FOUNDER

After graduating from University of Tokyo with a BA in Economics, Tomoko started her career at Morgan Stanley. She gained her MBA from UC Berkeley and worked for Goldman Sachs in the Private Equity division. She left the finance industry when she had her first child and is now a mother of three. Inspired by the natural beauty, Tomoko and her husband moved to Hakuba in 2009 to raise their family. Since 2015, she’s worked toward a vision of building a world-class international boarding school in Hakuba. Tomoko is also highly interested in sustainability and climate change. She twice participated in the Climate Reality Project workshop hosted by the former US Vice President Al Gore. She co-founded the Hakuba SDGs Lab, a community group aiming to promote sustainability in Hakuba. She serves several committees related to education, SDGs, and renewable energy in Hakuba and surrounding areas.

FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

Chris comes to HIS with a deep passion for helping adolescents discover their potential. He is endlessly curious about how we raise wise, loving, and capable young people.

Prior to joining HIS, Chris was Co-Founder and Head of School at Millennium School in San Francisco, California, during which time the school became renowned for its innovative learning methods. He is a recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship as a leading global changemaker in education, and regularly speaks, trains, and writes for parents and teachers. His book Finding the Magic in Middle School was published in 2022.

Chris is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business. When not working he can be found chasing around his three children, tinkering on the guitar, or with his nose in a good book and a cup of tea nearby.

PRINCIPAL

Lynne joined HIS from Cape Fear Academy in Wilmington, North Carolina, a day school of 740 students from preschool to grade 12. As Director of the Upper School, Kenney oversaw academic departments, student life, college counseling and the development of innovative curriculum; she supervised the upper school’s five-year strategic plan and the creation of the Engineering Certificate Program.

Lynne’s career spans many roles and countries and consistent themes are woven throughout her work. These include the joy of helping students become confident life long learners; the importance of connectedness and appreciation for community; a belief in the powers of collaboration and reflection; and a desire to celebrate diversity and differing viewpoints. Adventurous by nature, she was a professional photographer, a general manager of a major league soccer franchise and a longtime camp counselor.

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & WELL-BEING

David Kenney has been involved in education for over twenty years. After high school, he was a sponsored snowboarder and competitively raced. David graduated from Plymouth State University and worked for Proctor Academy as the Student Activities Director, a learning skills specialist, and an award-winning dorm parent. At Proctor, he led the snowboarding program to ten consecutive championships and qualified athletes for Nationals each year. He started a 3D archery program that qualified students for the World Championships each year and he met his wife, Lynne.

Committed to global citizenship, David and Lynne embarked on an adventure to gain a better understanding of other cultures by moving to Alexandria, Egypt where he worked as the Athletics/Activities Director at the Schutz American School. They later moved on to the Netherlands at Eerde International School in Ommen in the same role with the addition of running the residential life program. From there the family headed to St. Croix, where he was the Assistant Head of School before Covid brought them back to the US and to Cape Fear Academy.

In his spare time he enjoys outdoor adventures and being with his family. He is always ready for a good cliff jumping trip.

MATH GUIDE & UNIVERSITY COUNSELOR

Born on Pi Day, Chris tried his hand at a couple of different professions before becoming a math teacher. His windy path took him through music and law before leading him to a tiny school in Tokyo where he has been for the past 12 years. All of his experiences have enriched his life and made him a better student of mathematics. When he joins Hakuba IS in the fall as a new Mathematics Guide, he hopes to fully experience and embrace the meaning and significance of the word "guide" - providing a platform through which students can lead, learn, and discover for themselves the beauty of mathematics, its philosophy, and its applications. Chris will be joined by his wife Kyoko and his two sons, Kantaro and Sachio.

DEAN OF FACULTY & HUMANITIES GUIDE

The first time Annabel called Japan home, she was an overly energetic second-grader, determined to make 1000 paper cranes and climb Mt. Fuji before her 9th birthday. While her original timeline may have leaned ambitious, she is so grateful to be back in Japan after several decades away.

As a lifelong learner and wilderness enthusiast, Annabel believes the outdoors make for some of the best classrooms. She has brought her students down into remote canyons to identify fossils from ancient oceans, and taught poetry lessons in meadows of alpine wildflowers. Before HIS, she helped start a small farm school in Colorado, where she taught English, led outdoor adventure trips, and trained other teachers in project-based learning. She is passionate about anything that might spark excitement in the classroom, and believes intentional community-building can (and will) change the world.

Her favourite days involve giggling with teenagers, building igloos in the winter or trail running in the summer, and learning about outer space.

