Good evening, everyone. こんばんは！

My name is Katharine Davis, but please call me Kate. I teach Japanese Language and Culture at a high school in Detroit. (I also have an art class this year, but I hope to be full-time Japanese next fall as I am establishing a brand new program!)

I have a deep love for all things art and all things Japanese, so it was only natural that I would sign up for a course like this. I am truly looking forward to exploring Japan's history and culture with all of you!

よろしくおねがいします！

Hi everyone,

My name is Jen Place.  I teach visual arts to K-8 students in Connecticut.  I simply enjoy learning and am hoping to use elements from this course for a semester long elective next year.  

Hello Everyone,

I'm Harry and I'm a graduate student at the University of Memphis. I'm studying Education and would like to teach Japanese language and culture at the high school level once I graduate. I'm fascinated with the Heian period of Japanese history, as well as the post war reconstruction era. Looking forward to learning from such a fine array of scholars in this class. 

My name is David Millians. I teach fifth and sixth graders at Paideia School in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am the Asian Resource Administrator for my K-12 school. I have enjoyed studying Asia since college in the eighties, and it's grown more fascinating with each passing year. I have traveled in China and Korea solo and with groups of high school students.

Hello. My name is Miguel Diaz. I taught 4^th grade at LAUSD this past school year. Next year, I will be teaching a grade 4/5 class. Before returning to southern California in April 2020, I spent over 17 years living and teaching in Asia. I taught mainly in Shanghai, China; however, I also spent about half a year teaching in Osaka, Japan, and one month teaching at a winter camp in Seoul, South Korea. 

I would like to continue learning – not only about Japan – but also about all cultures of East Asia so that I can help my students (and my own children) gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region.

Hello - My name is Deirdre Harris.  I have been a teacher with LAUSD on and off for 28 years.  I have taught a 4th grade gifted class for the past several years at Apperson Elementary School.  I recently took the East Asian Studies to 1800 class this Spring with Professor Dube, and learned so much.  I am also trying to gather content to enrich my Social Studies content, while also accumulating some salary points too.  I look forward to learning from Professor Pilteka, as he was a guest lecturer in the East Asian Studies class and I know we are in for some wonderful content.  I am eager to learn more about Japan.  Thank you.

はじめまして

Hello,

My name is Stephen Wludarski. I work with the NCTA at the University of Pittsburgh. Before that, I spent three years in Japan teaching English at the Elementary and Middle grade levels in the city of Kobe. Like many of you, I have a deep love and appreciation for Japan and things Japanese. As an undergraduate, I studied Japanese history, art, and culture. In particular, I'm interested in religion in Japan and Shinto and Buddhist religious sites.

I'm looking forward to learning more and meeting all of you virtually

よろしくおねがいします