HIS Niseko Teachers & Staff
HIS Niseko aims to provide students with the highest caliber teaching professionals available. To this end, HIS Niseko hires only fully licensed teachers who are trained in their field of expertise. Annually, the HIS Head of School and the Niseko Principal will assess the hiring needs of the school and select candidates in a process that can stretch over many months. This culminates with the Head of School and the HIS Niseko Principal interviewing candidates who meet HIS requirements for employment and who can best deliver the school’s curriculum. HIS Niseko endeavors to hire teachers who value collaboration and will stimulate the entire HIS Niseko School community with new ideas and educational perspectives.
Introducing the HIS Niseko Teachers
Hokkaido International School is pleased to introduce the very experienced and dedicated teachers who will be leading classes and learning at the HIS Niseko School.
Niseko School Principal
Ms. Margaret (Peggy) Shibuya
Peggy Shibuya received a BS in Elementary Education and began her teaching career in the United States. In 1989, she moved to Japan with her husband Hiroshi and has taught at HIS for the past 20 years. She holds an MA in Education from Heidelberg College in Ohio and has attended professional development training on ‘Leading the Learning Focused School’. Besides teaching elementary classes, she has served as Elementary Coordinator, a leader in the Curriculum Team, and since the adoption of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in 2005, she has coordinated its use at HIS. Peggy enjoys challenging long distance rides on her mountain bike while enjoying Hokkaido’s gorgeous nature, completing jigsaw puzzles, reading, music, sports of all kinds, and keeping in touch with family and friends. She is honored and excited to be leading the learning at the HIS Niseko School.
Early Years (PreK - K)
Mr. Merek Sinclair
Merek Sinclair is from Australia and first graduated with Honours in Asian Studies at the Adelaide University specializing in Japanese Language. His first long experience in Japan was through an exchange program at the Kansai Gaikokugo University in Kansai. After graduating university he became an ESL teacher in Japan, and has taught at many schools across Sapporo and throughout all year levels. Having recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning from Charles Darwin University and extended training at Hokkaido International School he is looking forward to meeting the Niseko community. For the past 6 years Merek and his partner have been coaching and competing professionally in national and international Ballroom dance competitions. When Merek has time he likes to take a walk in nature and search for something new!
Primary Years (Grades 1 - 3)
Mr. Eugene Sim
Eugene Sim has 12 years of teaching experience, at public schools in Singapore and Hokkaido and at international schools in Osaka and Tokyo. He completed his MA in Primary Education with the University of Leicester in early 2010. Among the many things that he likes to do, he enjoys outdoor activities and sports the most, particularly running, cycling, scuba-diving, snowboarding and swimming. His new-found hobby is photography. Eugene is eagerly looking forward to learning and playing together with the students at the new Niseko School.
Intermediate Class (Grades 4 - 6)
Mr. Justin Gambino
Justin Gambino is from the US and graduated from Hope College in Michigan with B.A. in Education. He later received a M.A. in Education with an emphasis on reading instruction. Over the last decade, he has taught grades K-5 in Michigan including four years of multi-age experience in a High/Scope-based elementary school. His love for travel and experiencing new cultures has inspired ESL jobs in Finland, Nicaragua, and most recently at Colegio Santa Cruz in Santiago, Chile. He enjoys composing, recording and performing music, the outdoors, and spending quality time with friends and family.
HIS Niseko Staff
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Kyoko Senzai
Kyoko Senzai has attended educational institutions in multiple countries including Japan, Australia, and Canada. She received a diploma from Langara College in Canada. She has years of experience working as an administrative staff at multi-national corporations and international organizations including Honda and JODC (an NPO helping developing countries in Asia, subsidized by the Japanese Government). She also has experience teaching English at various schools in Japan. Kyoko has a truly international background, and also will be bringing the cultural essence and atmosphere over from HIS Sapporo campus where she has been an active community member for the past two and a half years.