SCIENCE GUIDE

Jovenia loves teaching and learning at the age of 13 as she nurtured and held mini-summer schools for children in her neighbourhood. She carries this passion and purpose to HIS as she co-creates with all the stakeholders a safe space for everyone to flourish.

Before coming to Japan in 2008, Jovenia pastored young people in local parishes and taught sciences in elementary, middle school and high schools in the Philippines. She was the IB PYP Coordinator of Okinawa International School (OIS) from 2010-2017. Challenging herself to learn more about the IB Continuum, she joined the Middle School and High School Department to teach the Sciences.

Jovenia is an alumna of the University of Santo Tomas, one of the oldest universities in Asia.

Some of her hobbies are collecting specimens for experiments and concocting new recipes in the kitchen. No worries. She never mixes them.

HUMANITIES GUIDE

Curious would be the best word to describe Adrienne. Whether it’s tracking barred owls through the forest, diving in the Galapagos Islands or delving into a new book, she is in awe of the wonder that inhabits our outer and inner worlds.

That’s why she loves teaching. Having lived and taught on five continents, she knows there’s nobody more interesting, curious and stoked than adolescents. Adrienne believes in providing students with “windows” and “mirrors” to reflect on diverse perspectives as they construct their stories and learn from the stories of others. She enjoys interdisciplinary learning and draws on deep subject knowledge in literature, film and philosophy.

Adrienne joins HIS with experience as Head of English and Theory of Knowledge Coordinator. Prior to teaching, she empowered students through university guidance at an award-winning practice in Vancouver. A graduate of Canada’s top ranked teacher program, she earned her MEd in pedagogy and educational leadership. She has authored interactive content and assessment support for students and teachers worldwide.

Adrienne happily joins HIS alongside her husband, David Short, and their beautiful baby.

SCIENCE GUIDE

Having taught an array of subjects including Science, Math, and PE at international schools in Canada, Sweden and Panama, David brings a breadth of subject knowledge and is eager to support students in pursuing their passions.

After finding his niche as Head of Middle School STEM and inspired by his passion for engineering, technology and robotics, David focused his MEd studies on cross-curricular technology integration. Fluent in French and Spanish and inspired by global-mindedness, David’s goal is to prepare students for ongoing success in an inclusive, interdependent and sustainable world.

Prior to becoming an educator, David enjoyed a successful career as a professional backcountry snowboarder, ambassador and spokesperson for The North Face. Connecting with and inspiring young people through sport continues to be central to his teaching practice. Having fallen in love with the Japanese Alps a decade ago during a snowboarding expedition, he is thrilled to join the HIS community accompanied by his best friend (and wife) Adrienne and their awesome toddler, Cai. David can’t wait to hit the slopes with students and teach his son to snowboard.

PE GUIDE

Quinn grew up as the youngest in his family. He and his siblings would play a variety of sports, and with limited equipment they created their own versions of “backyard sports”. This passion and love of teamwork, communication, creativity and problem solving led him to becoming a PE teacher.

He has been backpacking around the world several times, always curious about different cultures and finally ended up in Japan in 2012 in Nagano. He then moved to Hiroshima for 8 years and was a founding PE teacher at Hiroshima Global Academy. He is returning to Nagano again and passionate about providing ample sporting opportunities for HIS students to explore.

Quinn is a graduate of Queensland University of Technology. His strengths are water, snow, and ball sports. His weakness is sweets (don’t feed him after midnight!).

HEAD OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE & MARKETING

Jamie is originally from Northern Ireland’s north coast and moved to Liverpool in 2014. Initially set on becoming a primary school teacher, his plan was to help shape young minds, but after completing an undergraduate degree, he shifted direction and pursued a Master’s in Digital Marketing instead.

During student years, Jamie discovered a summer role at a sleep-away camp in New Hampshire. What began as a one-off job soon became a long-standing commitment, with Jamie returning during summers he could for nearly a decade. The experience built a foundation in leadership, mentoring, and community living that continues to shape Jamie’s career today.

Now, Jamie works as a Head of Miyama Dorm at HIS, a role that combines pastoral care, mentorship, and cultural exchange in a dynamic international environment. Supporting students in their daily lives, while fostering a safe and inclusive community, has allowed him to return to education in a way that feels both meaningful and personally fulfilling.

