About SMIS

Staff

James Grimsby
UK
Deputy Head

This is my sixth year working at St. Michael’s International School and living in the wonderful city of Kobe. I have had the pleasure of teaching Year 1 and Year 3 at the school, but this year I will be working in the role of Deputy Head. However, I am pleased to say I will also have plenty of opportunity to teach many of St. Michael’s children as I will also be responsible for much of the Learning Enrichment completed this year.
Outside of schools hours, my time is divided between my family, my study and attempting to stay fit – not easy in a land with such great food!

Mairi Fraser
UK
Nursery teacher and Early Years/ Key Stage 1 Coordinator

I am the new Nursery teacher at St Michaels. I am from Scotland where I also studied and got my teaching certification and more recently received my Masters in Education. I have been teaching in an International Early Years School in Seoul for the past 6 years where I worked with children at various stages of the Early Years. I strive to create a rich, fun learning environment where your children feel safe to explore new skills and concepts and foster a vision of themselves as learners that will stand them in good stead through their life. I believe that parents and teachers are partners in the development of your children’s potential and I look forward to working together with your children on this journey of exploration and learning.

Kumiko Kamatsuka
Japan
Teaching Assistant Early Years

This is my ninth year at St. Michaels International School and the second working in the Nursery class. Previously, I have also taught at Osaka International School. Having completed my Early Childhood teacher training in California, I am licensed to teach children aged up to five.

Engrid Hermann
U.S.A.
Reception Teacher

This will be my seventh year teaching in the Early Years at St. Michael’s . With a degree in Elementary Education, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, and a desire to continue my education I consider myself a life-long learner. I am very passionate about working with young children and enjoy helping them to be excited about learning and discovering. I have also enjoyed being part of the St. Michael’s family throughout the years and look forward to a new year with those familiar and new to our school community.

Akiko Nakagawa
Japan
Teaching Assistant Early Years

I am in my 7th year at St. Micheal's and I am enjoying working in our Reception class with Miss Hermann. I studied Childcare and Education in England and I have been working in Early Years in England and Japan for about 15 years. Recently, I completed a pediatrics course in Japan and England. I love travelling and visiting my friends in other countries during my holiday.

Alex Timmis
UK
Year 1 Class Teacher

I am now in my sixth year at St Michael's. I first arrived in Japan 23 years ago, attending international schools in Tokyo and Yokohama as well as university in Osaka so I consider very much Japan as my home. I love to teach children of all ages and particularly enjoy offering sporting and creative club activities to St Michael's children from Nursery to Year Six. In my holidays I like to travel all over the world as well as visiting my family back in the UK. While in Kobe I love trying to get fit but this is made difficult by my appreciation of delicious Japanese cuisine. I have a passion for music from brand new electronic music to original soul and disco records. I'm really looking forward to the year ahead teaching Year One and the challenges and experiences it will bring.

Avani Shah
India
Teaching Assistant Year 1

I was born in India, but I have always lived in Kobe. I enjoy reading and watching movies. This is my sixth year working at St. Michael's International School. I am very lucky because I get to experience St. Michael's through the eyes of a teacher, alumni and as a parent.

Clare Lauritzen
UK
Year 2 Class Teacher

I am a Maths graduate, with teaching experience in England, Singapore, Kathmandu, Berlin and Kobe. I am currently in my third year at St. Michael’s International School and have enjoyed getting to know the students and parents over the past couple of years. I enjoy the variety of working with primary age children, from teaching handwriting and Maths, to setting up Science investigations and being creative in Art. I love to travel and explore new places and am happy to be in such an exciting part of the world. My hobbies include walking the mountain trails when the weather is kind. I have set myself the challenge of walking fifteen different routes during this academic year. Hopefully this will keep me fit and full of energy for teaching the Year Two children.

Fusako Lang
Japan
Teaching Assistant Year 2

I have just joined St Michaels. I was teaching Japanese at a public school in Florida for the last four years and I also taught at a Montessori School in New York. I have my Masters in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University. In my free time, I love to read books, go hiking and spend time with my two boys, who are also excited about starting a new life at St Michael’s.

Marcel Peñarroja
UK
Year 3 Class Teacher

I come from London, the capital of the United Kingdom. I am now going into my ninth year of teaching and this is my third year at St. Michael's International School. I thoroughly enjoy working and living here in Japan, particularly in Kobe. One of my most favourite experiences so far has been was when I saw the Sumo Basho last March. My interests include swimming, cooking, travelling and football (soccer to some of you.)

Sarah Reynolds
UK
Year 4 Class Teacher and Key Stage 2 Curriculum Coordinator

This is my first year at St. Michael's International School and I am excited and overjoyed to be in Japan. I am originally from Birmingham in the UK and have been teaching for eighteen years. I previously worked in Dubai, UAE, in several international schools and loved my experiences there. I have two roles here at SMIS; firstly being the Year Four teacher and secondly being the curriculum coordinator for Key Stage 2.
I am honoured to be part of a team committed to striving for excellence in all. In my classroom there is always a positive atmosphere in which I inspire, motivate and challenge each child with high esteem. In my eyes “every child is a star with dreams as high as the sky.” I am strongly committed to being a life-long learner and I hope to foster this notion within my students.

