Mr. James Stacey. November 2024.
Education & Qualifications
- M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching in Elementary and Middle School (2025) - Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Primary Education (2005) - Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – U.K. Teaching Licence (2007) - CELTA – English Language Teaching Certification - Certified Minecraft Education Edition Teacher I have also completed training in the IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme) and the Cambridge International Curriculum and continually engage in professional development with a focus on child-centered teaching strategies, game-based learning, and translanguaging. Teaching Philosophy & Expertise I am passionate about child-centered learning, game-based learning, translanguaging, books, and design. My approach emphasizes student engagement, motivation, and innovative teaching methods that create meaningful learning experiences. English Language Teaching Experience After completing my CELTA, I moved to Tokyo and worked for three years as an English teacher at SHANE English Schools Japan. This experience provided a strong foundation in language instruction, but I sought to develop my teaching skills further through formal teacher training. PGCE & UK Teaching Certification I returned to the U.K. to complete a PGCE in Primary Education, a Level 7 academic qualification from a university rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED. This rigorous program equipped me with the skills and pedagogical knowledge needed for effective elementary education. After earning Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), I joined a top 3% U.K. elementary school based on national value-added scores. This Best Practice Representative school is known for its excellence and now trains teachers for other schools. During my time there, I successfully completed my NQT year and obtained my full U.K. teaching licence. International Teaching Experience in Tokyo Upon returning to Japan in 2007, I worked as a supply teacher at Tokyo International School and The British School before securing a full-time position. Grade 2 Teacher – Tokyo Korean School (Since 2008) - Professional Development Leader – Supporting and training staff in best teaching practices. - Theme-Based Curriculum Design – Developed curriculum frameworks for Grades 2 and 3. - Library Development – Secured and managed a 10 million yen grant from the Korean government to design and build the school’s English/Korean library. Leadership & Management Experience Saturday Manager – Tokyo International School (2014–2015) As the Saturday Program Manager for Tokyo International School, I led a team of 15 teachers, overseeing teacher training, program development, and overall school management. This leadership role provided valuable experience in school administration and educational program design. Library Design & Literacy Programs Library Development – Tokyo Korean School With a 10 million yen government budget, I co-designed and established the English/Korean library at Tokyo Korean School alongside Michael Kelly. You can view our work at: www.tokoslibrary.com Sakura Medal Reading Program & Author Visits For six years, I led the Sakura Medal Reading Program, organizing author visits from notable figures, including: - Kim Jung Gi (link) - Satoshi Kitamura (link) Ongoing Professional Development - Category 1 IB Philosophy and Implementation Training - Current M.Ed. Research Focus: - Learner-Centered Strategies - Motivation & Self-Efficacy - Translanguaging in Education Current Teaching Position I am currently a Grade 6 Teacher at Tokyo Korean School. Previously, I served as a classroom teacher and library coordinator at the school. For a glimpse into my teaching, visit my YouTube channel, where I share teaching vignettes from my classroom. |
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