MATHS & SCIENCE GUIDE

Robert has a wealth of experience from the classroom to leadership. His strengths in engineering and strategic planning have led to growing 3 new schools, and then moving into roles for school districts. He is very grateful to the business partners and mentors that have funded his dreams to advance STEM initiatives in high schools and better prepare students for their futures. Seeing his students prepared for their futures has been both rewarding for him and his corporate sponsors who have hired his students.

He always finds himself surprised and honored by opportunities to collaborate and share experiences. His passion for teaching the next generation is a discovered ikigai. “If you love what you are doing, you will never work a day of your life.” Robert’s passion and drive are palpable when he is teaching and coaching, but it is his everyday example that leaves the biggest impact on his students as he helps them focus on becoming the best they can be.

Robert is the quintessential life long learner, he is always learning something new. Whether it’s fixing an old wrist watch or lunging from side to side on a sail boat, he is living life to its fullest. As he joins HIS, he is so excited to go on more adventures alongside the students, staff, and his wife Maren.

MATHS & SCIENCE GUIDE

Maren has been a part of the international community since she was very young. Attending international schools, she admired her dedicated teachers who eventually inspired her to join the evolving world of education. As a life long learner, Maren’s passion for education has driven her to complete three degrees. She loves the culture of collaboration in education and strives to learn from the best examples all over the world.

From Advanced Placement to International Baccalaureate, Maren has had many leadership roles throughout her time in education. Her ability to plan ahead has led to large scale school and community collaboration. She opened a STEM Magnet high school where she developed a research program to inspire initiative and creativity in students while also preparing them for university level research. Even in the various positions she has taken on, one thing has remained constant: the real joy in education is working with the next generation of world leaders.

When she’s not thinking up ideas for dynamic learning experiences, she can be found outside searching for beautiful views or inside doing something crafty. Maren joins HIS ready for the exciting journey ahead of her.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE GUIDE

Saori grew up in the countryside in Japan and moved to Australia after finishing senior high school. She completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Geography and International Studies and minoring in Sociology in Australia. During her university years, she participated in an exchange programme in South Africa, where she also attended a Saturday volunteer programme educating young people, which sparked her passion for teaching. After completing her Bachelor of Arts, she continued her studies with a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary).

Saori has spent over a decade teaching Japanese, Geography, and Religious Education in Australia and the UK, inspiring students to explore the world through language, culture, and critical thinking. She has also worked as an oral assessor for VCE Japanese.

She is passionate about empowering young people through education, fostering curiosity, and helping students see the connections between language, culture, and the world around them. Beyond the classroom, you’ll likely find her planning her next adventure—she has visited more than 35 countries and counting—discovering different kinds of cuisines, losing herself in the rhythm of Cuban salsa, or hiking and camping in nature.

Whether she’s guiding students through complex grammar or salsa dancing, she brings curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love for lifelong learning to everything she does.

DESIGN GUIDE & HOUSE PARENT

Sarah joins Hakuba International School with a passion for creativity, design, and education. She has dedicated her career to helping students develop their confidence as designers and problem-solvers, believing strongly that design can be a powerful tool to understand and improve the world around us.

Before moving to Japan, Sarah spent over a decade at St. Gilgen International School in Austria, where she established and led the Design department for the IB and MYP. She has also taught IB Visual Arts and recently completed her Master’s in Leadership. Her teaching is enriched by industry experience, having run her own fashion accessories brand and worked with leading British textile and fashion companies. She is particularly committed to exploring how sustainable design can address both local and global challenges.

Alongside her teaching, Sarah works as a House Parent with her husband, creating a caring and supportive home environment for students in boarding. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys sewing her own clothes, immersing herself in the arts, and getting lost in a good book. Life is always lively with her two adventurous and curious boys, who keep her inspired every day.

HEAD OF BLANCHE DORM

Originally from the United Kingdom, Jacob is an educator and house parent with over a decade of experience in teaching and five years in international pastoral care. Before joining Hakuba International School, he served as a Lead House Parent and EAL Specialist at St. Gilgen International School in Austria, where he supported students’ academic and emotional growth in a multicultural environment.

At HIS, Jacob combines his expertise in language education with his passion for student well-being, helping young people develop confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. His work centers on fostering inclusive, caring communities that empower students to flourish both inside and outside the classroom.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys connecting with nature, creative projects, and exploring local cultures—a reflection of his belief that education extends far beyond the classroom.

ADMINISTRATOR

Akiko grew up in Hakuba, where early on she competed as a member of the Iwatake junior alpine ski team. Athletic training brought her overseas, where she discovered a passion for exchanging ideas with people from many backgrounds. This would start a life-long love of travel and adventure!

