Japanese Track Faculty

‘09-’10 Teacher Line-up

Japanese Track Teacher
CHISA TERANO CHILGREN
Born in Nara, Japan
Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts at Tezukayama University, Japan.
Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction at Portland State University
Teaching since 2000; teaching at TIS since 2005

TIS provides students with an excellent learning environment for foreign language development and accepting other cultures by being immersed in the school all day long. Students begin as young as 3-year-old. I believe that an immersion school like TIS helps young individuals grow with global thinking. Furthermore, the class size in each grade also allows teachers to have close relationship with each student, and makes it possible for them to support each student’s unique individuality. My favorite moments in class are to see students achieving their goals, showing their art work and using their newly learned vocabulary skills in Japanese sentences proudly. Most importantly, sharing great time with students makes me very happy and stimulates my career as an educator.

Japanese Track Teacher
HIDEKO FORZLEY
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan.
Bachelor’s Degree in Japanese Literature at Tokyo Kasei Gakuen
Teaching since 1998; teaching at TIS 1998 to 2008 and since 2009

I like to have a great time with my students and actually the students teach me something new every day. That is the best thing about teaching for me. Everyone at TIS focuses on the students and on making this a good place for the students to learn. Thank you to the TIS community for everything – I really love teaching here!

Japanese Track Teacher
AKIKO GRIMM
Born in Osaka, Japan; raised in Kyoto, Japan
Bachelor’s Degree from Portland State University in Speech, Communication and Teaching English as a Second Language
Teaching since 1988; teaching at TIS since 1996

It has been a wonderful experience to teach at the International School where I can witness young learners absorb new culture and language just like a sponge! My goal is to help students to discover the joy of learning and become active and proactive learners. I believe that children learn best when they are given an opportunity to explore answers through their own five senses. I do my best to foster a fun and stimulating environment that nurtures children’s creativity and curiosity.
It is my pleasure to be a part of young learner’s life and help them to enrich their world through language and culture from my native country.

Japanese Track 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
MASAMI MARUKI
Born in Kanagawa, Japan. Raised in Peru, Brazil, Japan, and Singapore.
Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Services at University of Connecticut
Master’s Degree in Education at Japan Women’s University
Teaching since 2006; teaching at TIS since 2006

I am proud to be a member of the TIS community, where cultural interactions are always active and fresh. Having lived in different countries in my childhood, I am aware of the great stimulation that different cultures and languages can give in the early stages of life.Now as a teacher, I am more than thrilled to experience this path of engaging education with my students and their families. By working together with my students, I hope to see the world from their points of view, to grow, and to achieve the best results.

Japanese Track 4th/5th Grade Teacher
TAKANORI “TAKA” FUJII
Born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan.
Bachelor’s Degree from Soka University in Economics, followed by a teaching license in 1996.
Teaching since 1996; teaching at TIS since 2009

I taught 1st to 6th grade as a certified Elementary School teacher for ten years in Hokkaido, Japan. Several of my college colleagues told me to “treasure every encounter, for it will never happen again” and this has become my personal motto. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced many of these precious encounters with my students and look forward to working with the parents and staff of TIS to support your child’s educational growth.

Japanese Track Assistant Teacher
JUNKO O’NEILL
Born & raised in Shiga, Japan
Bachelor’s Degree in English from Kyoto Sangyo University
Teaching since 1999; teaching at TIS since 2006

I really enjoy watching the children make progress every day. One day they can’t do somthing, and the next day they can. It’s a very exciting moment! I am very excited to work with the culturally diverse group of students, parents and staff here at The International School.