Aloha and Konichiwa,

My name is Naomi Era and it’s great to meet you! I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. I am fluent in English and Japanese.  My mother is American and my father is Japanese. I have a younger brother as well and they all still live in Japan. Most of my family are teachers and I came from a teacher’s background. My mom is currently an English professor who works at the University of Japan and my dad is a retired English high school teacher. My brother also works at the University of Japan.

I learned how to swim when I was two and later decided to teach swimming to children two years old and up. After a few years of doing that, I changed professions and became a teacher’s aide at an international preschool in Japan. We taught the children how to read and write English and also prepared their meals. I stayed there for a few years and decided it was time to follow in my family’s footsteps and become a teacher. I decided to get my infant and toddlers Associate’s degree in Hawaii. It took me six years of hard work but I finally got my degree and felt so proud to have finally earned it! While I was in college, I signed up to work with Honolulu Community College. They had a preschool in the community college (Keiki o ka aina). I learned more about how Japanese and American schools differ. It was there that I learned what my teaching style was going to be.

I have a wonderful husband named Robert who is a local Hawaiian boy from the island of Oahu. We got married in 2018 and live in a quiet condo right down the street from the University of Hawaii. Currently I work at a preschool in Hawaii Kai (Niu Valley). I am having an amazing time being a teacher to two-year-olds. In my free time I read a lot, watch movies, swim in my condo pool, and occasionally go to the ocean to relax. I also like to walk a lot.

I love to cook using all types of recipes. I like to listen and dance to music. I’m very responsible at my job and I take it very seriously while also having fun. I love teaching children new things because I learn things about myself while doing it. I adore what I do and I try my best.

I am very thankful that I have this opportunity to connect with your children. I look forward to working with them and creating some fun, engaging, and educational activities during the time I am with them.

Mahalo and Arigato,

Naomi Era