助け合って みんなで 向上しよう！
We support ourselves!

from ジェーソン

January 2011

At the start of my journey through Japanese six years ago, I was lucky to come across one of the most caring and nurturing instructors I ever had. Tachibana Sensei has been an inspiration to me and many others who have walked down this path. She gives every bit of herself to not just teaching students the language but helping them truly live what Japanese culture is.

In 2004, I was given the opportunity to travel with her and a few students to Japan during the summer. For those two weeks I was involved in adventures and events that many tourists would sacrifice anything to be part of. That is the magic that Tachibana Sensei brings to students. She connects us to experiences that we would never usually have. At the end of the trip I felt like I was leaving a piece of myself behind. Forever was I changed in such short time and it would motivate my every action in my life from then on to study, live, and love the culture.

Even now she still dedicates her life to bringing this vision of Japanese culture to lucky student beyond just the classroom. Between her TLC club and the Speech contest she supports every year, Tachibana Sensei is invested in the potential every student can have upon the world. I look back and think that my life may have lacked the cultural vibrance it does now if fate had not crossed our paths. Mentor, friend, teacher, role model; she has been all these things to me over the years, from that first kon'nichiwa six years ago to where my life has taken me today.

Thank you for believing in me Sensei!

ジェーソン