I was born and grew up in Salem and have spent 25 of my 30 years here in the beautiful Willamette Valley. The other five years I've spent in Japan, as a student in Tokyo in 2000 and teaching in Oita prefecture from 2004 to 2008. In Tokyo I learned what a life-changing experience getting to know another country's language and culture can be. In Oita I learned how fun and fulfilling teaching can be. Both of these experiences have changed the way I look at myself and the world, and I'm very excited for the opportunity to share them with the students here at SJS again this year.