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Asako Clark

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Japanese woman wearing a kimono sitting in fron of traditional Japanese doors smiling into the camera
Asako Clark

Asako Clark

Position in School: Health & Physical Education Teacher and Japanese Culture Program Coordinator

Nationality: Japanese

 

 

What year did you come to YIS, and where were you working prior to YIS?
 
I joined YIS in 2010 as a maternity cover teacher in the ELC. Prior to that, I taught at Japanese schools in Tokyo and Yokohama as an Elementary teacher and Physical Education teacher. I was also involved in running exchange programs between a Japanese school and American, Australian, and German schools.
 
 
What attracted you to come work at YIS?
 
The diverse community and the inquiry based learning curriculum at YIS greatly appealed to me.
 

What do you love most about teaching the students here at YIS?

The students have so many different interests and they inspire me to learn new things I have never explored before.
 

What areas of school life are you involved with at YIS? 
 
I’m involved with the whole school curriculum and the wider community. My role bridges the gap between our students' learning and our life in Japan.
 
 
How is learning different here at YIS?
 
The students have many opportunities to develop their agency, critical thinking skills and creativity at YIS, they are consistently generating questions and delving into different topics. In a world that is rapidly evolving, the need to innovate and embrace new approaches is constant. I firmly believe that the learning here at YIS empowers our students to cultivate these essential skills.
 

What are your hobbies and interests outside of school, and what do you enjoy most about life in Japan?

I'm a big fan of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, SUP, skiing and snowboarding. With Japan's four distinct seasons, there's always something I can do throughout the year. I also enjoy eating local seasonal food while traveling to different prefectures.


Which YIS event(s) do you feel highlights who we are as a school?

Events like Studentainment and the Art Exhibition offer a different perspective on my students, I'm always impressed by their talent and hard work. The Food Fair is also a highlight as it involves all the parents, teachers, and students who come together to celebrate the day. It's nice to see how we all unite and develop a sense of community.  For me, these events really showcase who we are as a school.
 

What excites you most about working here at YIS?

Every day is different at YIS. Of course, we have traditions and things that have been part of the school for a long time, but there is always room to try something different and create something new.

What do you love about living and working in Japan?

I love having four seasons, I think it is a big part of Japanese culture. We enjoy and celebrate each season with different food and activities throughout the year so it never gets boring.