Qualified graduates of Kobe College are recruited to teach Japanese language and culture for two years at a high school in the United States. The year 2010 marks our 17th year of this program at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Approximately 100 American high school students will take these classes in the coming school year.

Our Current Teacher, Ms. Kayo Hishitani
Our current teacher, Ms. Kayo Hishitani, began her term at Henry Sibley High School in 2007. Ms. Hishitani is doing an outstanding job as Japanese Language Teacher. “Sensei”, as she is always referred to by the students, has developed positive relationships with her students, as is evidenced by the ever-present students in her classroom before, during, and after school hours. Students seek out Kayo for her positive nature and her love for teaching and sharing her Japanese language and culture.

Kayo Hishitani is a graduate of Kobe College and taught in Japan before arriving in Minnesota in August of 2007. She also participated in the KCC-JEE Internship Program, during which she worked in a Chicago school.

Although she finds teaching in an American public school quite different than teaching in Japan, she has adjusted well.

Ms. Hishitani has so far been visited in Minnesota by her mother, father and sister. Her sister demonstrated Japanese dance to the students and Kayo played a Japanese shamisen.

*This program is funded by a gift from the Suehiro family.*