
Our Teachers
At Sunrise, our teachers are always bright and cheerful
Our teachers at Sunrise Kids International School can't wait to meet you!
Ms. Atsumi
Ms. Maaya
Ms. Azusa
Mr. J
Ms. Tomoko
Mr. Steven
Ms. Karla
Ms. Linsey
Mr. Kyro
Ms. Yukika
Ms. Azumi
Ms. Atsumi (School Manager)
Hello. My name is Atsumi. I'm happy to be a part of Sunrise.
I have loved English since I was a child, so I went to New Zealand and the United States to study English.While living abroad, I had the pleasure of meeting people from different countries and having conversations in English. During my six years in Michigan, I studied in the childcare department of a college, became certified as a local nursery teacher and kindergarten teacher, and worked at a local kindergarten for three years.
During this time, I also experienced childbirth and child rearing, and felt the need to learn English for daily life, which was not taught in school. After returning to Japan, I worked as a homeroom teacher at a licensed nursery school from 0 to 5 years old, gaining experience in childcare. Using this experience, I would like to take good care of your child at Sunrise, trying to provide careful care in English, and to make Sunrise a warm place like home.
Nursery teacher registration: Kanagawa-067717
Ms. Maaya
Hello everyone! My name is Maaya. Nice to meet you.
I love baking cakes, watching movies, going out to new places, and of course playing with kids!
I was born and raised in Kanagawa. I have been learning English since I was 1. When I was little, I remember I was always with my mom and loved to sing English songs with her.
Being an adult, I gradually began to think that I want to enhance my English language skill more, so I enrolled at an American university, majoring Asian Studies and minoring Political Science. Studying there was so hard for me, but was one of my precious memories in my life.
At first I worked in a trading company as sales, but I decided to come to Sunrise because I thought I would like to help enhance children’s English ability, and broaden their dreams.
One of the strengths in Sunrise Kids International School is that we cooperate with parents. We communicate with them how children spend time in Sunrise, not only at the time of drop-off and pick-up but by sending messages. We also would like to listen to your voices toward Sunrise which makes our school a better place. Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Ms. Azusa
Hello!! I’m Azusa from Osaka. I enjoy traveling, Yoga and watching movies. (In particular the Ghibli and Disney movies) I’m honored to join the Sunrise family!!
Let me introduce myself. By going to foreign language university, studying abroad and volunteering, I met many people from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures. It changed my world. My point of view was widened and I learned to accept and respect “differences” of culture and uniqueness of people. Learning English enables us to expand our possibilities in many ways!! So, I decided to work in a job related to English education.
I’ll do my best to support Sunrise kids not only in English but also living aspects like toilet training, changing clothes and writing. I respect and help them grow one by one. Please feel free to ask anything:)
Nursery teacher registration: Kanagawa-902603
Mr. J
Hello everyone. My name is Junichi So, also known as Mr. J.
I was not good at English when I was a student.
But due to the necessity of speaking English in foreign countries, I was under pressure to speak English when I was on business trips.
Especially, when I was on my first business trip to Argentine for 7 months, I was the only Japanese in the office.
I recognized that English is very important for understanding other cultures,
attending meetings, going to restaurants, and shopping etc.
So, I studied English hard after my first business trip when I was 25 years old.
I will make use of my experience and knowledge for work and do my best to support the school manager to make the best environment for your kids to grow and learn English.
Ms. Tomoko
Hello, my name is Tomoko.I have lived in the United States for about 16 years while working in early childhood education at elementary schools and kindergartens.
Living abroad has opened my eyes to the wonders of Japanese culture, this is something I`d like to share with everyone.
I would like to use my experience in local early childhood education to share the joy of English and different cultures around the world with the children at Sunrise Kids International while having fun and smiling.
I would like to share more experiences with the children and their parents, CorrectionLiving abroad has opened my eyes to the wonders of Japanese culture, this is something I`d like to share with everyone.Oldwhile at the same time sharing the wonder of Japanese culture that I have felt because I have lived abroad.
Mr. Steven
Hello, everyone! I'm Mr. Steven, it's a pleasure to meet you!
I am from a small town in England called Dover. I live a very active and fun life. For starters, I work at Sunrise Kids! It's one of the most fun parts of my life. I enjoy a wide variety of sports like, running, calisthenics and football (soccer).
