About Us
A Community is a Living Thing
Naomi
Co-founder /Head of School
Naomi Kondo is a licensed kindergarten and elementary school teacher with 13 years of experience and a master’s degree in intercultural communication and leadership in primary education. She is also a registered Japanese nursery nurse (hoikushi). Naomi learned English as an intern in Oregon, US, and has been a member of the Ryozan Park community since 2012. She enjoys making beaded jewelry.
Rachel
Co-Founder/ Direcetor
Rachel is co-owner of Ryozan Park and co-founder of Ryozan Park Preschool. She has a degree in literature and master’s degrees in Japanese gender studies and creative writing. Originally from Scotland, Rachel also works as a voice artist and in her spare time loves reading and writing poetry, playing music and walking in the woods with her two young children. Rachel is a former NHK World TV weathercaster.
Joanne
Main guide
Joanne is a dedicated Montessori teacher with experience and a passion for early childhood education. She holds a diploma in 3-6 years of primary education from the Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) as well as a triple major bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, and Psychology.
Via
Teacher
Via, from the Philippines, believes it’s important to teach children to have open hearts and minds. She says she has found her calling as an international preschool teacher. She loves teaching phonics and watching the children grow with love and understanding.
Via likes following painting tutorials and making Halloween costumes such as fairies and unicorns to entertain the children. She is also a fan of anime, pastries, chocolate, sushi, ramen and especially kids’ smiling faces!
Janet
Teacher
A certified teacher from the Philippines & have been passionate about teaching for many years. Looking forward to helping students to develop their reading and language skills in a fun way.
Has five years of experience in an international school in Tokyo, Japan she has taught Phonics and English grammar classes, and worked as a private English tutor. She loves to play guitar and visit nature parks in her free time.
Asako
Hoikushi
Asako has worked as a kindergarten teacher at a kodomo-en for 10 years. She also teaches art and culture at a school that trains nursery teachers. Asako loves seeing the children’s faces glow when they are all happily playing.
Yuka
Hoikushi
Yuka is a licensed nursery nurse (hoikushi) with almost 15 years of combined Japanese, international preschool and kindergarten experience. She loves planning and making crafts as well as cookie decorating.
Lorelei
Support Teacher
Lorelei, from the Philippines, loved reading from an early age which led her to study literature at university and join a theatre group while she was there. After graduation, she worked as a civil servant, a researcher, an assistant magazine editor in a magazine and a lecturer before deciding to undertake the challenge of teaching kids. She particularly loves to foster their love for reading through storytelling, evoking emotions by using various tones and voices. She continues her love of learning through workshops and seminars and in her free time, enjoys arts & crafts. She has been teaching in Japan for 6 years and is engaged in ongoing Montessori training.
Adelina
Support Teacher
Adelina has 17 years of experience as a nanny and 10 years of experience supporting teachers in a school for children with special needs. Miss Adelina loves working with young kids and they always respond well to her warmth and kindness. She can send any child to sleep with her gentle touch. Adelina has two grown children of her own and two grandchildren in the Philippines.
She loves cooking Filipino food in large quantities and getting in relaxing time at home.
Alyzza
Support Teacher
Alyzza, from the Philippines, with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, found her best joy in working with little children,, helping to enrich and nourish their learning environment. She has proven her patience and love among kids with her five years of experience working at an international school in Tokyo.
She loves to travel and visit museums during her spare time. She also loves her family the most, they love to play UNO cards together.
Yumi
Assistant Director / Japanese Curriculum Manager
Yumi has 13 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and is also a registered kindergarten teacher. She interned at Australian elementary and junior high schools and also spent some time living abroad. She assists with the management of the school and creates a Japanese education curriculum for Ryozan Park Preschool. She has two children and enjoys camping and playing the piano.
Junko
Accountant
Junko has a degree in accounting and spent time in graduate studies in the United States. Since returning to Japan, she has worked in management positions for several private companies. During high school, Junko competed at the national level in gymnastics. These days, she enjoys oil painting and yoga and travelling with her preschool-aged son.
Join the Team
Do you want a job that encourages diversity and work-life balance, where you can meet new people in a village-like environment, supporting the needs of individuals, where you can have your voice heard be an integral part of a small team? Check below for opportunities or email to let us know how your expertise could enhance our community.