From the Beginning
What did you do here at MST?
I was an advisor for the school from 2004 to 2006, the first couple of years of the school. I helped set up the Little People, Sunshine and Elementary programmes.
Before MST, there were two schools, Sunshine and Little People. The owners combined them and created elementary classes. The school was still so young. James and I came during the same year. It was a young tree.
James was a PE teacher. My son was there during elementary school. He loved PE but he wasn’t good at it. James was also the ASA coordinator and he convinced me to teach Japanese. It was fun.
Do any memories stand out?
Many great ones and a few interesting ones. I remember once some parents complained that their son had to clean up after himself!
What do you remember most fondly about working here?
My colleagues were very nice and I had fun working with them. Children were from different countries and were different from Japanese children. One day, a two year old snatched a shovel from a girl in the sandbox and he said: “But I need it.” Which was a very articulate way of expressing himself. I was almost convinced by him until I realised it was wrong.
What did you miss the most about living in Tokyo?
I still have a home here and I come back often, so I don't feel like I miss it.
Were there any students who stood out to you during your time here?
There are so many children that I remember. I remember my son’s friends. One was a Korean boy named Kelani and he was a nice boy. He bet he has become a very nice guy. And also [school founders] Pete and Mariko's children. My son often played with them.
What is your son doing now?
Hozma is now a Montessori teacher. I remember when he was a Sunshine student and a young British boy followed my son around. It made him so happy to guide him and take care of him. Since then I knew that he would be a kindergarten teacher. He teaches at a Saitama Montessori school. He was trained by another former MST teacher, Setsuko.
What made you decide to be a Montessori teacher?
After I finished college, my family had a kindergarten and they wanted to make it a Montessori school. I was encouraged to learn about Montessori and bring it to the school.
Since MST
What have you been doing since you left MST?
We moved to Kyushu Saga prefecture. My husband was trying to become a lawyer so he went there to train. He lived there for one year. I worked for my family school in Nagano and I became the head of school once my older sister retired.
Why do you want to become a certified adolescent guide?
Now I'm getting a certificate in adolescent Montessori, out of curiosity. It's totally different from the elementary program. The same philosophy but the children are so different from the younger planes, changing to become adults.
What’s your biggest passion these days?
Work itself is so important, says Maria Montessori. It's so true. I'm such an ordinarily lazy person, so I need work and it brings me happiness and meaning.
What are you reading these days?
Princess Toyotomi by Manabu Makime. It’s a fictional story about Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He left his family and Osakans protected them. It's funny and fun.
What do you do on the weekends?
Recently I'm always writing essays and reports. I still do classical ballet. I've been doing it for 20 years. I feel self-conscious about it since I'm in my 60s. It's good for my health and watching the younger dancers is fun.
What do you want to say to the MST community and to your former students?
Just enjoy the time you have now. it will not come back. Just enjoy the present.
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