教職員

Prior to joining UWC ISAK Japan, Ai worked in the field of marketing and communication strategies for both global organizations and Japanese startups. She studied in the US for her Bachelor’s degree and in France for her Master’s degree and enjoys learning different perspectives of people from different backgrounds. That motivated her to join UWC ISAK Japan and communicate what is unique to this school.

Aya studied abroad in Oregon as a Rotary exchange student and later did a college internship program in Bellevue College in Washington, USA, where she gained a deep interest in world cultures and diversity. Prior to joining UWC ISAK Japan, she worked in education for 9 years supporting exchange students at several universities in Japan. Using these experiences, she is excited to support students for their big steps to become catalysts for positive change.

After spending nearly a decade in Tokyo managing global communications programs for some of the world’s highest profile businesses, Dean Kirkness moved to Karuizawa with his family to put down roots in the idyllic Japanese countryside. He became interested in working with UWC ISAK Japan after learning about the school’s vision and grasping its potential to be a beacon in education to Japan and the world. Dean is motivated by helping the school and its students discovery their own stories and the means with which to tell them. In his spare time, Dean dabbles in coffee roasting, sake imbibing, and Japanese woodworking, though not necessarily in that order.

Ms. Oswald came to Japan as an exchange student in her junior year at Stanford University, enjoying the experience so much that she returned after graduation and has remained here for over 20 years! Ms. Oswald worked in Tokyo as a copywriter for a few years, eventually leaving to become a freelance translator. After meeting Ms. Kobayashi while she was interviewing Stanford alumni in Japan about their views on international schools, Ms. Oswald began working for the school in 2012. Ms. Oswald considers this the best job she has ever had, citing the everyday dynamic pace and the amazing people she works with- staff, faculty and students alike!

Ms. Eastern is a seasoned HR professional who has worked in museums, retail services, and various non-profit organizations in the USA. She is proud to join the UWC ISAK Japan community as she and her family move abroad for the first time. She spent most of her childhood in New Jersey and moved to New Orleans for her college years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History with an English minor from Tulane University. Following graduation, she moved all around the US, working and exploring Chicago, Berkeley, Los Angeles, back to New Orleans, and finally landing in New York City for the past 14 years. In all of her travels within the US and internationally, it has been a lifelong dream to live and work abroad. She and her husband are most excited to eat all the delicious food, make local friends, and learn Japanese with their son. Ms. Eastern strongly believes in the UWC movement and looks forward to working with like-minded professionals in the international community.

Ms. Kobayashi, a Karuizawa native, has lived and worked all over the world, including Malaysia, Thailand, the US, Mauritius, the Bahamas, Morocco, New Caledonia, the Maldives, France and Egypt. She began working at UWC ISAK in 2014 and wishes she could have attended such a school when she was a student! Ms. Kobayashi is fluent in French, Japanese and English and in her spare time enjoys playing tennis.

Iris has spent her childhood in Belgium, Singapore, Thailand, and the Netherlands. After graduating from UWC USA, she studied in Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden, where she obtained her dual bachelor’s and dual master’s degrees in International Relations and Economic Development and Growth. Iris has been involved with UWC ISAK Summer School since 2015 and has always been passionate about empowering young adults, providing them with tools to become the truest version of themselves and be confident in their own ability to create positive change. Iris is excited to oversee the Short Programs at the school after having worked in the startup scene in Tokyo. Organizing life-changing programs for a diverse group of students fuels her with energy and confidence for a better future. Meanwhile in her free time she enjoys playing and coaching tennis, hiking, and finding little gems of cafés in all different spots around the world.

Mr. Jeon was born and raised in Korea. As a young student, he became interested in Japanese language and culture and pursued this passion while studying at Hankuk University in Korea, and later at Waseda University. Mr. Jeon is proud to be a member of the staff at UWC ISAK Japan and his goal is to make sure that the campus is clean and safe for everyone who lives and works here.

After working for an Australian company for 10 years, Ms. Hirose moved to Karuizawa to raise her three children in the countryside. While bringing up her children, she worked part time as an English teacher and translator. In 2015, Ms. Hirose began doing some translation work for UWC ISAK and became inspired how the school supported motivated students with financial difficulties. She is very happy to join the talented team and is looking forward to seeing the students growing up to be leaders who will improve the world.

From a young age, Kayo was passionate about helping those in need. She pursued her dream by studying International Relations at Tokyo Women’s Christian University. During her studies, she managed the Japan national lacrosse team, traveling extensively to the US, Canada, and Australia, while also supporting foreign national teams in Japan. Upon completing her studies, Kayo joined a bank’s international trading and foreign exchange department. Four years ago, she relocated to the serene surroundings near Karuizawa and has since been embracing the beauty of nature. Kayo joined the UWC ISAK family with enthusiasm, eager to support individuals who share her vision for a better world.

When she was in elementary school, Ms. Sato moved to the US with her family and spent two years in Colorado. From the experience of being immersed in a totally different culture, she was interested in working as a bridge between Japan and other countries. She went back to the US to attend a graduate school, and after receiving a master’s degree, she returned to Japan and worked for a private school in Tokyo as an International Programs Coordinator. She believes in the power of education, and she really enjoys working at UWC ISAK Japan with people from different countries and backgrounds.

