Makiko Bortolato graduated from Tokyo Gakugei University with a bachelors degree in elementary education and middle/high school education. During her study to become a teacher, she was interested in Waldorf Education and went to Germany for one year. She studied at Paedagogischen Hoch Schule Freiburg. She taught at public elementary schools in Tokyo for six years before going back to Europe. This time, she received a Rotary Club Scholarship and studied at Waldorf teacher training school in Switzerland for a year. After arriving in the US, Makiko also taught at ENA and tutored Japanese students. With her French husband, she is raising boy and girl twins. Recently, she enjoys performing puppet shows with her friends in Japanese and English. Makiko Sensei is a teacher in the Japanese program.

Mrs. Costa graduated from West Valley College with a degree in Early Childhood Development. She also earned her Montessori certification and has been teaching for thirteen years. Before joining Springbridge, Megan taught English at a French international school. She also worked with young children from preschool to kindergarten at local Montessori schools. Megan has also spent time running an after-school program for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Teaching is Megan's true passion, and she is always looking for new ways to enhance her teaching methods. Her philosophy of teaching emphasizes that children thrive when their creativity and independence are nurtured. Originally from the Bay Area, Megan spends her free time painting, reading, running, and enjoying quality time with her family.

Ivy Chu graduated from National Changhua University of Education with a bachelors degree in education and has a teaching credential issued by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. She had been teaching high school students in Taipei City for more than 14 years and earned a Masters Degree in business administration while she was teaching. After coming to the U.S., she started teaching Mandarin Chinese. While volunteering at her daughter’s preschool, she realized how fulfilling working with that age group was. She then studied Early Childhood Education and taught preschool. She is trained and experienced from preschool to high school. Her philosophy of education emphasizes independence, freedom with boundaries and respect for free choices. In her free time, Ivy enjoys reading, baking and hiking. Chu Lao Shi is a teacher in the Mandarin program.

Michelle Estia earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from San Jose State University. She has a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and has taught elementary students for 9 years in private schools in the bay area. Along with teaching, Michelle also does private tutoring for students in English, reading, and writing. In her free time she enjoys hiking, yoga, and dancing salsa. Miss Michelle is a teacher in the English program.

Kazuko Gold graduated from Kobe Tokiwa College, Chico State University and DeAnza College with degrees in early childhood education and child psychology. She joined the California Subject Matter Project and studied teaching visual arts, literacy and drawing skills aligned with the California K-8 Visual Arts content Standard and Common Core literacy in Technical subjects while She worked at French Gulch-Whiskeytown Elementary School. She brings a wealth of experience working with children of all ages and abilities recently having worked in an inclusion preschool. This has allowed her to adapt her technique to reach every child under her care. Kazuko’s teaching style includes blending dance, music theatre and visual arts in her lessons. Kazuko has worked as a Head Kindergarten Teacher at the Kiyose Yurikago Kindergarten in Tokyo while holding additional responsibilities including curriculum development and staff training and development. She holds a California Certificate of Paraprofessional Teaching, and Teaching Credentials in Japan and is a proud mom of three children! Kazuko Sensei is a teacher in the Japanese program.

Etsuko Katchi graduated from Kinjo Gakuin Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree in English in addition to a teaching credential for English. She studied English at Spring International language Center for over a year in University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She started teaching at Juku school for 3-9th graders in Hamamatsu, Japan. Then she worked as an English teacher at junior high schools for 5 years. In the U.S., she started working as an assistant program coordinator at Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego. There she taught Japanese culture to school-aged children. She then worked as a Japanese teacher at Kokugo Gakuen in San Diego for 3 years. She also taught Japanese to 3 -10 years old children as a tutor in Southern California. Etsuko Sensei enjoys spending time with her two boys and husband in her free time. Etsuko Sensei is a teacher in the Japanese program.

Narumi Sensei graduated from Soai University with an early childhood education teaching credential as well as a bachelor degree in child psychology. She also obtained kindergarten and elementary teaching credentials. Narumi worked at Seiiku nursery school for two years in Japan. She then studied English in London followed by a cultural exchange program in Sweden during which she interned at a Swedish elementary school sharing Japanese culture, particularly the Tea Ceremony and Origami for lower elementary students. When Narumi is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, dancing, playing sports, and going to the gym to keep fit in my free time.

Hiromi Knox graduated from San Jose State University, cum laude, with a degree in education concentrating in child and adolescent development. She also earned a liberal arts degree from De Anza College. Hiromi Senseii began her career at Early Horizons where she worked with toddlers and prekindergarten children teaching reading and math. While at Okasan and Me, Hiromi Senseii honed her bilingual teaching skills, helping children to communicate in both English and Japanese. Her warm and patient approach encourages the children to express themselves and gain confidence. Hiromi Senseii’s art background brings a creative flair to her work. Hiromi Senseii worked with both gifted and talented students and special education students while at Graystone Elementary School, teaching math and reading. Hiromi Senseii enjoys relaxing with her three daughters and husband in her spare time. Hiromi Sensei is a teacher in the Japanese program.

Sarah Lao graduated from Jiangmen childhood education normal school and Central Radio and TV University Major Primary Education in China. She had been teaching preschool in Guang Dong China for six years. After coming to the U.S. she started teaching Mandarin Chinese in Montessori environment School for about 12 years. Her Montessori diplomas include – Assistants to Infancy MISD Training Center (Montessori Institute of San Diego) and Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Credential Course (AMS) Montessori Teacher Education Center (Sunnyvale). She is a mother of two children. In her free time, she likes to go hiking and spend time with her family. Lao Lao Shi is a teacher in the Mandarin program.

