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.

CO-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.

CO-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.

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!).

ELECTIVE GUIDE

Koume was born and raised in Nagano City and has been exposed to snow and agriculture since she was little. You’ll find her in the veggie patch in the green season and building snow people in winter with her three children (four if you include Quinn). Koume feels the importance of a balanced lifestyle, routine, and a safe home, all of which are essential to leading a healthy life. She loves cooking, embroidery, and reading, and recently finished her Yoga RYT200 course this year to become a licensed Yoga instructor. She supports students with elective classes and in providing healthy, nourishing snacks.

HOUSE PARENT & MUSIC GUIDE

Thierry was raised in Melbourne, Australia. He was fortunate to attend schools that valued community mindedness, project centred curriculum and musical excellence.

After graduating in Jazz and Improvisation from the Victorian College of the Arts, Thierry spent several years in Europe developing skills and gaining experience as a professional musician. 

Continuing on this path after returning to Australia and engaging in postgraduate study, he became more formally involved with teaching, including over 10 years working with Byron Community School as a music, bands, and performance tutor. He also surfed a lot. 

Returning to Europe in 2020, he was engaged by Saint Gilgen International school, Austria to oversee student wellbeing in boarding and music facilitation. During this time in the Austrian Alps, he graduated from beginner to intermediate level as a skier! Thierry has a keen passion for snow sports and looks forward to further discovering the nuance of the left and right turn!

Thierry comes to HIS as a House Parent and Music guide and very much looks forward to working with the students and community to build a long lasting and innovative school.

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

Since he began his teaching journey by volunteering in a local high school during his university days, Mark has been inspiring young minds for almost 20 years. Beginning his career in London, Mark moved to Japan in 2010 where he has been working at the British School in Tokyo as Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Outdoor Education and Head of House at varying times during his tenure. After being involved with the foundation of Hakuba International School since 2020, Mark joins us as a STEM guide and is very much looking forward to combining his two great passions in the wonderful surroundings of Hakuba - science education and the great outdoors!

With a keen interest in rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and scuba diving he is always looking for opportunities to explore new corners of the world through these activities. Mark very much hopes to share his experiences and expertise with the students at HIS and inspire the next generation of adventurers not only to go out into the world, but to leave a positive impact wherever they go.

ADMINISTRATOR & DIRECTOR

Akiko became a management accounting specialist at both Japanese and foreign-affiliated companies before becoming a civics teacher at her family business, a private middle and high school.

Because she had doubts about lecture-style teaching, she developed and continued to practice workshop-style teaching to encourage students to learn from each other on their own. In 2019, she started learning Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and introduced it to her classes, and explored Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to use it as a basis for PBL.

Meanwhile, since 2007, she has been in both school management and school administration, covering all areas of school management, including vision redesign, business planning, leading research and development teams, and establishing a university.

In October 2021, she retired from her field position of about 20 years, and is now on a journey to create a world where anyone can start doing what they want to do now as a Lifelong Unlearner. In the process, she joined HIS in August 2021.

LEARNING COORDINATOR

Masato is a professional mountain athlete based in Hakuba. He is the representative of Japan at Skyrunning, which is high alpine mountain sports, climbing up and down more than 2000m elevation with a 20-40km distance.

In his youth, he devoted himself to soccer, aiming to become a professional player. After retiring from soccer, he started running mountains, under the influence of his mountain-lover parents. Seeking the best training environment and fascinated by the unique atmosphere, he moved to Hakuba in 2020. Not just a competitor, he also trains and teaches mountain knowledge to younger athletes.

Masato studied global environmental law at Sophia University. With that experience, he is searching for a way of leading mountain activities that protects the natural environment. His unique other face is rickshaw driver. It might be a good idea to ask him to drive if you are late for class.

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.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE GUIDE

Ayako, both as an English and Japanese language teacher, has worked around the world, in Australia, Switzerland and Japan. She has worked in a range of school systems and in multiple roles, from elite private schools in Switzerland and Australia to Government schools in Australia. Her experiences at schools such as Firbank Grammar school, La Garenne International, Mordialloc Secondary College, Brighton Secondary College and Bentleigh Secondary College have each helped her hone her skills, both as a teacher and language coordinator. No matter where she has worked and no matter the role, whether as Head of the Japanese or the LOTE Department or as a Year 12 examiner, her skills as an educator have always been clearly evident. She has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Japanese Interpreting and Translation at Monash University and is also an author of Japanese textbooks, the Obento series, that are widely used in Australian secondary colleges. She continues to develop her professional skills through close ties with schools in Japan and work through the Japan Foundation.

