310-324-6611
GVJCI
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        • Artists A-H
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    • Member Organizations >
      • Arts/Music/Dance >
        • Bando Hidesomi
        • Hawaiian Music Class
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        • Meito Calligraphy
        • Mel's Ukulele Picking
        • Taiko
      • Health and Wellness >
        • Kokoro Yoga
        • Meditation & More Class
      • Martial Arts >
        • Gardena JCI Kendo
        • Gardena Judo Club
        • Gardena Kendo
        • Gardena Naginata
        • Shotokan Karate
        • Shorinji Kempo
        • Kyudo Renmei
      • Service >
        • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
      • Sports >
        • Sansei Baseball League
        • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
        • South Bay Youth Basketball
      • Youth >
        • Resources
        • Boy Scout Troop 683
        • Boy Scout Troop 719
  • Rentals
  • Blog
    • Blog Terms of Use
    • Want to write for us?
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Follow Us on Social Media!
    • Join Our Email List
    • Resources
    • Testimonies/PR
  • Donate
  • How to Help
    • Become a Friend of the GVJCI
    • Donate Your Car!
    • Shop on Amazon
    • Volunteer
    • Purchase a 2021 Calendar Ad
  • DOR
    • DOR 2021 >
      • CSUDH Japanese American Digitization Project
      • Densho Campu Podcast
      • Lane Ryo Hirabayashi Tribute
      • South Bay JACL Oral Histories Collection
      • Tanka Poetry
  • Events/Programs/Classes
    • GVJCI >
      • Adulting Workshop Series
      • Be the Match Drive-Thru Donor Registry Event
      • The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center >
        • Book Club
      • Drive-Thru Restaurant Fundraiser
      • GVJCI Scholarship
      • Hinamatsuri & Kodomo No Hi
      • Japanese Language School >
        • JLS Graduates
      • Manzanar Immersive
      • Oysters, Bites & Biiru
      • Seniors >
        • TNK Online Classes
        • Online Smartphone Class
        • Food Distribution >
          • Greeting Card Program
        • Online Resources
        • Tomo Cafe | 友カフェ
        • Bento Program
      • TANOSHII Fun Camp >
        • Camper Registration
        • Counselor Registration
        • Testimonials
        • Camp Supporters
        • Activities
        • FAQ
      • Tomodachi Online Baking Workshops
      • Virtual Matsuri >
        • Art Gallery
        • Entertainment
        • Food
        • Martial Arts
        • Scholarship Recipients
      • 2020 Online Art Show >
        • Artist Discussion & Performances
        • Artists A-H
        • Artists I-L
        • Artists M-S
        • Artists T-Z
    • Member Organizations >
      • Arts/Music/Dance >
        • Bando Hidesomi
        • Hawaiian Music Class
        • LA Men's Glee Club
        • Meito Calligraphy
        • Mel's Ukulele Picking
        • Taiko
      • Health and Wellness >
        • Kokoro Yoga
        • Meditation & More Class
      • Martial Arts >
        • Gardena JCI Kendo
        • Gardena Judo Club
        • Gardena Kendo
        • Gardena Naginata
        • Shotokan Karate
        • Shorinji Kempo
        • Kyudo Renmei
      • Service >
        • Evening Optimist Club of Gardena
      • Sports >
        • Sansei Baseball League
        • South Bay F.O.R Junior Sports Association
        • South Bay Youth Basketball
      • Youth >
        • Resources
        • Boy Scout Troop 683
        • Boy Scout Troop 719
  • Rentals
  • Blog
    • Blog Terms of Use
    • Want to write for us?

MEET THE TEACHERS

Both of our ESL teachers are TEFL-certified with practicum experience teaching at the American Language Institute at California State University, Long Beach.

Aki Izumi

Stephanie Mayeda

Picture
Picture
Hello, everyone! My name is Aki Izumi. After graduating from the
Japanese high school, I moved to the US to go to university, got my BA in
Spanish, and worked for one of the Japanese distribution companies in LA
as a Sales Representative for over 16 years. I have a 6-month solo
backpacking experience, traveled to more than 20 different countries
throughout my life, helped the seniors as a hospice volunteer, and regularly
visited and helped the children at the orphanage in Mexico. I really enjoy
Latin dancing, boxing training, and hiking. I always live such an active life!
Being able to speak English has changed ​my life positively and drastically. I
look forward to not only teach English, but also create a positive impact in
your life.
​
皆さんこんにちは! 泉亜希と申します。 日本の高校を卒業後大学への
進学を機に渡米し、スペイン語の学士号を取得しました。その後、LAの日
系企業で営業として16年以上働きました。6ヶ月間のひとり旅を含め、
今まで世界20ヵ国以上旅し、ホスピスでのボランティア、メキシコの孤
児院の定期訪問のボランティア活動も行ってきました。ラテンダンスを踊
ることをはじめ、ボクシングトレーニングやハイキングが大好きで、常に
アクティブな生活をしています。英語を話せるようになり、私の人生は劇
的に変わりました。今回英語を教えさせて頂くことを通して、皆さんがア
メリカでの生活をより楽しめるようお手伝いできたらと思います。
View My ePortfolio
​As a TEFL-certified educator, I have worked with various levels of English learners from beginner to advanced and always make communication and interaction the cornerstones of my teaching. I enjoy giving back and volunteering my time at my local Japanese community center where we teach and connect people with Japanese culture. I especially love teaching young children about various Japanese holidays and traditions.

​When I’m not teaching or volunteering, I like to spend my time learning new songs on my ukulele, finding treasures at my local thrift stores, or watching old movies from the 50’s and 60’s.
View My ePortfolio

Come and visit!

GVJCI's Mission and Vision

Our mission is to create a space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture.

The GVJCI envisions a vibrant network and a welcoming space for all persons interested in Japanese heritage and culture where history and tradition are honored, people are inspired to create action and change, and cultural pride and respect for all humanity are promoted.




​

Contact Us

 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena, CA, 90247  |     (310) 324-6611    |      info@jci-gardena.org
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9 AM - 5 PM