Kanako Suwa
諏訪 佳奈子
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 for Chaing Mai International School.
Teaching Experiences
August 2022 - current: Chiang Mai International School
K-12 EAL Coordinator / coach
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
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.
Bonus episode with Michael Sullivan!
In this bonus episode with Mike, we talk about how parents can support TCKs / queer TCKs better in their homes and during transitions.
Global Cktizens interview with Calvin
In my first ever interview, Calvin and I chat about my upbringing as a Third Culture Kid and how I ended up in Vietnam as an international educator.
Board member (2019 - 2024)
Communications and Social Media management
Monthly newsletters, social media posts, corresponding with members
Organising #ELLSAPD and ELLSA Conference
Create and update the website
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Special Education Network and Inclusion Association (SENIA)
Special Education Network and Inclusion Association (SENIA)
Podcast Manager (2020 - current)
Transcribe podcast episodes
Find and invite guests to the podcast
Post the podcast on the website
Video submission check and edits for annual virtual conference
Tech support for annual virtual conference
TCK Global
Cockpit Crew member (2020 - 2024)
Discord, Instagram, and WhatsApp
Themed calls on Discord
In-person meet ups
EduSpark
Online PD Platform for educators
Course on Third Culture Kids: Don't Ask Me Where I'm From - free for a while!