Meet the Staff at St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s International School has welcomed a new face to its faculty this year: Eri Kajita, the new B1 Japanese teacher. Wanting to be closer to her home and her children, she transferred from Nishimachi International School. Ms. Kajita now brings her experience and passion for teaching to the SMIS community starting in the 2025-26 school year.

Outside of school, Ms. Kajita enjoys scuba diving and dining out, as well as having a background in karate from her youth. When asked about her teaching goals, she explained, “As a teacher, I want to see my students reading more [Japanese literature].” Describing herself as both a perfectionist and an optimist, she hopes to engage her students in Japanese culture in the classroom. Whether it be old or modern, Ms. Kajita states that “exposure to the diverse Japanese culture” is the best way to better her students’ abilities and develop their interests in the foreign language.

Amiable and approachable, Ms. Kajita also shared that if she ever met one of her students outside of school, she would kindly greet them with a warm smile and an equally friendly greeting. “As a mother myself,” she states, “I would be [delighted] to see my students both inside and outside the classroom.” With her experience and enthusiasm, she is ready to make a positive impact on the SMIS community.