Allan Kastiro

Teaching has always been more than just a profession for me. It is a passion that drives me to inspire and empower my students. With over nine years of experience teaching in Japan, I have had the privilege of working with students from diverse backgrounds, helping them grow both linguistically and personally. My approach to teaching is centered on patience, encouragement, and fostering a classroom environment where students feel confident to express themselves, make mistakes, and learn from them.

One of the key strengths I bring to the classroom is my ability to create engaging, interactive, and fun lessons. I strongly believe that learning should be an adventure. Each lesson should feel like a journey into the unknown, sparking curiosity and excitement. To achieve this, I incorporate games, activities, role-playing, and storytelling into my lessons, ensuring that students stay motivated and eager to participate. Through dynamic teaching methods, I aim to instill a love for learning in my students.

I also take pride in my ability to connect with students on a personal level. I actively support their ideas and dreams, offering different perspectives to help them think critically about the world around them. By fostering a safe and encouraging environment, I enable my students to develop confidence while instilling important values such as perseverance, open-mindedness, and global citizenship. Every child has the potential to succeed, and my goal as an educator is to help them recognize and unlock that potential.

I also bring a diverse set of skills and interests that enhance my teaching. My love for the arts, music, cinema, and sports (particularly soccer and rugby) allows me to incorporate creative elements into my lessons, making learning more dynamic and relatable. I frequently use music and storytelling as tools to engage students, helping them cultivate a deeper appreciation for cultural expressions. Sports, on the other hand, provide a fantastic way to teach teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, values that translate well into both learning and life beyond the classroom.

While my Japanese proficiency is at a conversational level, I have developed a strong understanding of Japanese culture and classroom dynamics, allowing me to effectively connect with my students. I understand the challenges Japanese learners face when studying English, such as hesitation in speaking, fear of making mistakes, and differences in sentence structure, and I tailor my lessons to help them overcome these hurdles. My patient and supportive approach reassures students that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and that progress comes through persistence and practice.

I am an outgoing and team-oriented individual, always eager to collaborate with colleagues, parents, and students to create a positive and supportive learning environment. I understand the importance of strong communication skills, both in the classroom and in working closely with parents as partners in their child’s education. I make sure to update parents on student progress and provide guidance on how they can support English learning at home, ensuring that students receive encouragement both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to my teaching expertise, I bring flexibility and adaptability, which are crucial when working with students of diverse backgrounds. Every child learns differently, and I continuously refine my teaching strategies to meet the needs of each individual student. Whether through visual aids, interactive storytelling, group discussions, or hands-on activities, I strive to make learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful.

Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to inspire students to love learning, and to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. I am excited for the opportunity to bring my energy, experience, and dedication to the International School of Tokyo, and I look forward to making a meaningful impact on my students’ educational journeys. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, it is about shaping futures, broadening perspectives, and empowering young minds to reach their full potential.