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Lily McDermott (2018-2021)

CIR Prefectural Advisor
International Affairs Division

Welcome to Kumamoto! I grew up in Scarborough, Ontario in Canada. In high school, I spent hours watching Taiwanese dramas, reading about linguistics and other languages, but thought of it as a hobby at the time. After abandoning a brief attempt to study life sciences, I ended up graduating with a degree in Linguistics from York University.

My first visit to Japan was through a relationship between my university’s TESOL Program and Meiji University, where I assisted teaching at an intensive English-language camp for university students at a seminar house in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture. At the time, I had already submitted my application to the JET Programme, and after just two weeks in Japan, I was excited to come back. I couldn’t wait to learn where my placement would be!

My time on JET began in the summer of 2016. I spent my first two years as an ALT in Kashima, the smallest town by area in all of Kumamoto Prefecture. There, I taught at a junior high school, two elementary schools and a kindergarten.

In August 2018, I started working at the International Affairs Division of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office as a CIR and PA. As a PA, I am here to offer Kumamoto JETs information and support. If you ever have questions, concerns, or need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!

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Chase Sutherland (2020-2021)

ALT Prefectural Advisor
Prefectural BOE

Hi! I’m Chase, a 5th year ALT from Michigan, U.S.A. Before becoming PA I taught at Toryo Senior high school for 4 years. In Michigan I grew up on a farm and went on to major in creative advertising with a minor in Japanese. Michigan has a sister state relationship with Shiga prefecture, and I was fortunate enough to do a homestay and study Japanese there while in college. It was an incredible experience which spurred my desire to apply for the JET program.

As many of you know,  I’m the successor to the amazing and beloved Bilal Khan. For two years I’ve been fortunate enough to watch Bilal take on the hefty roles and duties of being PA with zest and zeal, as well as support us ALTs with dedication. He was the perfect man for the job, and I hope to continue the good work he’s done.

As PA I’m determined to make the JET program in Kumamoto a fulfilling, worthwhile, and safe experience for both the incoming and current JETs. 2020 has been a rough year so far, but I want to work towards having you all make the most of your time here, both in and outside of work. If you have any questions or need help with anything at all, please reach out to me or the other PAs.

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Bilal Khan (2018-2020)

ALT Prefectural Advisor
Prefectural BOE

Hi there! I was born in Maryland and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. That’s right; a proud citizen of the US of A! Thanks to an awesome physics teacher in high school, I went on to study physics at the University of Virginia. Because I love a good challenge, I also decided to pursue a Japanese language and literature major alongside it. In the end, it turned out I’m using my Japanese degree a whole lot more than my physics degree. Who would’ve thought!

In my fourth year of college, after realizing that the path of a physicist is one I would rather leave to other eager, aspiring scientists, I decided to apply for the JET Program. Having always been interested in martial arts, video games, and Japanese food at a young age, along with the passion I gained from my university studies, the JET Program seemed like the perfect fit.

Before becoming PA, I spent 2 years teaching at Seiseiko Senior High School, and through doing so have really enjoyed my time teaching and being a part of the Kumamoto community.

I am the wonderful and witty Jonny’s successor as the ALT PA at the prefectural BOE. In my spare time, I like to go to izakaya with friends, play games, drum, exercise, and travel. And play with animals　🐇

With the other PAs, I very much look forward to helping you make the most of the JET Program, form meaningful connections, and make lasting contributions in Kumamoto.

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PA Emi Fujimoto (2018-2020)

Japanese Prefectural Advisor
Kumamoto Prefectural BOE
High School Education Divison

Hi! I’m Emi Fujimoto, Prefectural Advisor at Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education Upper Secondary School Division. I’m Ms. Takaki’s successor. Some people call me “next Takaki-sensei.” I’ve worked at four different high schools. I used to work with Ms. Takaki at Hitoyoshi High School and Uto High School, and with Jonny at Kumamoto Kita High School. I really enjoyed teaching English with them. I hope all the ALTs on JET Programme in Kumamoto will enjoy teaching and enjoy life in Kumamoto.

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Laura McGhee (2016-2018)

CIR Prefectural Advisor
International Affairs Division

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio in the United States. I always enjoyed studying foreign languages, and so when I entered university (at Ohio State University) I tried studying Japanese. I loved it so much that I ended up graduating with a double major in International Relations & Diplomacy and Japanese Studies (with a Studio Art minor). After graduating, I worked for several months as a tutor and a substitute teacher at a kindergarten.

My first visit to Japan was through a sister-state summer internship exchange program for university students between my home state of Ohio and Saitama Prefecture. Although I only spent six weeks in Japan, I decided that I wanted to come back and work in Japan.

I started my time on JET in the summer of 2013. I spent my first three years as an ALT in Amakusa, the islands in western Kumamoto Prefecture. There, I taught at two junior high schools and two elementary schools. If you ever have the chance to go to Amakusa, I highly recommend that you go – it is like no other place in Kumamoto. Dolphins, dinosaurs, and Santas are just a few words that come to mind when I think of Amakusa.

From July 2016, I started working at the International Affairs Division of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office as a CIR and PA. As a PA, I am here to offer Kumamoto JETs information and support. If you ever have questions, concerns, or need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!

My hobbies are pottery, hiking, studying Japanese, cooking (although I am horrible at it), and traveling. In the past I have presented about sightseeing in Kumamoto, so if you need any suggestions, ask me!

