Nominee for Director of Program

Statement of Purpose

With the new structure of separate directorships for conference and program, I am thrilled to take on the role of director of program and focus on promoting diverse and inclusive programming that showcases the best that JALT has to offer. I am also committed to fostering the growth of up-and-coming language researchers and educators. Through ongoing initiatives such as reworking the presenter’s list to be more accessible and informative, I have been working to support program chairs in their endeavors.

My primary goal as director of program is to serve and support our program chairs by representing their interests at the director level. Through collaboration and open communication, we can create programming that is relevant, engaging, and forward-thinking. By working together, we can highlight the latest research in language education and promote the professional development of language educators throughout Japan.

大会ディレクターとプログラムディレクターが分離された新体制のもと、私はプログラムディレクターの役割として、JALTが提供する最高のものを紹介する多様で包括的なプログラムの推進に力を注ぐことに興奮します。また、新進気鋭の言語研究者や教育者の育成にも尽力します。また、発表者リストをよりわかりやすくすることなどの継続的な取り組みを通じて、プログラム・チェアの活動を支援しています。

プログラム・ディレクターとしての私の第一の目標は、ディレクターレベルでプログラム・チェアの利益を代表することで、プログラム・チェアに仕え、サポートすることです。コラボレーションとオープンなコミュニケーションを通じて、私たちは、適切で、魅力的で、先進的なプログラムを作成することができると思っております。協力することで、言語教育における最新の研究を紹介し、日本中の言語教育者の専門的な能力開発を促進することができるのです。

Education and Employment

After graduating from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a BA in General Studies and a minor in Language and Culture, I took the TESL Certificate program through Trinity Western University before heading to Japan to teach on the JET Programme. After three years of teaching in senior high schools, I became the prefectural advisor for Kyoto and took on a more administrative and support role for other assistant language teachers. Currently, I am working at Reitaku University in Chiba and working toward my M.Ed in TESOL online through the University of British Columbia.

クワントレン・ポリテクニック大学で一般教養専門（言語文化副専攻）の学士号を取得後、トリニティー・ウェスタン大学でTESL認定書を取得し、JETプログラムで教えるために日本へ渡りました。高校で3年間教えた後、京都府のアドバイザーになり、より管理的で他のアシスタント語学教師のサポートをする役割を担うようになりました。現在は、千葉県にある麗澤大学で働きながら、ブリティッシュコロンビア大学のオンラインでのTESOLのM.Ed（教育学修士号）取得を目指しています。

JALT Experience

I joined JALT in 2019 and became the co-chair of program for the Kyoto chapter, where I worked closely with the Kyoto executive team to hold events throughout the pandemic. I have also worked with the previous director of program, Wayne Malcom, as program liaison for the last year, and was previously a member of the Regional Professional Activities Committee. I am currently a member of the Student Peer Interaction Network Subcommittee (SPINS), which recently held its inaugural Student Symposium.

2019年にJALTに入会し、京都支部のプログラム共同責任者となり、京都の執行部と連携してパンデミック中イベントを開催してきました。また、昨年からプログラム・リエゾンとして前任のプログラム・ディレクターであるウェイン・マルコム氏と協力しており、地域専門活動委員会のメンバーでもありました。現在は、学生ピア・インタラクション・ネットワーク分科会（SPINS）のメンバーで、最近、第1回学生シンポジウムを開催しました。

Nominee for Director of Conference

Statement of Purpose

The Director of Conference is a new position, with a simple mandate – organize an engaging conference. While my primary duty will be to oversee the JALT conference and materials exhibition that usually takes place in November, I will of course need the help of many volunteers for this mandate to be successful. Since 2019, I have been dealing with the planning of the conference and recruiting volunteers. I feel the teams I have worked with have been some of the best. I will continue to empower people to play a vital role in putting on JALT’s marquee event.

I look forward to working with the conference planning committee and greater JALT community to bring new programs to the conference so that it can be beneficial to a wider community. I also would like to expand the range of venues that JALT uses when it comes to the conference. In 2022 we held our conference in Fukuoka City, for the first time. I believe to bring value to our large community, we need to take the conference to new places. I would also like to use this position as a bridge to other JALT conference organizers to help share resources and knowledge. Thousands of people make up JALT, and with that a large amount of expertise. Some have been organizing SIG conferences and Chapter events for many years. I would like to learn from, as well as have them learn from the national conference.

Finally, as this is a new position on the board of directors, many of the duties in the By-laws and Standing Rules will need to be written down and expanded upon. I intend to create a manual for future Directors of Conference to use and expand. I look forward to working with many people in creating a position that will be a key to success for JALT.

Education, Employment and JALT Experience

Originally from Cornwall, New York in the United States, I have been living in Japan since September 2002. Over the many years, I have taught English in various areas of the language teaching community – at college and university, and to younger learners (elementary school) and senior learners.

My education profile is diverse in that I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While living and working in Japan I gained a Masters of Management in International Management then a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership specializing in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies.

I joined JALT in March 2008 and since then have held various positions. I have been a Chapter President, Program Chair, Publicity Chair, Treasurer, JALT Business Manager, and JALT Director of Program. In these capacities I have been a continuous presence at Executive Board Meetings and local events; doing the business of JALT.

When I am not in a classroom teaching, or doing JALT work, I can probably be found running, listening to/playing music, watching stuff, or hanging out with my wife and daughter. The simple things!

Bio:

I am an assistant professor at Jissen Women’s University. My research interests include formative speaking assessment, multilingualism, and TBLT. I have been a member of JALT since 2014 and have served in various SIGs and committees. I was CUE SIG Membership Co-Chair in 2016, and the Journal Distribution Coordinator in 2018. I joined the JALT Material Writers’ SIG as a Member-at-Large in 2021. In 2020 I became a JALT Writers’ Peer Support Group member and now serve as its chair. I also co-edit the Language Teacher’s Writers’ Workshop column. Other non-Japan-based organizations where I have volunteered include KOTESOL and IISES. Much of my work there included conference support. I did online zoom hosting, video curating, film submission screenings, and session chairing.

Statement of Purpose:

If elected to the NEC, I intend to work with the other committee members to organize JALT elections. I hope to continue the work started by previous NEC members towards improving workflow and efficiency for the committee.

Bio:

Hello. My name is Shannon Miyamoto and I am a teacher based in the Kansai area working with young children as well as adult EFL learners. I attended JALT last year in Fukuoka and presented as part of the Graduate Student Showcase. I went by myself and felt a bit uneasy at first, but was really impressed by the environment of welcoming educators and researchers, and learned so much from different presentations I attended. I am a member of the Osaka chapter of JALT and involved with the Literature in Language Teaching SIG as well as the Student Peer Interaction Network.

Statement of Purpose:

I am interested in running for this position because I would like to be more involved with the JALT community and be of service if I can.