Pia Orum
Canada
Teaching Assistant Years 3 and 4

My time at St. Michael's has been some of the most positive years of my professional life. In the eight years that I've worked here I've met so many wonderful children, families and colleagues. Seeing the students' smiling faces every day, I feel proud of the future generation we are helping to shape.
I am currently working with a great group of kids, in Year 3 and Year 4, many of whom I've known since they started in nursery. When I started at St. Michael's in 2005 I assisted in the nursery class. Later, I spent two years with Reception before taking time off to have a baby. My daughter, Havana is now one and a half years old and she is a very friendly, outgoing child. She loves to visit St. Michael's and I hope she will be a student here one day.
I was born in Vancouver, Canada which is often compared to Kobe as we also have mountains and a beautiful port. Kobe is a delightful city that's easy to get around and I find it a very comfortable place to live. I have lived here for 11 years even though originally I had only planned on staying for a year! Fortunately, once or twice a year I am able to go back to Canada to see my family. My mom is also fond of Kobe and has visited many times. When I'm not at work I'm reading and playing with Havana. On weekends I enjoy hiking, shopping and going out to eat with my husband and daughter.

John Aspinall
UK
Year 5 Class Teacher / IPC Coordinator

This is my third year at St. Michael’s International School and my first as a classroom teacher which I am very excited about. I love Japan and have lived in Fukuoka, Kyoto and in Mie prefecture before settling here in Kobe. At the weekends I enjoy spending time with my wife and three children, tinkling on the piano, reading a book and riding my bike – not all at the same time!

Sally Tong
UK
Year 6 Class Teacher

This is my second year in Year Six at St. Michael’s International School. As well as teaching in Norwich City, my hometown in the UK, I have also had the opportunity to teach in Ecuador in the past. My favourite thing about teaching is to see students grow in confidence and to understand that they have the ability to achieve their best in anything they put their mind to. Living and working in Kobe has allowed me to engage in some of my favourite pastimes, such as shopping, eating, relaxing with a book and my first love – travelling. I hope to learn more Japanese this year as I really want to communicate with new people in Japan. I cannot wait to start the school year with my new Year Six students; it will be challenging and I will expect hard work, but this year will be full of opportunities for them to really impress us all with their achievement.

Jasmine Shallcross
UK
Teaching Assistant Year 5 & 6

I come from Wales in the United Kingdom. I have been working in education for five years now, in London and also here in Japan. This is my first year working at St. Michaels International and I am the new Teaching Assistant for years five and six. I am really looking forward to the year ahead; getting to know the children and helping them to achieve their goals in a fun and exciting way. I have lived in Japan for two years now, and feel very at home and settled here in Kobe. I come from a creative background and enjoy using my creativity both in and outside of work. In my spare time I like to cook (and eat out!), travel and spend time with my friends and family.

Gabe Inter
USA
ESOL Teacher

I am currently in my seventh year at St. Michael’s International School and this will be my first year as the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, helping children mainly in the Early Years and Key Stage One. Prior to this year, I have worked as a teacher assistant and summer school teacher. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, watching movies and searching for new Kit Kats! I also enjoy visiting my family and friends back home in Hawaii.

Peter Ho
Canada
Music and P.E. Teacher

I have been at St. Michael's International School for the last six and a half years. I have three children and Kobe is a wonderful place in which to raise a family. My children attend St. Michael's International School and I enjoy seeing them educated here every day. I love all kinds of music and sports but especially jazz and golf!

Steven Lewington
UK
Library and Learning Enrichment Teacher

I have been working at St. Michael's International School since 2005 when I joined as the Year Two assistant. The following year, I became the Library teacher and I have enjoyed working in that role ever since. Alongside my Library duties, I have also worked as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, Learning Enrichment teacher and relief teacher. Every day is a pleasure, full of surprises, challenges and opportunities for learning. I love it!

Tazu Makino
Japan
ELS Coordinator and Japanese Teacher

I started teaching here as the Primary One class teacher (present Year 2) where I had 26 children from many parts of the world. Currently I am teaching English in the English Language section and Japanese to the International School children. I love teaching, being part of St. Michael’s, and welcoming back our old students, some of whom are now mothers and fathers.

Yoshiko Fujiki
Japan
Japanese Teacher

This is my third year teaching Japanese at St Michael's International School. It is an interesting job, and I enjoy teaching from Nursery to Year 6. I used to teach Key Stage 1 classes at an independent school in Wimbledon. Prior to my departure to the UK, I was working at the British School in Tokyo, and it was there where my interest in the British education system developed and I began to pursue a teaching career in the UK.