At Sakura Gakuen we are all dedicated to infusing youth and adults alike with Japanese language skills and culture while maintaining a level of freshness and excitement for the process of learning and materials being learned. We have a team of teachers and staff committed to your success and whose enthusiasm for your achievements is unmatched.
Please meet our staff:
Updates pending
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Azumi Maeda Sensei — Teacher, Youth Program Kindergarten Classes |
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Tomomi Flesuras — Youth Program Dean; Teacher, Youth Program Beginner Class Tomomi Sensei was born in Nagano and raised in Osaka, Japan. She came to the United States in 2014. She was employed at a PR company for 8 years, then found her calling as she started language school in Japan. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys being a Sensei at Sakura Gakuen. Her hobbies include reading, ballet exercise and traveling. Email Tomomi Sensei. . |
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Karin Shaffer Sensei — Teacher, Youth Program Senior Introductory Class |
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Maiko Nelson — Teacher, Youth Program Intermediate Class Maiko Sensei was born in Fukuoka, Japan. She attended school in the Bay Area including California Culinary School in San Francisco. She was a chef, has taught Japanese calligraphy and has attended school for interior design. She enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter. Her hobbies include playing sports, gardening, watching movies and cooking. Her classes will benefit from her Japanese culinary skills with some cooking lessons! Email Maiko Sensei. . |
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Nanako Moriyama — Teacher, Youth Program Advanced Class Nanako Sensei was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. Before her arrival in Sacramento in 2016, she taught Japanese language in India as well as Japan. She believes that students learn best when experiencing language as part of a larger cultural experience. Thus, she is always on the lookout for fun and creative ways for students to employ their language skills in the real world. She enjoys hiking, travel, movies and San Francisco Giants baseball. Email Nanako Sensei. . |
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Mrs. Thomas — Dean and Teacher, Adult Classes |
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Mari White Sensei — Teacher, Adult Classes White Sensei has a wealth of knowledge and freely shares it with her students. She enjoys teaching experienced and non-japanese speakers alike. |
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Temari Koga Sensei — Teacher, Adult Classes Mari Sensei is a teacher for the Adult Program. |
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Shuka Park — Teaching Assistant Shuka san assists Azumi Sensei in the Kindergarten classes. |