Janice Lee graduated from National Hsin Chu University of Education with a bachelors degree in Music Education. She has taught elementary students for more than 18 years both in Taipei City and the Bay Area. Janice created and taught curriculum and her service earned the Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Teaching from the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. Janice is a friendly, passionate and disciplined teacher and enjoys working with students from multiple backgrounds and discussing various topics. As a teacher, Janice has the mission is to help students to become curious and passionate, lifelong learners in Mandarin. She hopes students will find as much joy in this journey of exploration as she does. Outside of work, Janice enjoys music, traveling, and reading books. She also likes to spend free time with her family, including two boys who keep her busy. She is also an accomplished classical piano teacher with experience preparing students in CM and ABRSM Exams. Lee Lao Shi is an administrator and teacher in the Mandarin program.

Daniel Martin is a New York-based partner at an international law firm, where his practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions throughout the US. Before attending law school at the University of Michigan, he traveled widely. After graduating from college, he taught English as a Second Language in Tokyo, Japan and later in Chengdu, PRC. Dan is an adviser to the school.

Christopher Nikoloff graduated from Boston University with a degree in philosophy and a masters degree in education. He later earned an MBA from Santa Clara University. Chris has administered at several schools including Head of School at Harker and is currently Headmaster at The American School in Switzerland. Chris is an adviser to the school.

David Pardue graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelors degree in Computer Science and minors in both math and business. Shortly after graduating he started an online company with his close friend. David has lived in the San Jose area his entire life, and has taught math, science, and computer programming professionally for the past 13 years. Mr. Pardue is a teacher in the English program.

Robert Regan graduated from Boston University cum laude with a masters degree in education and a Division One ice hockey, national semi-finalist. Robert worked in BU’s pilot education program, served on the Board of Trustees at Ecole Bilingue, developed the Returnee curriculum at Shibuya Jr. and Sr. High School, helped establish Tokyo International School, was the founding principal of The Harker English Language Institute and founded Lessons In English. Rob is cofounder and a teacher in the English program.

Tomoko Regan graduated from Waseda University with a degree in English and a teaching credential for English. She taught at Shibuya Makuhari High School in Singapore and Shibuya Jr. and Sr. High School in Tokyo, where she led international field trips to England. She was a volunteer interpreter for The Tamagawa School guest families at The Harker School. She has traveled much of the world and is mother to three, bilingual, bicultural children. Tomoko Sensei is cofounder and a teacher in the Japanese program.

Mrs. Saggio graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in English and a minor in theater as well as a Masters in Education from Grand Canyon University. She holds a Standard Professional Elementary K-8 teaching certification with Structured English Immersion and reading endorsements in the state of Arizona as well as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in California. Vanessa has 18 years experience in the field of education including 6 years of teaching in Japan and 2 years in South Korea. She has a passion for helping students learn to read and is currently pursuing a 2nd masters degree in reading. Along with teaching, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, reading science fiction novels, photography, and studying Japanese.

Yasushi Sato graduated from Juntendo University. He is a judo expert of the fifth dan and a coach to Olympic judo wrestlers. He taught at Egodgawa Toride High School and is a senior administrator at Shibuya Jr. and Sr. High School. Satoh Sensei is an educational consultant for curriculum and administration in the Japanese program and partner for a future school in Tokyo.

Ting Lao Shi graduated from Shih Chien University in Taiwan and worked at several international franchises, including being the PR manager of Toys R Us in Taiwan before moving to the Bay Area. She taught Mandarin Art Classes at Meyerholz School for CLIP (Cupertino Language Immersion Program) for 4 years and then led the Mandarin after school program for elementary to middle school students at Genius Academy in San Jose for more than 8 years. She has also provided 1-on-1 Mandarin tutoring for several years for students of all ages and levels of proficiency. She volunteered at local Christian churches in a variety of programs for preschoolers and young children, and decided to take early childhood development courses at Foothill College to enrich her expertise in children’s education. As a teacher, Angela is consistently adaptive to circumstances, capable of being flexible and making adjustments based on students’ aptitude to optimize their learning. She emphasizes communication with parents to explore the best goals she can set up for each student. Outside of the classroom, Angela enjoys traveling with her family (especially to Japan), cooking and enjoying new dishes from a variety of cuisines. Ting Lao Shi is currently a teacher in the Mandarin program.

Yasuko Tsuruike started playing basketball when she was a middle school student. This led her to a basketball career at Hitachi, Ltd – Totsuka, one of the top Women’s Japan Basketball League teams in Japan. After she retired from her basketball, she continued to work at Hitachi, Ltd. After, she decided to go to San Diego and learn a different culture and English for 10 months. After returning to Japan, she taught computer classes from 1st to 6th grade students as a part-time instructor in Osaka which she found very interesting. She decided to earn a teaching credential at Bukyo University, Kyoto Japan. Yasuko worked as a full-time teacher in Osaka Prefecture public elementary school appointed by Osaka Board of Education in Japan for 10 years. She is now so delighted to be at Springbridge International School where all of our students learn Japanese education and culture. With her professional experience, she is hoping to encourage all of her students to have a variety of expression, thought and application through learning and playing with his or her own smile. Yasuko Sensei is an administrator and teacher in the Japanese program.

Brian Whiteley earned his B.A. in History from San Jose State University and holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. He has taught elementary and middle school students at other bay area private schools during the last 14 years. In addition to his classroom teaching, Brian is a USPTA-certified tennis pro who has taught students of all ages and skill levels. Brian is also a skilled musician and has offered private music lessons to children and adults over the past two decades. He is proficient in musical styles ranging from classical and flamenco to jazz and rock, and plays instruments as diverse as the piano, guitar, bass, violin, viola, cello, mandolin, ukulele, drums, clarinet and trumpet, and alto saxophone. Brian is a teacher in the English program.