As a licensed and TESOL-certified educator with over 13 years of diverse teaching experience in Kumamoto, Japan, I am passionate about fostering a love for the English language in students of all ages. My journey began at an international kindergarten, where I developed an innovative phonics system that significantly enhanced early reading skills. I later founded my own school, where I employed experiential learning techniques to engage elementary and middle school students through creative lessons in science, art, and cooking, alongside traditional English instruction. My teaching philosophy centers on a communicative approach, allowing students to express themselves freely while adapting lessons to their individual needs. I have also taught at a high school, where I guided students through English grammar, composition, and creative writing, and improved average test scores over five consecutive years while doing it! I'm also a children's book author and translator for TV and print. I'm excited to take on new learners and help them find the joy in language studies!