FACULTY @ Soko Gakuen, San Francisco's nonprofit Japanese language school

S. GRELLER, Instructor (1/05- ).  *photo* 
BA in English literature, Kwansai Women's College, Nagasaki, Japan; MA (2006) in teaching Japanese as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Taught Japanese at California State University, East Bay (2006-) and at the University of California, Berkeley (2006-2007).

S. HALPER, Instructor (6/89- ).  *photo*
BA in English, Shoin Women's University, Kobe, Japan; MA (1986) in language studies; and MS (2006) in computer science, San Francisco State University.

Y.  HIGASHINO,  Instructor (4/22- ).  *photo*
BA in English literature, Otsuma women's University, Tokyo, Japan; AA (2020) in Asian American Studies / Marketing at CCSF, San Francisco.  MA (2023) in Japanese pedagogy, Columbia University, New York; and MA (2024) in linguistics, San Francisco State University.  Her publications include Tips for navigating Japanese learning online, Nichibei Times (April 2021); Asahi Tanka (short poems--6/14/20, 7/5/20, and 8/16/20) in Asahi Newspapers (2020).  Certified in an International tutor training program at Columbia University.

A. KAZAMA, Instructor (4/10- ).  *photo* 
BA in sociology, Rikkyo University, Japan; second BA in linguistics, the University of Hawaii at Hilo;  MA (2011) in teaching Japanese as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Taught Japanese at San Francisco State University (2020- ).

R. KONDO, Instructor (9/07- ).  *photo* 
BA in linguistics, Shinshu University, Japan;  MEd (2006) in teaching English as a second language, State University of New York at Buffalo; and MA (2015) on teaching Japanese as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Taught Japanese at the University of California, Berkeley (summer 2008).

Y. KOSAKA, Instructor (9/13- ).  *photo*
BA in English and American literature, Kanto Gakuin University, Japan; MA (1990) in linguistics, West Virginia University;  studied doctoral courses in curriculum and instruction at West Virginia University (1990-1991). Taught English at Kanto Gakuin University, Japan (1993-2001) and Azabu University, Japan (1995-1998); taught Japanese at George Brown College, Toronto, Canada (2010); at Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto, Canada (2001-2013); and at Diablo Valley College, CA (2014- ).

M. OTA,  Instructor (9/07- ).  *photo*  
BA in language and culture, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Japan; MA (2007) in teaching English as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Certified to teach Japanese (2001), ARC Academy Japanese Language School, Osaka, Japan.  Taught Japanese at the University of San Francisco (2018-2022 ).

H. RUSTIGAN, Instructor (9/88-6/91, 1/14- ).  *photo*
BA in education, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan;  MA (1991) in pedagogical Japanese, San Francisco State University. Taught Japanese at City College of San Francisco (1989- ), at Skyline College, CA (1990-1994); at San Francisco State University (2004- ); and at the University of San Francisco (2018-2022).

T. SAKUDO, Instructor (4/07- ).  *photo*
BA in English language and literature, Kyoto Notre Dame University, Japan; MA (2007) in teaching Japanese as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Taught Japanese at Diablo Valley College, CA (2014-2015); at University of California, Berkeley ATDP Program (2007, 2008, 2011, & 2014); at Woodside Priory School, CA (2010-2019); and at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory SF, CA (2021- ).

Y. UDA,  Instructor (1/06- ).  *photo*
BA in international language and culture, University of Shizuoka, Japan; MA (2006) in teaching Japanese as a second language, San Francisco State University.  Certified (2000) for the promotion of Japanese language education, Osaka Arc Academy, Japan.  Taught Japanese at City College of San Francisco (2007-2012), and at the University of San Francisco (2007-2011).

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TEACHERS FOR CHILDREN'S CLASSES
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Soko Gakuen teachers are dedicated bilingual professionals who have master's degrees in second language teaching or language-related fields and/or many years of teaching experience. 

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Mission Statement
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

K. KOJIMOTO, exBCSF Board President  *photo* 
F. KUNZE, exBCSF Board   *photo*

K. MAREK, KQED,  *photo*
Y. SHIMAZU, Ed.D., Consultant  *photo*
Y. McCORMICK, Ed.D., (9/00--on leave--,  Board Member 2005-2023, 2024- ).  USF-fac  *photo*
A. UCHIMA, Laney & Contra Costa College-fac  *photo*
B. YOSHIKAWA, Board Chair  *photo*
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Editor: SeaMonkey/2.48

お願い　To our dear students and ex-students:
Soko Gakuen teachers make a monthly stipend that covers just their needs.  Over the last 30 years, we have made conscious efforts   to keep our tuition below comparable market rates based on Buddhist principles.  Over a decade later, it's the only top-three language school run by a nonprofit organization, and a community of passionate volunteer-minded workers. We ask only for a small donation of $10, $25, $50, (or more if you can)...   Your donation will only be used to cover teachers' bonuses (restricted contribution).   Our school has served    over a thousand people learning Japanese every year, but we run on a fraction of what other comparable schools spend.  Please, if    you can, help us support our school by giving a little more money to our teachers. Our teachers will really appreciate it. Thank you.   Your generous CHECKS, PAYABLE TO  Soko Gakuen, 1881 Pine Street,  San Francisco, CA 94109.