Later, Akiko lived in New Zealand, Tokyo, and Vancouver, Canada, where she found a great passion for the hospitality industry. In that field it was all about human communication, turning something negative to positive, and understanding the balance between the demand and respect. After 8 years managing restaurants, including one with a Michelin star, she decided to return to Hakuba, where her family continues to operate an inn.

She was lucky to be introduced to the founding team at HIS through friends, and loves the opportunity to explore a different field. She still and always loves traveling, enjoying good food, and adventuring in the outdoors!

ADMINISTRATOR

Katsue studied education at university with the dream of becoming a teacher, but she didn’t take that path right away. She first worked at a general trading company, and then pursued a long-held dream of living abroad in Australia.

When she returned to Japan, she joined a company that runs an international school and an English conversation school. After moving from Tokyo to Hakuba, she also began helping local kids with subjects like English and math.

For the past ten years, she was finally able to fulfill her original dream of becoming a teacher and worked as an elementary school teacher. Katsue believes that all of these diverse experiences will be very valuable in a role at HIS.

She lives with her husband and their son, who is currently in junior high school. He’s passionate about baseball, and she truly enjoys going to cheer him on every weekend!

ADMINISTRATOR

Ayumi’s parents loved Hakuba, so they moved there when she was 14 years old. Growing up amidst the forests shaped her adolescence, sparking a deep interest in outdoor activities and wildlife. Inspired by a dream to interact with wild dolphins, Ayumi traveled to Australia and engaged in various initiatives that prompted her to contemplate Earth's environment. Now, she is blessed with two daughters who she is raising freely and happily in Hakuba's nurturing environment.

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Born and raised in Japan until middle school, Yusuke then spent the next ten years boarding and studying in the United States through middle school, high school, and college. While pursuing his studies abroad, he returned to Japan every summer and has been interning at HIS since 2021. During those summers, he contributed to marketing, admissions, and running the summer camp, experiences that fueled his passion for education in Japan and deepened his understanding of HIS’s mission.

Today, Yusuke is a full-time member of the admin team, supporting the school’s funding and development with the goal that every student will one day look back and say: “I’m glad I went to HIS.”

Outside of school, Yusuke enjoys skiing and snowboarding—interests rooted in his family’s ties to Nagano Prefecture and his love for the natural beauty surrounding Hakuba.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Mizuki was born in Tokyo, and spent almost all of his school years there. During that time, he was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience mountain climbing and skiing in junior high school, which inspired him to study outdoor education at the Nippon Sport Science University.

Since then he’s been involved in camping, skiing, and marine activities, and has learned a great deal through these activities and in various camps, including earning a physical education teaching license. Recently he’s been enjoying ultra-long distance trail running, and looks forward to running in mountains and participating in races all over the world.

Before joining HIS, Mizuki worked in child welfare for nearly five years, and then worked on revitalizing Matsukawa Village in Nagano Prefecture as a local revitalization team. He is excited to share his experiences and skills to provide an excellent educational and living environment in the wonderful place that is Hakuba.

HUMANITIES GUIDE

Robbie’s interest in education stems from a lifelong curiosity and love of learning. He believes strongly in experiential learning, encouraging students to explore their interests and find their own paths. With a background in the arts, he enjoys exploring new subjects and seeing where curiosity leads him.

Hailing from Ireland, Robbie began his career in arts development and journalism in the U.K. before moving to Japan. After nearly two decades as an educator at international schools in Japan, he is excited to join HIS as a Humanities Guide.

Students often joke that Robbie likes completing all the “side quests.” For him, curiosity and enjoyment are at the heart of learning (otherwise, what’s the point?). Outside the classroom, he enjoys writing, performing, collaborating on creative projects, and staying active. He is also a bit of a pop culture nerd, always ready to get lost in a good book or movie.

Robbie believes nature can be one of our greatest teachers. He is looking forward to helping students take ownership of their learning and sharing plenty of new adventures along the way.

STEM GUIDE & RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATE

Originally from Nanjing, China, Tianhui graduated from Minerva University with a degree in Computational Sciences, an education that took her across six countries and deepened her curiosity about cultures, communities, and ways of learning.

From researching remote learning spaces with an architecture firm in San Francisco to falling in love with salsa in Buenos Aires, bikepacking around Taiwan for nine days, and building a home with roommates from five countries, Tianhui is a strong believer in experiential learning, global citizenship, and outdoor adventure.

