Akari’s Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
May 2006 - May 2008
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI GPA 3.91
Obtained a Hawaii Teaching License from the State of Hawaii
May 2005 – May 2006
Completed 584 Hours of Massage Therapy Training
Aloha School of Massage Therapy, Kahului, HI
Obtained a Hawaii Massage License from the State of Hawaii (MAT 11888)
January 2002 – May 2005
Associate’s Degree in Human Services (Early Childhood Education)
University of Hawaii – Maui College, Kahului, HI GPA 3.90
January 2002 – December 2004
Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts
University of Hawaii – Maui College, Kahului, HI GPA 3.90
September 2001 – December 2001
Completed the Advanced Level in English
The University of Hawaii Maui Language Institute, Kahului, HI
April 1998 — March 2001
Graduated from Kochi Nishi High School, Kochi, Japan
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
CURRENT
July 2010 — Current
Akari Translations, Makawao, HI
Owner of a translation business in which I translate, interpret, teach private and group language lessons/tutoring, and coordinate short-term study abroad programs for foreign universities, educational groups, and sport teams.
August 2017 — Current
Roots School, Haiku, HI
Japanese language/culture teacher
October 2014 — Current
kira kira life Online Boutique
Owner of an online store, selling handmade, one-of-a-kind, earth-friendly products.
www.KiraKiraLife.com
April 2012 — Current
Akari Dance, Makawao, HI
Performer, choreographer, dance instructor
www.AkariDance.com
PAST
April 2015 — March 2020
Kona Ocean Experience, Kona, HI
Japanese Reservationist
Correspond with interested parties; address questions for the company’s tours and make reservations; translate marketing materials including website; interpret at business meetings.
August 2015 — August 2016
Maui Language Institute at University of Hawaii Maui College - Kahului, HI
Instructor/Short-Term Program Coordinator
Responsible for all areas of program development and delivery, including contractual agreements, scheduling, curriculum development, faculty assignments, event planning, team motivation and management, and post-program evaluations. Also, served as an instructor.
July 2010 — July 2014
Department of Education - Maui, HI
2nd Grade Teacher (Grade Level Chair)
Taught students language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, health, meditation, arts (visual & performing arts), handwriting, computer, Japanese language, American Sign Language, and Hawaiian Studies classes. Assessed and implemented individualized teaching.
August 2008 — June 2010
ROOTS, Maui - Haiku, HI
Lead Teacher - Preschool to Kindergarten
Japanese Teacher – 1st to 5th grades
Developed the curriculum and taught preschool to kindergarten students in various subjects in a multi-level classroom.
Responsible for organization of classroom, and administrative work including communicating with parents, collecting tuition, bookkeeping, updating the website, creating flyers and brochures, overseeing classroom maintenance and cleaning, supply shopping, overseeing parent volunteer hours, policy making, and attending board’s bi-weekly meeting.
January 2003 — May 2008
Maui Hero Project - Haiku, Maui
Formatted curriculum, administrative forms, and did bookkeeping
November 2005 — June 2006
Maui Tumblers - Kihei, HI
Instructed basic gymnastic skills to students from ages 3 to 12.
April 2002 — May 2006
Maui Language Institute at Maui Community College - Kahului, Hawaii
Student Assistant: Served as main interpreter for students and visiting delegations from Japan as well as at business meetings, school orientations, and counseling sessions. Translated various documents, including information and orientation packets, brochures, business cards, and marketing materials, the MLI website. Involved in office management systems.
1999 — 2001
Suga Jazz Dance Studio - Kochi, Japan
Dancer/Instructor: Performed and taught a Japanese dance in over 50 cities throughout Japan, New York, & Hawaii.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Student Teaching:
- August 2007 – Spring 2008 Haiku Elementary School Haiku, HI; Student Teacher, 2nd grade
- January 2007 – May 2007 Makawao Elementary School Makawao, HI; Student Teacher, 5th grade
- August 2006 – December 2006 Paia Elementary School Paia, HI; Student Teacher, 1st grade
2004 - 2008
Residential Elderly Care Haiku, HI
Assisted an 84-year-old female with Parkinson’s disease at her residence. Helped in various aspects of her life including housework, medical needs (scheduling doctors’ appointments and accompanying her), meals, and personal care. Also, managed 3 other caregivers who assisted her.
Summer 2004
Global Children’s Organization Badija, Croatia
Fundraised over $3,000 from various areas of businesses to volunteer at a 3-week summer camp for children who had been displaced by war in the Balkans.
2004 — Kahului Hongwanji Preschool, Kahului, HI; Practicum Student
2003 — MCC Head Start, Kahului, HI; Practicum Student
2003 — Hawaii Maui Food Bank, Kahului, HI; Volunteer
2002 — Hawaii Nihongo Hosyuu Kou (Japanese language continuation program for children), Kihei, HI; Assisted instructors with teaching Japanese language to children and practicing conversational skills.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Fluent in Japanese (native language)
- Website development & maintenance (built and maintain www.AkariTranslations.com, www.KiraKiraLife.cm, and www.AkariDance.com)
- Integration of technology in curriculum
AWARDS
- Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation from the University of Hawaii Maui College for my work at the Maui Language Institute (2003-2007)
- Nominated for the Student of the Year Appreciation Award at UHMC (2005)
- Nominated for UHMC Valedictorian (2005)
- Dean’s List for each semester at the University of Hawaii Maui College (2002-2005)
- PATCH Scholarship (2002 -2004)
- University of Hawaii Foundation Scholarship (2004)
- Charles Hemenway Scholarship (2003 & 2004)
- Pacific Asian Scholarship (2002)
- Award for Academic Excellence; University of Hawaii Maui Language Institute (2001)
PUBLICATIONS
- Three poems, “Ocean and Sky,” “Asa Aoku Hikari – Blue Morning Gleam,” and “Moon Light Lullaby”; a photo “What Brought to Hawai`i Over the Ocean,” published in Maui Review (2005)
- Poem, “Asa Aoku Hikari – Blue Morning Gleam” - won Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Contest (2005)
- Poem, “How to be a Friend with Someone Who is Scared” - won Honorable Mention for League for Innovation Student Literary Contest (2005)
- Essay, “Sunrise of Life” - published in Maui Review (2004)
INTERESTS
Dancing, reading, writing, and meditating
Akari’s Bio
Mission & Vision Statement
