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Willowbrook Founder and Director - Ikuyo Maeda
Ikuyo holds a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Osaka Shoin Women's College, and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and child development from Wheelock Teacher’s College in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. After teaching at a Boston-area preschool, Ikuyo returned to her native Japan to pursue her teaching career. After working at several international schools in Tokyo, Ikuyo branched out on her own to pursue her desire for her own international preschool. Today she is actively involved in all aspects of the school.
Ikuyo (left) with former assistant director
Assistant Director -- Ann Nishigaya
Ann is Japanese American and was raised in Alaska. After graduating from the University of Washington, Ann moved to Japan and lived in Tokyo for five years. She met her husband while in Japan, and moved with him to London in 1997. She worked for a school in London for nine years, and was the director of the school for the last two years. Ann moved back to Japan in the summer of 2006 and joined Willowbrook soon afterwards. She was the lead teacher in Yuki Class in 2007-2008.
Admissions Coordinator -- Hiromi Ishikawa
Accountant -- Kimiko Okada
Teaching Staff
- Lead teachers and assistant teachers are internationally credentialled from their home countries (eg. Australia, US, UK, etc.) Teachers are variously certified in early childhood education, from pre-k to early elementary.
The staff is as diverse as the student population. Their home countries are USA, Japan, England, Scotland, India, Australia, the Philippines and New Zealand.
Teacher's Aides/Substitutes
Additionally, Willowbrook employs classroom aides who are eager to begin a career in early childhood education. Aides are not required to hold teaching degrees, but serve as aides to the teachers, helping with the classroom routines. Aides are required to attend staff training workshops and are encouraged to participate in continuing education opportunities.
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