Here at Sunrise we learn all about the animals that inhabit the seas, all the way up to the stars in the sky, and everything in between! We also have monthly dance lessons and football (soccer) lessons, for the Fluttery Butterflies (5y/o class) to help stimulate the body as well as the mind. On top of this we’ll be learning to play the pianica (melodica,) as part of our Christmas production and Performance Day! But most of all, the Fluttery Butterflies will be leveling up as they begin to study for and take the eiken tests from level 5 and onwards!
So I look forward to taking care of your children and helping them achieve as many goals as possible.
Ms. Karla
Hello my name is Karla , I was born in the Philippines and I have graduated from the Medical University with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
I have been teaching English for 9 years in Japan and I absolutely love working with kids. I have worked with children of many ages. I love teaching and taking care of the kids all day.
I also taught English for 5 years as an Elementary /After school teacher managing 10-20 students and creating lesson plans according to student’s academic needs including both individual and group.
My hobbies are playing volleyball, singing, dancing and listening to music. I love volunteering and community participation activities. I also like gymnastics, arts and crafts.
I am very happy to be part of the Sunrise kids. I want to spend more time with them having fun, encourage the kids to dream big while learning new things and I want to take care and see them grow and become successful in the future.
Ms. Linsey
Hello! It is an honor to meet you all.
I was born in the Philippines and grew up in Uganda, Africa and the United States (Minnesota/Georgia).
My hobbies include listening to music, reading and writing, running in nature, volleyball,
soccer, soccer, photography, and kickboxing.
But I also really enjoy relaxing and cooking.
I love teaching, playing, and making children smile, as well as spending time watching over them.
I came to Japan on a scholarship from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
My major is Culture Media and Society and I have an Early Childhood Education diploma.
I have over 6 years of experience as a teacher, teaching Basic English and Business English to children and adults (ages 0-80).
I am in charge of Shiny Butterflies, a class for 4 year olds.
The children are very bright and energetic students who always make me smile.
This is a vibrant and energetic school where students are greeted with warm hugs.
The teachers are unique people with diverse backgrounds and we learn new things from each other.
My goal for Shiny Butterflies, my 4-year-old class, is to help them grow in self-confidence.
This means speaking more English, reading with confidence, and making friends.
I hope that the children will always remember how much fun they had studying with their friends at Yokohama School and with their teachers.
Mr. Kyro
Hello everyone.
My name is Kyro Potgieter. I was born and raised by my wonder parents in Cape Town, South Africa.
As a kid, I was a small town boy that enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, camping and gardening. I never considered myself to be a jetsetter. I came to Japan in 2011 on a whim to meet a pen-pal. From the moment I landed in Japan and stepped off the plane my life changed.
Japan is a joyous place to live in. Every day I learn something new. Every day I am awestruck and bedazzled. Even after living here for over 10 years, I'm still learning wonderful things about Japan every day.
I was lucky enough to live in a few places: Kita-Kyushu, Hiroshima, Yamanashi and Kanagawa. I have settled down with my wife and son in Yokohama since around 2015.
Some of my hobbies include: Fishing, photography, horology and hiking. My fondest memory as a kid is going on treasure hunts my dad planned out for me. I look forward to the day that I can plan out treasure hunts with my son when he is a little older.
I have countless life experiences to share. Working at Sunrise Kids International School allows me to do just that. By the end of the year, all the Little Caterpillars will have practiced all the basics needed for school life. Covering things like sharing, cleaning, classroom routines, and being to verbalize basic desires in English. I'll also be helping them look at the world with both eyes open. To encourage imagination and to dream big.
Let's have fun, and be the best we can be, together.
Regards
Ms. Yukika (maternity leave)
Hello! My name is Yukika. I am very thrilled to have the opportunity to teach all the kids in Sunrise!
First, please let me introduce myself. During my childhood, I lived in Detroit, Michigan for six years and went to kindergarten and elementary school and learned English. After those years, I came back to Japan.
However, I wanted to become a ”bridge” which connects Japan and other countries, so I chose to study abroad again. In university, I met lots of students with big future goals which made my days very inspiring. Also, I studied second language development for children and learned the infinite possibilities they have. This experience made my future goal to become an English teacher. After graduation, I worked as a SE and technical support; however, I have decided to start my dream career.
English will be a very important tool to communicate with people from all over the world and will give the kids lots of chances to achieve their future goals.
I hope I can help Sunrise kids to be brave and strong enough to achieve. In addition, I love to dance, so I'm excited to dance with the kids in future events! Thank you!
Nursery teacher registration: Kanagawa-099898
Ms. Azumi
Our school bus driver.