning (PYP)
Cat 1 - Head of School - Adding a Programme (MYP)
Cat 1 - Head of School - Adding a Programme (DP)
Cat 2 - Evidencing Learning (PYP)
Cat 2 - Your Exhibition (PYP)
Cat 3 - Inquiry (PYP)
Cat 3 - Approaches to Learning
Cat 3 - Creating a Curriculum for Transdisciplinary Learning (PYP)
Cat 3 - Leaders Engage the Community (LEAD)
Cat 3 - The Role of the Librarian
Cat 3 - Agency, Action and Engagement
Graduated from the IB Diploma Program at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida
30+ years working with children in various capacities in the US and Japan before CGK
10+ years teaching in Japan before CGK
6 years teaching at an IB school before CGK
Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, NY
Major in Theater, Minor in Religious Studies
Masters of Education in Advanced Teaching Practices at the Elementary and Middle School from the University of the People, CA
Dual Specialization in Literacy and STEM
Qualifications / Certificates
Teaching License K-6 (American Board)
IB Certifications
Cat 1 general - University of the People
Cat 1 - Leading the Learning (PYP)
Cat 1 - Head of School - Adding a Programme (MYP)
Cat 1 - Head of School - Adding a Programme (DP)
Cat 2 - Evidencing Learning (PYP)
Cat 2 - Your Exhibition (PYP)
Cat 3 - Inquiry (PYP)
Cat 3 - Approaches to Learning
Cat 3 - Creating a Curriculum for Transdisciplinary Learning (PYP)
Cat 3 - Leaders Engage the Community (LEAD)
Cat 3 - The Role of the Librarian
Cat 3 - Agency, Action and Engagement
From a young age, I spent much of my time on a farm, developing a deep connection to the outdoors. Growing up in Australia, I cultivated a love for nature and an innate curiosity to explore other countries and environments. My passion for education took root early, and after graduating from university, I spent several years teaching in primary schools. However, my adventurous spirit led me to seek new experiences beyond the classroom. Having made many Japanese friends in Cairns, I was inspired by their kindness and culture, which sparked my decision to move to Japan 20 years ago. What began as a journey of discovery quickly became a lifelong love for the country, its people, and—most importantly—the opportunity to educate and learn from children every day.
Empowering young minds through inquiry and imagination
I believe education should empower children to think independently, ask questions, and make meaningful connections. By fostering inquiry-based learning, we encourage students to take ownership of their education, develop critical thinking skills, and approach challenges with creativity. More than just gaining knowledge, I want students to become open-minded, reflective, and compassionate global citizens who are prepared to navigate an ever-changing world. Above all, I hope to instill in them a lifelong love of learning and encourage them to continue to develop their imagination—because, as Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
I am so excited to be on this journey with you! I look forward to filling each day with love, laughter, and learning. Let’s explore, create, and grow together, making CGK a place of joy, discovery, and endless possibilities.