HUMANITIES GUIDE

Having wandered and explored many parts of the world, the varied cultures, mountains and rivers, it became the foundation for Michael’s passion for helping others to build authentic relationships with the world around them.

From these travels, his interest in our involvement on this planet through our stories and histories have added understanding and interconnections to his experiences and his teaching. Helping learners on their own journey to explore, whether through multi-day explorations of the mountains or though the passages of history or literature give him the greatest joy.

Michael is a graduate of Monash and La Trobe university. He likes nothing better than to be bobbing down a river or hanging off a cliff face, especially with his daughter.

DEAN OF STUDENTS & MATH, HUMANITIES GUIDE

Sigfried’s journey into teaching was inspired by the teachers he had who cared about his growth not only academically but also personally. After attaining his Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, he made sure to adopt the same philosophy in his career.

Before coming to HIS, Sigfried has taught a plethora of different subjects, from mathematics to social studies and even introductory Mandarin Chinese. These experiences made him realize that he is a life-long learner, as there is much to discover about the natural world and human relationships, and further solidified a holistic teaching philosophy that centered on a student’s social-emotional well-being.

Sigfried has a dog named Skye who he hopes to be able to bring to Japan, and in his spare time loves consuming science fiction and fantasy in both print and visual media, as well as building LEGO.

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.

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.

COUNSELLOR INTERN & RESIDENTIAL LIFE ASSISTANT

Pandita grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, where her parents' commitment to international education and volunteerism instilled in her a global mindset, stewardship, and social responsibility. At 14, she embarked on a solo journey to Sicily, Italy as an AFS exchange student, mastering hand gestures, gelato appreciation, and cultivating intercultural awareness and a passion for exploring new cultures. Inspired by this, she attended UWC ISAK Japan as a boarding school student, driven by her belief in making a positive global impact. There, she deepened her cultural sensitivity, global citizenship, and love for lifelong learning.

She has experience in pastoral care and co-facilitating mental health workshops for young adults at international schools in Okayama and Aichi prefecture, and is now completing her master’s degree in psychology and counselling at the University of Glasgow. She brings this background to her role as a Counselor Intern and Residential Life Assistant at HIS, eager to guide students toward flourishing and fulfilling adulthood.

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

Ayumi’s parents loved Hakuba, so we 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.

PE & EAL GUIDE

Originally from California, Wallace has always been passionate about sports and the outdoors, leading him to his career as a PE teacher. Through a variety of twists and turns Wallace ended in Tokyo, where he taught PE and English as a Second Language. During this time, Wallace frequently escaped Tokyo to Nagano for snowboarding in winter, and camping in summer. Now that he has joined the HIS team, he excitedly shares his passions and experiences with our students, and supports their language development.

HUMANITIES GUIDE

Kelly-Ann's years of teaching students with diverse backgrounds inspire her to experiment with different approaches to learner-centered education. She is motivated by a desire to create more democratic learning spaces, where all members - students and staff - contribute to the ‘community of learners’ and feel empowered as 'agents of change'.

She has worked in traditional and alternative structures, with students from kindergarten to adult, and from elite private schools to teaching under the shade of tropical trees without even so much as a blackboard. Kelly's teaching areas have been based largely in the humanities, specialising in social sciences and second-language learning. She is particularly passionate about Education for Sustainability and helping others to take action to create a more socially just, sustainable world.

Kelly re-energizes herself by spending time on her skis, in her hiking shoes or on one of her (too many) bicycles. But she's also often found relaxing with a book or in an onsen.

RESIDENTIAL & FACULTY INTERN

Jasmine is a born Seattleite, having attended The Bush School where she built a foundational understanding of progressive education and experiential learning from a student’s perspective. She recently graduated with a degree in communications and media studies from Tulane University of Louisiana, a higher education institution in New Orleans she lauds not just for its academia but also rich cultural education.

Throughout her undergraduate years, she explored a variety of industry paths, both on the philanthropy team and as a digital marketing strategist at Roc Nation, as well as in internal communications and DEI for T-Mobile. While finishing her alma mater, she worked as social media coordinator for the Tulane University Libraries system.

In her free time she enjoys yoga, running, travelling, film photography, and trying new restaurants—bonus points if she can do multiple at once. She is excited to continue her work in community building and outreach while capturing the academic and student life of HIS with the unparalleled backdrop of Hakuba Valley.