children’s
WORLD
Megumi has over 20 years of experience in the ECE field in both Canada and Japan. she values her learning and experiences with children and having a good time. She also hopes to share in the joy of the children’s growth together with their parents.
Megumi likes hiking, easy DIY, collecting children’s books, natural dyeing, tea ceremony and driving.
Mitsuru has been working at Children’s World for last 23 years with pride and joy. She has been inspired by children’s imaginations since she began teaching in Japan. She values each child’s sense of creativity and unique abilities.
Mitsuru loves to garden and watch medical dramas. She also loved to read medical stories from the point of the perspective of the doctor.
Natalie has been working with children since 2019 and started working at Children’s World in the summer of 2020. She is a certified Early Childhood Educator and Special Needs Educator. Before pursuing her career in child care, she worked in a range of different industries which helped build upon her interpersonal skills, workflow, creativity, and teamwork skills. She believes every child is unique and it’s important to learn their individual needs.
Natalie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include watching movies, reading, and crocheting.
Akiko has experience in family drop-in and child minding within family centres and neighbourhood houses, including strong start for 2 years, ready, set, learn, and a mother goose program. She has been working at Children’s World for 10 years and am currently taking the ECE certificate course. By going back to school, she’s learning useful, current methods and theories to apply to her real-life work. Akiko loves to support children’s learning and development.
She likes to observe different kinds of gems, minerals, and stones.
Miyuki tries to provide childcare that allows children to have fun and enjoy in their activities without worries, improve their self-esteem and consideration for others.
Miyuki likes to bake, garden, and watch sports.
Mika worked as a kindergarten teacher in Japan for 7 years. She would like to use the experience I gained there while enjoying time spent with children while incorporating Japanese culture.
Mika likes to do her nails, explore new cafes, and eat good food.
Early Childhood EducatorOn Leave
Ryoko has 10 years of childcare experience as an ECE in Japan, Bolivia, and Spain. She joined Children’s World in March 2022 and has since learned a lot from both the children and her colleagues. She aims to be an educator who empathizes with the children, listens to the children’s voices, and helps them enjoy and relax while at Children’s World.
Ryoko likes playing musical instruments, baking, and learning English and Spanish.
Early Childhood EducatorOn Leave
Rika has worked as a childcare teacher in Japan for 10 years. Using her experience and knowledge, she strives to help children enjoy their time in a relaxed and fun environment while valuing each child’s individuality.
Rika loves travelling and watching movies.
Miyuki has a Junior and high school teacher’s license. She started Japanese classical dance at the age of five and has performed as accredited master. She would like her students to learn the Japanese language and culture as well as etiquette – she tries to include those elements into her classes so that students can experience them while having fun.
Miyuki has an 8th Dan in hard brush and plays Koto. She has a loud voice. Before the pandemic, she used to do hot yoga 5 times a week at yoga studio but now she enjoys it at home every day.
JAPANESE
LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Principal
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Kiyoko contributes to VJLS through her many years of experience in teaching Japanese to learners of all ages in Japan, the U.S., France, and Canada. She excels in clear grammatical analysis and phonetic instruction. Former principal of VJLS. Holder of a Japanese language teaching certification. Certified instructor by the Japan Vocal Reading Association. Dyslexia assessor.
In her free time, Kiyoko enjoys dancing and learning Chinese.
Rino has previously worked in Japan as an automobile salesperson and a recruitment officer for three years. She is a licensed secondary school teacher, and is currently studying Japanese Language Education. She values the learning experiences of her students; always striving to make learning fun and create an enjoyable classroom environment.
Rino practices kickboxing as a hobby.
Japanese Teacher
Yuka Hoshi holds a Japanese elementary school teaching license and has experience teaching in Japan. She is currently involved in education in Canada, aiming to create international learning environments that respect each child’s individuality while sharing Japanese culture and values.
Her hobbies include yoga and visiting cafés. She played volleyball through university and continues to enjoy playing on grass, beach, and indoor courts in Canada on weekends.
Japanese Teacher
Chinatsu holds a teaching license for junior high school. She has experience working as a sales administrative assistant in Japan. After moving to Vancouver, she volunteered with organizations that support school communities. She is committed to creating engaging classes that students will look forward to attending and enjoy. Chinatsu is also eager to learn from the senior teachers at VJLS.
Chinatsu enjoys reading books and traveling. She is a big fan of Anne of Green Gables and hopes to visit Prince Edward Island in Eastern Canada, where the story is set.
Japanese Teacher
Toki worked in Japan for four years as an English tutor for high school students and as an education assistant at an elementary school before moving to Canada in 2018 to pursue a Master of Education at UBC. She is passionate about creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences for all learners. She is currently continuing her studies in Early Childhood Education.
