Tomoko Takami (Post-secondary category)
Koji Otani (K-12 category)
Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 2019 AATJ Teacher Awards. The AATJ Teacher Awards recognize outstanding teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, advocacy, and leadership in Japanese education both locally and nationally. AATJ presented the awards to the winner at the AATJ Awards Luncheon during the 2019 ACTFL Annual Convention in Washington, DC.
Tomoko Takami, University of Pennsylvania
Takami sensei has been with the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania since 1996, where she has served as the Director of the Japanese Language Program for the past six years. She served as National Japanese Exam Director and Board member, founding chair of the Japanese for Specific Purposes SIG, and is the current Co-chair of the Japanese Language and Culture Development Committee. Takami sensei has also distinguished herself as a leader in the field of business Japanese instruction and has authored numerous publications on the topic. She is also in demand around the world as a presenter and trainer. She was just elected to serve a 2-year term as AATJ President-Elect/President.
Koji Otani, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Virginia
Over the past 21 years of teaching at both the elementary and high school levels, Otani sensei has dedicated himself not just to the teaching Japanese to his own students, but also to creating rich opportunities outside of the classroom for all students of Japanese through exchange programs and cultural experiences. He has also been instrumental in leading efforts to provide opportunities for learners to showcase their skills through the Japan Bowl, J-Live Talk speech contest, and J-Learn (Japanese Language Advocacy and Resource Network). Otani sensei has also served as co-chair of the AP Japanese Language and Culture Development Committee since 2014, and served for nine years as an officer of MAATJ, first as secretary, then as co-president.
