Community - Interns

Overview

Japanese interns are an integral part of the Japanese Magnet Program at Richmond Elementary, Mt. Tabor Middle School, and Grant High School. In addition to assisting the Japanese teachers in the classroom, interns ensure that JMP students hear two Japanese language speakers on a daily basis. At Richmond, these volunteers help out with all classroom duties and also provide one-on-one tutoring. The interns are also a valued asset to the middle and high schools when the Japanese language program filters into other school curricula.

The interns arrive in the spring in accordance with the Japanese school calendar. This timing also ensures that an experienced intern will be in place for each grade level at the start of the Portland Public School year. The classroom teachers are then able to focus more on the students and less on incoming intern orientation.

Interns live in Portland and work at the Richmond, Mt. Tabor and Grant schools for one year. We ask for a six-month commitment at either the beginning or the second half of their stay. You may choose to host for both terms, but you will be assigned a second intern to ensure they benefit from more than one American homestay experience.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, the following documents need to be submitted:

• ONK Host Family Application
  
• Signed PPS Letter of Agreement (attached)
  
• Copy of homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
  
• Individual Volunteer Criminal History Form
  
• Volunteer Information Form (under other just list Host Family)

Completed forms may be returned to:

Andrea Obana
c/o Oya No Kai
5325 NE Couch Street
Portland, OR 97213

Once you have been selected to host an intern, there will be a detailed homestay training in late March or early April to cover all of your questions and important issues such as banking needs, medical emergency info, dating, computer and internet access, summer employment etc.

If you still have questions or would like more detailed information please contact:

Andrea Obana
Oya No Kai Intern/Host Family Coordinator
(503) 260-6206

2011 - 2012 Interns

This year there are 19 interns supporting the Japanese Immersion Program.

Naoko Adachi, Pre-K Momiji Class
From: Tokyo
"This March, I graduated from Hosei University in Tokyo. I studied Japanese Calligraphy for many years. I am looking forward to helping students explore this very traditional cultural activity. I like sports very much (playing and watching). I also like to see movies and any type of theater. Please let me know if there is anything interesting , since I would like to try everything."

Mutsumi Sakata - Pre-K Sakura Class
From: Hokkaido
"I like listening to music, watching 'Glee' and traveling, I went to West coast, so next I want to go East!! or Canada!! Do you have some idea about my favorite things?? Please speak to me!! because chatting is also my favorite thing!"

Ayako Yamada, Kindergarten (Grover)
From: Fukuoka
"I am Ayako Yamada. I work in Kindergarten class with Amy sensei, and have a good time in there. I like reading, watching movies, shopping and running. I ran the Portand Marathon in October, and I finished!! It is one of my big memories here. My favorite foods are SPAM and pickles. I want to try many things which I can't do in Japan, so please let me know fun events or things. I am having a great time at Richmond. I appreciate your kindness and taking care of us. Thank you so much. Ayako"

Haruno Kogure, Kindergarten (Yoshida)
"Hi, my name is Haruno. I work in a Kindergarten as an intern. I'm from Sapporo which is Portland sister city! I really like Portland. My favorite things are reading books, dancing (for example ballet, ballroom dance, country dance.) and walk around this beautiful city! I'm having a so good time talking with students."

Asami Sugawara, 1st Grade (Mishina)
From: Sapporo, Hokkaido
"I like watching movies, listening to music, go on a trip, making sweets, and LEGOs."

Aki Taniguchi, 1st Grade (Uchida)
"My name is Aki Taniguchi. I am working at 1st grade. I am from KOBE. I love baseball. Especially, my favorite player is Ichiro Suzuki. I like to travel. I have been to a lot of country."

Kie Fukushima, 2nd Grade (Mogi)
"Hi, I'm Kie Fukushima. I'm 2nd graders' intern and working with Mogi sensei! I'm from Kumamoto. Kumamoto has beautiful mountains and seas just like Portland, but Portland is more comfortable cause here is not so humid. I'm really enjoying my life here. I like my students! They're really good! I really appreciate my host family and all of you! Thank you for supporting us!"

