The Teacher at Every Level

As we say goodbye to Ginkgo Teacher Kei Shirakawa, we reflect on the incredible journey she has had at MST—spanning every level from Early Childhood to Middle School. Since joining MST in 2018, Kei has worn many hats, always bringing a passion for the Montessori ethos to everything she does.

A Teacher at Every Level

Kei began as an Early Childhood Support Teacher and Japanese teacher in Eucalyptus, and by 2019 she had transitioned to supporting Elementary classrooms as well. In 2020, she became the founding teacher of the Ginkgo classroom, where she remained for five years, nurturing students with her care and knowledge.

When asked about her favorite level, Kei said, “I love Lower Elementary. That’s when children begin to build their reasoning minds and explore the world in new, curious ways. What I love to teach aligns perfectly with what they love to discover.” It’s clear that her passion and students’ explorations were always in sync.

Born in Tokyo and raised in Kanagawa, Kei’s childhood was filled with games like Uno—where she and her cousins invented chaotic rules—and stacks of books about wild animals. She was never much of a toy lover; instead, she was a proud bookworm. Her favorite place in Tokyo? The Ueno Natural History Museum, where she still marvels at the giant ammonite fossil and the taxonomy floor map of life on Earth.

Navigating the Pandemic

Setting up the Ginkgo classroom during the COVID lockdown was no small feat. With stores closed and materials hard to find, Kei recalls the challenge of trying to furnish and prepare the environment without being able to see shelves or baskets in person. Despite the difficulties, she made it work—and made it beautiful.

Over the years, Kei taught everything from EAL and Japanese in Eucalyptus, to Elementary science, to online lessons during the pandemic. She even recorded lessons for the entire Elementary program during the year of remote learning. “It was a crazy time,” she remembers. “With everyone masked, I didn’t know what the children really looked like for a year and a half.”

The Next Level

She now goes on to co-teach the inaugural class at Akiruno Montessori School with Willow Teacher Yukimasa, continuing her Montessori journey in a new environment.

Of what she will be missing the most about MST, Kei said, “The kids can be a lot, but I love them.” That blend of honesty and heart sums her up perfectly. Her new school is fortunate to receive that passion for education in her next teaching journey.

–Wind Edward Kim