Meet Our Teachers
About Our Teachers
All of our instructors at Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu are certified teachers or have extensive experience in education. Each of them brings a unique background from both Japan and the United States to help build a bright future for your child.
Kyoko Miura
Instructor
Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, majoring in Announcements and Broadcasting. After completing specialized training in Japanese language education, she has devoted herself to teaching correct and beautiful Japanese. She has taught students from elementary to high school at Japanese supplementary schools and cram schools in Los Angeles. Her lessons are easy to understand and engaging, and she works closely with each student to unlock their potential, share the beauty of the language, and cultivate the joy of learning.
Eishi Ikeda
Instructor
Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics from the same university. Later obtained a second Master’s in Japanese Language and Pedagogy from the University of Oregon. With over 15 years of experience teaching Japanese at universities in Oregon and California, he is currently pursuing a PhD in Japanese Linguistics at the University of Hawaii. Since moving to the U.S. in the 1990s, he has remained passionate about language education and is committed to helping children in the U.S. develop Japanese language skills that enable them to communicate across cultures.
Naomi Hayashi
Instructor
Holds a junior high school teaching license. While in New York, she discovered her passion for early childhood education and has worked with children of various ages and backgrounds at cram schools and Japanese weekend schools. Since relocating to Hawaii in 2020, she has been striving to share the charm of the Japanese language and culture with local children through Kodomo Gakushu Kyoshitsu. Her classes incorporate origami, crafts, and music to deepen students’ understanding of Japanese history and culture in a fun and engaging way.
Tomoko Sekiguchi
Instructor
Graduated from Chuo University with a degree in Literature and holds a certified teaching license for junior and senior high school.
“I love those sparkling moments when children say ‘I did it!’ or ‘I get it now!’”
Her own parenting and experiences with the school system in Tokyo and Hong Kong taught her the importance of academic support. She aims to help children build a strong foundation in communication skills, including Japanese culture and customs, to prepare them for future academic and professional opportunities in a globalized world.
Sugiko Tomori
Instructor
Graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of the Ryukyus. Holds multiple teaching licenses: science (middle & high school), elementary education, and a Hawaii State teaching license (math, special education, science, and Japanese). In Japan, she taught science, and after completing Hawaii’s teacher training program, she now teaches math at a public high school.
She believes math is not just about calculation, but about developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. She encourages students to learn from mistakes and helps them build confidence and real-life problem-solving abilities through engaging lessons.
Kana Mishima
Office Manager・Instructor
Born in Japan, educated in the Japanese system through junior high, and later moved alone to Canada for high school. Graduated from the University of Hawaii in 2025 with a degree in Biology and is currently preparing for medical school.
She has worked as a local tutor every year while in Japan and understands the challenges of navigating two different education systems. She hopes to support each student in pursuing their dreams by sharing her personal experiences and knowledge.
Message from the Director
Hello and welcome to our website.
At our school, we believe that “Every child is a genius.” Our goal is to help each child unlock their full potential.
By learning subjects such as Japanese and math in Japanese, students not only develop academic skills, but also grow in cultural understanding and global awareness through lessons on Japanese history, etiquette, and customs.
In today’s diverse world, the ability to understand and respect different values is more important than ever. We hope to empower children to embrace their identities and grow into confident, compassionate, and globally-minded individuals.
We appreciate your continued support and understanding.
Keiko Okazaki
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