Before returning to HIS, Tianhui worked as a software engineer at Uber in San Francisco while teaching and mentoring high school students on weekends. Her path from technology to education reflects her belief that students learn best by tackling real problems, building things, asking difficult questions, and connecting the classroom to the world. At HIS, she brings interests in mathematics, business, technology, and project-based learning.

Outside the classroom, Tianhui loves running, cycling, backpacking, and salsa dancing. She is also learning Japanese and Spanish, occasionally mixing up the two, and is excited to make the mountains of Hakuba her new classroom and home.

STEM GUIDE & ACADEMIC RELATIONSHIPS

Deepesh is an experienced educator from Palpa, a hilly town in western Nepal. After completing his Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry with a minor in Food Chemistry, he began teaching high school science and mathematics. He also holds a teaching credential from Washington, DC, USA, in Secondary Chemistry. 

With more than two decades of teaching experience, Deepesh has taught AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and C, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Calculus, in Lincoln School, Nepal, Schutz American School, Egypt, and American School of Dubai. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership at Edgewood University, Wisconsin, USA. 

He has participated in extensive professional development, including POGILs activity writing workshop, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Understanding by Design, instruction coach for CPM Math programs, IB category 2 certification in chemistry and many more. In addition to teaching, he has coached soccer, badminton, and volleyball. He enjoys traveling, eating, and cooking, and is especially excited about returning to nature, biking, hiking,  and project-based learning at Hakuba International School.

OUTDOOR & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CO - LEAD

Originally from Spain, Javier Calzada brings more than 20 years of international experience in outdoor education, snowsports, and adventure program development. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Activity and Sports, an MBA in Sports Management, and the prestigious ISIA qualification, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and lifelong learning.

Throughout his career, Javier has worked across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, leading educational, recreational, and outdoor programs in countries including Spain, France, Austria, Argentina, Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.

For the past 10 years, Javier has called Hakuba home. During this time, he has played a significant role in developing outdoor and snowsports programs, instructor training initiatives, and mountain experiences, while becoming an active member of the local community.

Javier is passionate about helping young people discover the value of outdoor learning. He believes that experiences in nature provide unique opportunities to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of adventure. As Outdoor Education Leader, he is committed to creating safe, engaging, and inspiring experiences that encourage students to challenge themselves, explore new environments, and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Javier is excited to join the school community and looks forward to sharing meaningful outdoor experiences with students and their families.

NURSE, SEL, DORM AFFILIATE

Kaho is originally from Yokohama, in Japan.

She worked at an inpatient facility for children and adults with severe disabilities after graduating from Kanagawa University of Human Services, where she studied nursing.

Since she had always been interested in school health, she studied for one year at Hokkaido University of Education to obtain her school nurse certification (called Yogo teacher in Japan ) and then went straight to work at an elementary school  in Hakodate.

Over the past years, she has been working in various settings, including international clinics, psychiatric wards, long-term care units, as a tour nurse, and at a special education school, gaining a wide range of experience.

Outside the school, she enjoys hiking, traveling, tennis and encounters in new places

HUMANITIES GUIDE & DORM PARENT

Marc is originally from North of Boston, Massachusetts in the United States - a region informally known as the “North Shore” and he’s a proud New Englander!

He studied history, politics, and education in his undergrad from Colby Sawyer College. While earning his undergraduate degree, he played Division 3 volleyball. After graduating, Marc spent time teaching English in rural Ethiopia until returning to the United States in 2020. 

Upon returning, Marc landed in New Hampshire working as a history teacher, dorm parent, baseball coach and snowboarding coach at Proctor Academy until departing to join the HIS staff. Outside the classroom, Marc loves to be outdoors, play baseball, and explore the world with his partner and co-dorm parent in Miyama, Alicia.

OUTDOOR AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & HUMANITIES GUIDE

Цветомир (Teto) is from Bulgaria and lived in Oslo for a year before starting school in Liverpool at seven, without a word of English. That upbringing taught him the importance of a family's stability and how a community can make you feel at home; he brings these values to his role as a guide at HIS.

Teto is also OEL Co-Director and is excited to explore the local mountains alongside the students at HIS. He moved from Niseko, Hokkaido, where he spent three years building and delivering project-based learning curricula and holiday camps. Before that he was a humanities teacher in Tokyo, and taught Science in London for five years. He holds a degree in Commercial Music and founded a world music magazine.

For Teto, the mountains have always been home. He skis in the backcountry, climbs, forages for mushrooms, rides his road bike, and finds the best conversations happen on a trail or around a fire. He believes an educator's duty is to inspire emotional literacy and curiosity, then walk alongside each student as they figure out where this leads them.