JALT Board of Directors

President

Steve Brown

Professor at Faculty of Letters, Konan Women’s University, Kobe.

After teaching English and drama at a high school in Yorkshire, England, Steve Brown worked for a touring theatre company before turning to EFL and, after a year in Kuwait, came to Japan in 1984. The advance of middle-age continues to convince him that the best way to make things happen is to be patient and give people the space to grow and be themselves. He enjoys reading, music, theatre and just being with people.
His JALT background includes...

2000—2003: Coordinator, Learner Development SIG
2002: SIG Liaison
2002: National Conference Facilities Chair
2003: National Conference Site Chair
2004: National Conference Programme Chair
JALT President since 2004

Vice–President

Cynthia Keith

C.E.O. J B Consulting Ltd

Cynthia Keith first dreamt at the age of 12 of coming to Japan to teach English. At age 22 she made her first trip to Japan, really fell in love, and she has been living her dream in Japan for the past 14 years. She is loving every bit of it! In her free time she runs an English Bookstore, is local secretary of the Kyushu Centre of Cambrigde ESOL Exams, and fools around at karaoke. Known by her family as "the hot headed one" she is very passionate about what she does and what she chooses to support. Cynthia lives in Kagoshima and can be found Friday nights at one of the relaxing onsens in the area.
Her JALT background includes...

2003 Kagoshima Chapter Vice–President
2004—2006 Kagoshima Chapter President
2004 National 4 Corners Tour Coordinator
2005 National Chapter Treasurer Liaison
2006 National Conference Programme Chair

Auditor

Tadashi Ishida

Instructor, community centers sponsored by the Taito Ward Board of Education in Tokyo.

For more than 20 years, Tadashi Ishida has been teaching English to senior citizens. He thinks that in terms of lifelong learning, the main factor to determine how successful English education is in the future of Japan depends on cultivating exceptional English teaching professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in cross-cultural understanding. JALT is a model international community for cross-cultural understanding because the membership is evenly split between Japanese and non-Japanese. This is a reason why he founded the lifelong language learning SIG in JALT.
著書：はじめよう！生きがいとしての英語（春風社刊）
His JALT background includes...

5 years as National Vice President including 5 months as Acting President
One year as Coordinator of TOL SIG
2 years as Auditor

Director of Membership

Ann Mayeda

Lecturer, Osaka Shoin Women’s University

Ann Mayeda came to Japan on a whim after graduating from university and not wanting to get a ‘real’ job. Nineteen years, a husband, a home, a child, a dog, and several job incarnations later (not necessarily in that order), she finds herself completely involved in finding the best ways to motivate each and every one of her students in the EFL world. When not attending to work, family or JALT matters, you can find her out boating in the beautiful waters off the coast of Washington.
Her JALT background includes...

Nara Chapter President (2005—present)
Nara Chapter Membership Chair (2003—2004)

Director of Program

Philip McCasland

Associate Professor, Faculty of Economic and Business Administration, Fukushima University

Phil McCasland arrived in Japan in the spring of 1997 after a one-year stint in Chong Ju, South Korea and graduate school in Southern California. Here a gypsy life developed with moves every two or three years. Home has been Nara, South Osaka, Hiratsuka (Kanaagawa) and most recently Fukushima City (Tohoku), where he is still settling in and hoping, as is his family, to call home permanently. When not at work in the office, Phil might be found reading, gardening, cycling, or in the winter, skiing—often in the company of his young daughters. JALT remains a most time consuming hobby; yet one that stimulates, motivates, and, more often than not, drives. His current research interests include: extensive reading, literature circles, and building reading communities.
His JALT background includes...

College and University Educators (CUE) SIG Coordinator—2003 to 2006
Mini–conference Program Co–chair, The Kobe Conference 2003
CUE SIG Treasurer—2001 to 2003

Director of Public Relations

Sayoko Yamashita

Professor, International Student Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Pragmatics SIG co–founder and Coordinator 1999—2004
JALT Journal Japanese Editor 2000—2004
SIG liaison 2002—2004
Tokyo Chapter Board Member since 2004
representative for Japan Science Council 2003—2006
JALT Director of Public Relations since 2004

Director of Records

Donna Tatsuki

Associate Professor, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies

Before coming to Japan 20 years ago with her husband Shigeo and infant son, Donna studied opera at University of Toronto. In order to sing in five languages, she started taking various linguistics course as well as language classes. Eventually the balance tipped and Donna started studying linguistics and teaching ESL courses to learners of all ages full time. Singing, theater and other creative pursuits are still part of Donna's life—we all need to get away from the computer sometime!!!
Her JALT background includes...

Acting Director of Records since February 2006
JALT Journal Editor 2002—2004; Associate Editor 2001—2002
Pragmatics SIG Newsletter Editor (1999—2004), Publications Chair (2004—present)
Video SIG Swap Shop section Editor, (1989—1991), Coordinator (1992—1993)

Director of Treasury

Kevin Ryan

Associate Professor, Showa Women’s University

Kevin Ryan has taught for 30 years in places like Barcelona, Chicago, Nanking and Tokyo. He is an Associate Professor at Showa Women's University in Tokyo. His research interests include SLA and CALL, currently he is working on input frequency and language software, along with podcasting. He lives in Kawasaki with his wife and two wonderful teenage daughters (they still talk to him). JALT has been his hobby for the last 20 years, along with string bass, sports kites, bicycling, and watching too many movies.
His JALT background includes...

Tokyo Chapter: various positions in mid–90s, first multi–day chapter events
CALL SIG newsletter editor, VP and President (twice).
EME Coordinator (except Nara) since 2002
Business Manager (2005—2006)