Kanako Suwa
諏訪佳奈子

Looking to get into international teaching? Check out this presentation for an overview of how to get started!

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About me

Dedicated & passionate educator of multilingual learners. Japanese, Third Culture Kid & proud alumna of international schools. Born, raised, and educated in Japan, Taipei, and Boston. Fluent in Japanese and English, conversational in Mandarin.

Currently working as the EAL Coordinator and HS Learning Support teacher (HoD) for Chaing Mai International School.

Teaching Experiences

August 2022 - current: Chiang Mai International School

K-12 EAL Coordinator
Head of Department: Learning Support
HS Learning Support Teacher
Student Council Advisor
Gender and Sexuality Alliance Advisor
U8/U10/U12/U15/U18 Swim Team Coach
U8/U10/U12 Track & Field Coach (supervision coordinator)

August 2017 - June 2022: American International School Vietnam

EAL co-teacher / coach
Elementary EAL Team Leader
Taught KG, G2, G4, G5
G3-12 Swim Team Coach

Education History

2023 - 2025: Virtual

AIEOC DEIJ Leadership Certification Course, Cohort 1 member

2019 - 2021: Endicott College, Boston, MA, USA

M.Ed in International Education

2013 - 2017: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

Bilingual Education
ESL Pre-K - 6 License from MA
School of Education Undergraduate Student Government President

2010 - 2013: Doshisha International High School, Kyoto, Japan

2005 - 2010: Taipei American School, Taipei, Taiwan

Media Appearances & Community Involvement

The Coming Out Monologues - a monologue in which queer educators reflect and share their stories.

In this episode, I reflect on coming to terms with my queerness, having an Asian family, and how COVID19 travel restrictions helped me feel more secure in my identities.

Identity Talk for Educators Live with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

Kanako Suwa shares her life as an international educator and her journey as a third culture kid living in Japan, Taipei, and Boston. She also breaks down the nuances and complexities that she has experienced in her identity journey as a queer, multilingual Japanese woman.

AIELOC Webinar: LBGTQIA+ and International Schools

In this community webinar, Sulwyn Garcia and I share what it's like working as queer teacher in international schools and make suggestions towards queer inclusive practices.

Where Are You From podcast with Michael Sullivan

In this episode, Mike and I chat about our Third Cultlure Kids experiences and my journey to becoming an international educator, as well as my identity as a queer woman.

the way home podcast with karen

In this episode, we discuss supporting tcks at school, having difficult conversations with our parents, and defining home as something more than a location.