Sayaka Katayama, 2nd Grade (Scheiman)
"Hello, My name is Sayaka Katayama. Children call me Katayama sensei. I'm in 2nd grade with Scheiman sensei. I'm from Nishinomiya, Hyogo. Nishinomiya is between Kobe and Osaka. I like to dance classic ballet, reading story book and sewing."

Kunihiro Kodama, 3rd Grade (Hirahara)
"My name is Kunihiro Kodama. I'm working at 3rd grade. I'm from Kagoshima but live in Shizuoka. I like playing soccer."

Mika Maeba, 3rd Grade (Nagakura)
"I'm Mika Maeba. I'm in 3rd grade with Nagakura-sensei. I'm from Hyogo prefecture. I like eating. I like sushi very much. Please let me know if you know good sushi restaurant in Portland!"

Koharu Katsura, 4th Grade (Kamata)
"I'm Koharu Katsura. I'm working at 4th grade I'm from Hokkaido. I like to play tennis, eating and travel."

Mari Tsukamoto, 4th/5th Grades (Kitazawa)
"My name is Mari Tsukamoto. I'm teaching 4/5th grade with Kitazawa sensei. I was born in Seattle, but came to Portland from Yokohama, which is close to Tokyo. My hobby is cooking, reading books, listening to music and playing sports, such as tennis and soccer. I am so excited to help students with their work. Please feel free to talk to me, students! Questions and conversation in JAPANESE are always welcomed. Let's make this year a great one. Thank you."

Satoko Yahari, 5th Grade (Ando)
"I'm Satoko Yahari. I'm working at 5th grade with Ando-sensei. I come from Nishinomiya-shi Hyogo. I love outdoor! Walking, hiking, shopping, sports and camp :D. And I like read book. I love many things :). I want to try everything at everywhere. Thank you."

Mayo Motoike, Mt. Tabor
"Hello. I'm Mayo Motoike. I work in Mt.Tabor middle school. I'm from Tottori and used to live in Hyogo for 4 years when I was college student. I like walking and watching movies. Thand you."

Yuka Ozaki, Mt. Tabor
From: Sapporo, Hokkaido
"I like traveling and bouldering. I also like watching sports and movies."

Yuki Yonamine, Mt. Tabor
"Hello. I am Yuki Yonamine, one of interns in Mt. Tabor Middle School. I am in charge of all grades there. Because of that, I can communicate with many students there. I am very happy I can do that and I really enjoy that. I am from Osaka, Japan. It is well-known that the city has many kinds of good foods and therefore I am interested in eating foods. I am very pleased to stay in Portland because I can get many delicious foods here!"

Natsuko Ishibuchi, Grant
My name is Natsuko Ishibuchi. My hometown is Nagoya-city, located in Aichi prefecture, which is most famous TOYOTA and Miso. I am deeply interested in Japanese culture and motivated to introduce it to other people. Performing the Japanese tea ceremony while wearing Kimono is especially one of my favorite moments. I also love meeting new people and learning about new cultures in the world through traveling. My favorite sport is skiing. I can't wait for winter in Portland!! I also enjoy hiking, cooking and eating different cuisines. I am very very happy to be here and looking forward to meeting new people and doing new things!! With all my heart, I am very grateful to host families, Oya no Kai, teachers and staff who take care of and support the Interns!!!! Much appreciated!!

Shun Komatsu, Grant
From: Sapporo, Hokkaido
"I like playing guitar, snowboarding and studying English."

Nozomu Arie, Grant
"I am from Mie, middle of Japan. My home town is surrounded by forest and river. I like chatting and going around, new place, and making new friends. Also I like playing soccer. And I like driving and watching cars very much! If somebody know the car race or something related cars, please let me know. I am very happy to learning and contributing in this way as an assistant Japanese teacher."

Please introduce yourself to them and help them feel welcome! Please consider inviting them to join you family for an outing, dinner or a casual evening at home. This is a great way to show the interns different aspects of American life as well as a good opportunity for your students to practice their Japanese. If you have any questions about the interns, please contact Andrea Obana.

Three schools, two languages, one community