Mr. James Stacey. November 2024.
​Mr. James Stacey – Educator, Literacy Advocate & Learning Designer
​Tokyo Korean School | June 2025

Education & Qualifications

  • M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching – Elementary & Middle School (2025, GPA 4.00)
  • Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML): Leading Change – Harvard Graduate School of Education (2024)
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), UK (2007)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Primary Education (2005)​
  • CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and Young Learners



I have also completed training in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Cambridge International Curriculum, and I continually pursue professional development in child-centered education, game-based learning, translanguaging, and inclusive practices.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and care. I design learning experiences that are meaningful, joyful, and empowering. I focus on:
  • Inquiry-based learning
  • Design and play as tools for learning
  • Multilingualism and translanguaging
  • Authentic engagement with books and storytelling
  • Trauma-informed and inclusive practices
  • Teacher well-being and sustainable professional growth

Above all, I aim to help students find their voice and confidence across languages and media, while also supporting colleagues in building healthy, balanced teaching practices.

English Language Teaching Foundation

My teaching journey began after earning my CELTA and working at SHANE English Schools Japan. This early experience built a strong foundation in language instruction and cross-cultural teaching.

Formal UK Teacher Training & Certification

I returned to the UK to complete a PGCE in Primary Education at an OFSTED-rated Outstanding university, earning Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

I then taught at a Top 3% UK Primary School, where I completed my NQT induction year. This high-performing school also serves as a Best Practice Representative for other schools.

International Teaching Experience – Tokyo

After returning to Japan, I worked at Tokyo International School and The British School in Tokyo before joining Tokyo Korean School full time in 2008.

Grade 4 Teacher – Tokyo Korean School (2008–Present)Key Contributions:
  • Professional Development Leader – Coaching staff and leading internal PD
  • Curriculum Design – Developed theme-based units for Grades 2–3
  • Library Development – Co-designed the school’s bilingual English/Korean library with a ¥10,000,000 government grant

Leadership & Management

Saturday Program Manager – Tokyo International School (2014–2015)Led a team of 15 educators, overseeing:
  • Curriculum design and enrichment programming
  • Teacher training
  • School operations and parent engagement

Library Design & Literacy Programs

Bilingual Library Project – Tokyo Korean SchoolTogether with librarian Michael Kelly, I co-designed the school’s English/Korean bilingual library.
More at: www.tokoslibrary.com

Sakura Medal Reading Program

I coordinated the Sakura Medal Reading Program for six years, organizing author visits with notable figures, including:
  • Kim Jung Gi (link)
  • Satoshi Kitamura (link)

Ongoing Professional Development
  • IB PYP Category 1 – Philosophy & Implementation
  • Current Research Areas:
    • Learner motivation and self-efficacy, including PSHE, and strategies to support diverse and neurodivergent learners
    • Trauma-informed and child-centered practices in multilingual school

    • Translanguaging in multilingual classrooms
    • Teacher identity, well-being, and professional resilience
    • Student-centered curriculum design
    • Inclusive classroom practices and universal design for learning (UDL)

Current RoleI currently teach Grade 4 at Tokyo Korean School, where I continue to combine my passion for literacy, creativity, and inclusive learning in a multilingual environment.