Ms. Otake attended international schools in Hong Kong and Taiwan and graduated from university in the UK before working as a project manager in international marketing and sales in Stockholm, Sweden, where she lived for over 11 years. She then relocated to Tokyo and worked in quality management before moving with her family to Karuizawa. Ms. Otake is excited to be a part of such a diverse team at ISAK. In her free time she enjoys traveling, organizing outdoor activities, home farming, visiting art museums and attending concerts.

Ms. Ikeda worked in the Financial Industry for ten years in series of roles including IR & Corporate Communication, Executive Assistant to the CEO and Government Relations. As a diversity & inclusion specialist, she was responsible for creating a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion. Working closely with the Japanese government, she positioned a company as diversity global leader focusing on the empowerment of women. She also served as a Vice Chair of Women in Business Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Ms. Ikeda joined UWC ISAK Japan because she resonated with the school’s philosophy on diversity and she feels passionate about supporting student to become catalysts for positive change.

Before joining UWC ISAK Japan in Fall 2022, Naoyuki gained valuable experience working as an administrator for a private tutoring school and at a large bus pick-up and drop-off service company in Nagano prefecture. During his tenure, he occasionally drove buses for UWC ISAK, becoming captivated by the school’s distinctive environment and hospitality. To Naoyuki, it was a “dreamland that cannot be expressed in words,” and he aspired to be a part of this world. Now an essential member of the Facilities Team, Naoyuki focuses on ensuring student safety, managing the school’s buildings, and providing transportation. His commitment to serving students with the best possible support stems from the profound impact they have on his work.

Mr. Carter is Belgian and British but has spent most of his life abroad. He grew up in Singapore, where he attended UWCSEA for 13 years until graduating in 2011. After a brief return to the UK for university, he started working for a Japanese non-profit as they developed their leadership program for high school graduates on the African continent. After five years of working in various roles in Dakar, Senegal, he moved to Tokyo in 2020 to focus on student recruitment and admissions for the program across the continent. As a UWC Alum with several years of experience supporting young people to have a transformative impact on their communities, he is thrilled to return concretely to the movement with UWC ISAK Japan. The school’s unique approach to helping students realize their potential aligns perfectly with his goals, and he looks forward to playing his part in the school community. While he has been able to live and work in several different countries, he never lived more than a quick commute away from the center of a major city. Moving to Karuizawa represents a significant change in more ways than one! However, having spent many holidays and weekends hiking and trail running in the mountains, Karuizawa strikes him as the perfect place to take this first big step out of the city.

Ms. Koido brings an extensive background in web content design, marketing and project management to the UWC ISAK technology department. Prior to joining UWC ISAK, Ms. Koido worked for a Japanese general trading company where she spent several years focusing on digital youth culture, including both educational and entertainment content. She has lived abroad in both Canada and Britain. Ms. Koido received her Master’s degree in psychology from a UK university.

Worked in a tourism industry in 6 different countries including a role of Sales & Marketing manager in the international organization for 10 years. Spent 11 years in Indonesia, and loved the local product such as batik, basket, curving..etc then started to own an export project (business? ). All products were her original design. After the all adventures in many different cultures, she is in believe of “There is a genius in every one of us” then wrote a children’s book with this message, also translated a picture book about “ a friendship between 2 different outlook”. Ms. Matsuo joined ISAK because there are so many of she believes in, and enjoying her new adventures with all ISAK family

Ms. Kitazawa began her career in accounting before moving on to real estate as an appraisal assistant. She changed careers in 2013, becoming an interpreter at a medical device manufacturing company where she interacted with a predominantly Filipino culture that allowed her to learn much about a different language, customs and culture. She lived in London for one year to study English, and has traveled extensively throughout the U.K. Her hobbies include her cats and hiking, and in particular climbing Mt. Kurofu, which she highly recommends for the magnificent view of nearby Mt. Asama.

Yoko has a bachelor’s degree in finance from a university in the US. After working for an accounting office and real estate company in Tokyo, she moved to Karuizawa with her husband to spend the rest of here life in its beautiful environs. She enjoys supporting future changemakers and is happy to be a member of UWC ISAK Japan.

Ms. Okita studied intercultural communication at Tsuda College, before working for global companies where she committed to process transformation and project management related to organization and HR. She sympathizes deeply with the UWC ISAK mission/vision. Ms. Okita moved to Karuizawa with her family and wishes to support ISAK’s future change makers! She is looking forward to raising her child in a nature-rich environment. She enjoys violin, reading and Japanese sake when she has time.

Through working for a local radio station, FM Karuizawa, where she learned much about ISAK, Ms. Ishiwa was keen to interview founder Ms. Lin Kobayashi for her radio program. However Ms. Ishiwa was so impressed by what she learned that she sought to become involved in the project herself, and Ms. Kobayashi ended up interviewing her! Alongside her work at the radio station for the past 10 years, she has worked as a freelance interpreter, emcee and narrator. In her childhood Ms. Ishiwa lived in Australia, the US and the Republic of Panama. Her interests include attending concerts, musicals, plays and trekking.