Teacher Bios
Founder
Kimberly Funasaki earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in both Mandarin Chinese and Japanese at Georgetown University. She studied and worked in both China and Japan before earning her MBA at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, completing coursework in Chinese. She used both languages when working for various international companies over a decade in Silicon Valley. Kimberly is the mother of three little ones, and has been exposing them to the sounds of foreign languages from the time they were infants. She combines her passion for languages with her love of children in opening the Little Ambassadors school.
Kimberly Funasaki earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in both Mandarin Chinese and Japanese at Georgetown University. She studied and worked in both China and Japan before earning her MBA at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, completing coursework in Chinese. She used both languages when working for various international companies over a decade in Silicon Valley. Kimberly is the mother of three little ones, and has been exposing them to the sounds of foreign languages from the time they were infants. She combines her passion for languages with her love of children in opening the Little Ambassadors school.
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Japanese
Jasmine Togashi (Jasmine Sensei) was educated in Japan before moving to the United States and earning a Bachelor of Music degree at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. She previously worked as an instructor teaching Japanese to infants and toddlers in California. She specialized in utilizing art and music as developmental tools. She also contributed to a Japanese community paper for parents and children as a volunteer writer. Jasmine Sensei has been with Little Ambassadors from Day One, and her inimitable experience is incredibly evident! Amy Wada (Amy Sensei) recently returned to Hawaii from working in Japan on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program for 2 years. She graduated from Willamette University with a B.A. in Japanese studies, after spending a year abroad at Tokyo International University. Fluent in Japanese (Japanese Language Proficiency Level 1), she is especially interested in immersion, as she started her own Japanese language education attending El Marino Language School in Culver City, California. Amy Sensei has been assisting Jasmine Sensei in many of her classes. Anri Nakamine Burns (Anri Sensei) expands our reach to create Little Ambassadors on the west side! She recently moved to Hawaii from Okinawa with her teaching license. In Japan, she taught English, Math, and Japanese to kids ages 5 thru 12. Since her arrival in Hawaii, she immediately began training and teaching with Little Ambassadors. She has also spent some time in North Carolina. Anri Sensei loves kids, is expecting one of her own soon, and hopes that she can make time spent with Little Ambassadors interesting and worthwhile for all! Kazumi Cabansag (Kazumi Sensei) is the lead teacher in our Japanese Immersion Preschool. She brings years of Early Childhood Education experience (both local and international) to our program. She is the mother of three little boys, and conducts class in an animated manner to keep all entertained. Please come and see for yourselves! |
Chinese
Lisa Wang (Wang Laoshi) actually came out of retirement to join our Little Ambassadors family! She is completely bilingual, having come from Taiwan over 35 years ago. She is patient and nurturing, not to mention excellent and experienced with young children. We are sure your children will love her! Annie Kao (Gao Laoshi) is a native speaker of Chinese who recently moved to Hawaii from Okinawa. She is originally from Taiwan, and there earned educational training certification from the United States Marine Corps for the Children, Youth, and Teen Programs as a Program Technician. Little Ambassadors' children (and parents!) all seem to love her open and welcoming nature, and the way that she structures class. She also follows up with parents on a weekly basis. There is no question that all are learning and having fun with Gao Laoshi. |
Spanish
Mitsue Tomala (Tia Mitsue) is a wonderful addition to our Spanish program. She is trilingual--in addition to having grown up speaking Spanish, she also is fluent in Japanese and English! She attended the Universidad San Martin De Porres, has 2 children, and has tutored Spanish while living in Japan. Bienvenido a Tía Mitsue! Katie Shell (Tia Katie) recently moved to Hawaii from Georgia, and Little Ambassadors is so fortunate to get her on board so quickly! She grew up speaking Spanish, and enjoys teaching her own two children Spanish as well as our Little Ambassadors. Tía Katie is also the founder of Baby Sleep Well, helping confounded parents everywhere! Korean Soon Ae Kim (Soon Ae Seon-saeng-nim) joins our Little Ambassadors family as an extremely experienced, cheerful, and energetic Korean teacher. She graduated from Singu College and Korea National Open University with degrees in Early Childhood Education, and also earned a diploma of Early Childhood Education from Stanton University in California. She has years of experience as a preschool teacher in both South Korea and Los Angeles, and we are so excited that she has chosen to share her knowledge and background with us! |
