Anne Boudreau

EY Teacher, Sapporo Campus, since May 2021

Tell us about your background.

I was born in Canada and grew up in a French-speaking town in the province of New Brunswick. After graduating I moved to Toronto and lived there for several years while completing my university studies.  I am fluently bilingual in French and English and have been adding new languages to my repertoire over the years, like Spanish, some Italian, and most recently Japanese.

Why does teaching internationally appeal to you?

Growing up, I truly benefited and grew through travel experiences and student exchanges.  Once I became a teacher, it felt natural to explore the world while doing what I love, which is helping very young children start their learning journey at school.  I've been teaching for over 20 years and continue to find purpose and meaning in this work on a daily basis.  

What is your approach to teaching and learning?

I've been fortunate to have been able to work with some amazing mentor teachers and colleagues over the years which have helped me learn and grow into the teacher I am today.  Early on, the IB Primary Years Program was very influential in my professional development and I continue to believe that inquiry and putting the learners at the center of the learning is essential for learning to happen.  Along the way, I encountered the Reggio Emilia approach which helped me develop a much more holistic and respectful image of the child.  By believing that children are capable learners, able to think deeply and make meaning of the world, my practice deepened and I became an advocate for children as change agents and citizens with a voice.  More recently, I have been integrating outdoor education into my teaching as well and believe that it is very important for young children to have access to the outdoors, rain or shine, and have time and space to develop an ecological identity.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I really enjoy spending time in nature and wish I had more time for that.  I enjoy dancing and listening to music, as well as watching biographical documentaries, mostly about artists.   I was recently introduced to Animal Crossing New Horizon on Nintendo Switch and got hooked!  When I'm on holiday, I love to start a new jigsaw puzzle and rearrange the furniture in my house :)

Your impressions of HIS and Hokkaido.

I was very interested in HIS because of its focus on outdoor education.  Once I got to Hokkaido, I realized how similar it was to Canada because of the four seasons, and felt immediately at home.  My family and I have been enjoying the many gifts of living in Hokkaido like the local food, beautiful scenery and parks, and all the wonderful places to enjoy winter sports. 

For those looking for work in Japan...

I have been working in Japan on and off for approximately 13 years and finding work here is relatively easy if you are flexible and willing to work anywhere.  I find one gets most of their experience here if they make an effort to socialize outside of the immediate school community and find local people to spend time with.