As a PhD student in East Asian Studies at the University of Arizona, I specialize in Japanese language, religions, history, and literature, particularly medieval Buddhist texts. With over 5 years of experience living and working in Japan and 2 years serving as an adjunct instructor of Japanese at universities in the U.S., I have developed a student-centered approach for language learning that incorporates auditory, visual, reading, writing, and kinesthetic methods. My greatest joy in teaching comes from witnessing those transformative "Ah ha!" moments when students make connections and truly understand the language. I am passionate about fostering a love for learning Japanese, creating an engaging and supportive environment where students can thrive.

My profile pic is from graduation day for my students at Sano Nihon University. Instructors were given the option to wear a lovely hakama!