Toki enjoys hiking, browsing local thrift shops, and oil painting—a relaxing and creative hobby she has cherished since childhood.
Japanese Teacher
Arisa holds junior and senior high school teaching licenses and previously worked as a financial counter clerk in Japan for six years.
She valus providing personalized learning support for each student and strives to apply the knowledge and skills gained from experienced colleagues to her teaching. In her free time, she enjoys watching dramas and traveling.
Japanese Teacher
Yoko worked for 50 years in Japan as a university faculty member at a teacher training institution for childcare workers, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers. Over the years, she has contributed to early childhood education in various roles, including as the principal of a university-affiliated kindergarten and as a lecturer for teacher license renewal courses. Believing strongly in the importance of education for children, she was also involved in building elementary schools in Myanmar through an NGO.
She holds a teaching license for junior high and high school education.
Yoko enjoys traveling, sewing, exploring different cuisines, attending concerts, and watching Rakugo performances. She is currently juggling the care of her three grandchildren.
Japanese Teacher
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Keigo aims to create a welcoming classroom environment so that students can enjoy learning and have a great experience.
He is a big fan of Japanese samurai-era history. His favourite samurai is Sanada Masayuki from his home prefecture Nagano. He also likes comedy.
Hazuki had worked as a teacher in an elementary school for four years after studying special education at a Japanese University of Education. She values personalized education for each student, providing an environment where everyone can have meaningful experiences through group activities.
Hazuki likes playing volleyball, watching anime, and enjoying seasonal cooking and events.
Licensed to teach junior high and high school, Naoko has 12 years experience planning and editing magazines in Japan and has been working for a Japanese newspaper company in Canada for many years. It’s been 20 years since she started teaching Japanese for all ages from children to adult at VJLS.
In her free time, she is into collecting general education information. She likes watching figure skating and cooking for people. She is interested in writing tanka, haiku, and poetry. She has a 5th Dan in calligraphy and belongs to a chorus group.
Akira studied Plant Biology at UBC. He hopes that he can help students feel more welcome in the classroom. He has played the trombone for 12 years and plays music in a marching band. He also sang in an a cappella group at UBC for 4 years. Akira’s favourite food is bánh mì. He enjoys playing board games and reading books about history in his spare time.
Hayato has many years of experience teaching Japanese to adults. His goal is to make classes understandable and enjoyable for all learners.
He likes cooking, yoga and listening to music. Hayato especially enjoys Showa era songs and is also interested in history.
Ayumi is a certified kindergarten and daycare teacher, and has been working with children for 20 years in Japan, U.S., and Canada. She aims to provide enriching classes by incorporating a lot of traditional Japanese culture.
Ayumi likes swimming and baking sweets. She also likes making crafts and thinking ctaft ideas for each of the four seasons.
Japanese Teacher
Saki first discovered her passion for cultural exchange during her student years, when she stayed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. After gaining work experience in Japan, she moved to Canada, where she volunteered as a classroom assistant at VJLS while completing a Japanese language teacher training course. She aims to create classes where students can enjoy learning and have a truly rewarding experience.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, taking walks, and traveling.
Japanese Teacher
Junko draws on her experience in the Japanese community and as a study-abroad agent to teach Japanese language and culture in an engaging, practical way. She believes that “language has the power to expand your world” and tailors lessons to each learner’s goals. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and reading.
MANAGEMENT
STAFF
Luke joined VJLS-JH in June of 2018. As Facilities Manager, he is responsible for building related maintenance and projects, rentals and health & safety concerns.
Luke plays badminton regularly on weekday evenings. He enjoys playing board games with friends on weekends and during the holidays. He’s not a big fan of outdoor activities, but would also go hiking in Summer when it’s nice out.
Keiko has been working in the Accounting Field since 2020. She is very happy to help people who are interested in Japan and Japanese culture and to support the Vancouver Downtown Eastside community.
On her days off, she spends time relaxing on the beach and hanging out with her family and friends.
Kazuko has eight years of experience working in the accounting department of a construction company in Japan. Since December 2023, she has been working as an accounting staff member at VJLS, responsible for handling payments.
Her favorite things are coffee, chocolate, and cats. On her days off, she enjoys knitting and sewing.
Yoshi came from Japan in 1996. His twin sons attended VJLS-JH for many years, beginning with the toddler program and ending with one son’s graduation from VJLS Grade 12 in 2023.
He served as a member of the VJLS-JH board of directors from March 2021 to June 2023 and was assigned to become General Manager.
Before working at the school, he was an organic market gardener, incorporating Japanese vegetable varieties. Prior to farming, he worked for several Vancouver firms as a structural engineering technician. He looks forward to returning to farming life someday.