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Jonny Cornish  (2016-2018)

ALT Prefectural Advisor
Prefectural BOE

I was born and grew up in London. Off the back of an interest in physics, I went to university at Durham to study it. After playing American football, dabbling in karate and kendo, playing many computer games and eventually getting a master’s degree in physics, I returned to London and decided that I wanted to try out being a teacher. I finally got a teaching qualification and a third of a master’s degree in education after a year at King’s College London, where I spent time as a student teacher in some local schools.

Before eventually becoming a teacher in my home country I decided that I wanted to see more of the world. Having always been interested in Japanese martial arts, anime, the Japanese language and Japanese history since a young age, the JET Programme seemed the perfect opportunity.

These last three years my base school has been Kumamoto Kita High School and I have greatly enjoyed teaching and being a part of the Kumamoto JET Programme. In March of this year my beautiful baby girl (Jenny) was born to my wife (Ranko), who I met three years ago in Japan and married last June.

I am the successor to the wonderful and flamboyant Dokken as the ALT PA at the prefectural BOE. My spare time is pretty much all used on enjoying time with my daughter, but I still like anime, computer games and reading very much. With the other PAs, I very much look forward to helping you make the most of the JET Programme, form meaningful connections and make lasting contributions in Kumamoto.

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Shiho Takaki  (2016-2018)

Japanese Prefectural Advisor
Kumamoto Prefectural BOE
High School Education Division

Hello! I’m Shiho Takaki. In April 2015, I started working as the Japanese PA in Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education with the JET PA Nicole. My main role is to help ALTs and JTEs working in Kumamoto Prefectural senior high schools. ALTs are big motivators for students who want to improve their English abilities, so I’m really happy to be involved in the JET Programme and help ALTs and JTEs connected to this programme.

Before coming here, I worked at Hitoyoshi SHS, Toryo SHS, and Uto SHS as an English teacher and had team-teaching lessons with some ALTs. I also have been a tantousha of some ALTs, so these experiences might be helpful in my present position.

One of my favorite things is sipping nice coffee, so I’m looking forward to meeting, talking and having a nice cup of coffee with you ALTs and CIRs. Please feel free to contact us!

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Roland Carlos (2014-2016)

CIR Prefectural Advisor
International Affairs Division

I’m originally from Maryland, America, growing up about 15 minutes away from Washington D.C. While I love home (and still intensely follow Washington/Maryland sports), I decided to go west to the University of California, Berkeley for school. At Berkeley, I double majored in Computer Science and Japanese Language. After graduation, I worked in technology consulting out of San Francisco for about three years.

While I was at Berkeley, I had the opportunity to study abroad for half a year in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture. It was there that my interest in Japan really began. In the years following my time in Tsuru, I made it a point to visit see my Tsuru friends and visit a new part of Japan every year. From those travels, I’ve been all over the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Feel free to hit me up for travel advice at any time.

I decided to leave consulting and join the JET program in the summer of 2011. I spent my first three years as an ALT in Amakusa, the islands out in the western part of Kumamoto. While it doesn’t get many tourists outside of the summer (who come for some of the best beaches in Kumamoto), I suggest you take a trip out at least once. Dolphin watching, great onsen, fantastic ocean views, delicious seafood and super friendly people await you there.

Now in my fifth year here in Kumamoto, I’m taking on the challenge of becoming the CIR PA, working out of the International Affairs Division. As the PA, you’ll hear from me with important information and updates throughout the year about your time in Japan. I am also available anytime you have questions, concerns, comments, or just want to chat about your time here in Kumamoto.

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Dokken Nakamone (2015-2016)

ALT Prefectural Advisor
Prefectural BOE

Many ALTs come to Kumamoto from all over the world sharing a common interest in Japan. My interest began in high school where I took Japanese for my foreign language studies. I continued my Japanese studies in university, which then expanded to researching Japanese history, culture, and art movements.

I completed a dual degree in accounting and Japanese history at DePaul University in Chicago and Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. After graduating university, I worked briefly for a newspaper company and then moved to Aso where I taught at five senior high schools located all around the caldera.

From July 2015, I will be working as the ALT PA at the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education Office (Kencho) following the lovely Nicole. I have presented workshops at Tokyo Orientation, Kumamoto Orientation, the Intensive English Teacher’s Seminar, SDC and hope to share my experience and some useful knowledge with everyone.

I will be available for personal or work related counseling. If you also need help filing your US tax returns or have any Japanese language related matters, please don’t hesitate to send me a message.

In my spare time, I enjoy running and got to run some cool marathons in Japan, including the Kumamoto Castle Marathon and Miyazaki Aoshima Marathon. I’m also a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Game of Thrones, and Gintama.

I am looking forward to working with everyone and hope to build a close community within the JET program. I don’t believe a job can be too big or too small if we all work together, so please contact me anytime if you have any questions or concerns. See you around in Kumamoto!

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Hideki Harada (2012-2016)
Japanese Prefectural Advisor
International Affairs Division

Hello!  I’m Hideki Harada.  In April 2012 I started working as the Japanese PA and the JET Programme supervisor for Kumamoto Prefecture.  My primary role here is to run the JET Programme smoothly with Jason, giving piles of information and advice every day to JET tantoshas of every contracting organization.

When I was a university student I stayed in Bozeman, Montana in the USA for one year.  From 2005 to 2008, I stayed in Hamburg, Germany, and taught English at a Japanese school in Hamburg.  I’ve taught English in junior high schools for 15 years, so I have a lot of team-teaching experience with ALTs.  I also like to travel, and have been to about 30 countries!

I’m looking forward to meeting and talking with all you ALTs and CIRs.  I’ll do my best to help you.  See you soon!