Bob Hope educators take part in exchange with Ginowan City teachers
OKINAWA, Japan — Japanese and Department of War Education Activity educators came together on Jan. 29 for a cross-cultural teacher exchange at Hagoromo Elementary School, an event jointly organized in partnership with Ginowan City Board of Education.
The day began with a tour of the school and classroom observations, offering participants a firsthand look at daily instruction. Educators then joined a joint lesson showcasing English presentations by students, who shared insights into Japanese and Okinawan culture.
Distinguished visitors also took part, listening to student presentations, asking questions, and providing feedback. Visitors included Ambassador in Charge of Okinawan Affairs Mr. Kiya Masahiko, Deputy Chief of the Okinawa Liaison Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Ms. Shinohara Ryoko, DoW Education Activity Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jayme Linton, Pacific South District Community Superintendent Mr. Craig Maxey, and Pacific South District Chief of Staff Dr. Vann Lassiter.
The afternoon included a professional discussion where teachers compared instructional practices, student engagement approaches, and assessment methods used in Japanese and DoW Education Activity classrooms.
Bob Hope Elementary School Principal Kris Kwiatek, who attended the exchange, emphasized the value of participating in this unique exchange partnership.
“This exchange gives our educators an opportunity to grow professionally while developing relationships with host nation teachers,” Kwiatek said. “In sharing ideas and working together, our teachers have discovered new practices to support student learning.”
The Jan. 29 exchange follows an earlier visit on Oct. 30, when the Pacific South District welcomed 10 Ginowan City teachers to Bob Hope Elementary School. That visit centered on teacher-led learning and discussions on best practices in the classroom. Guests received an overview of DoW Education Activity’s instructional and grading systems before touring the 21st-century school facility.
During the tour, Japanese educators noted features unique to the campus, including its open-concept neighborhood classrooms, dedicated staff collaboration rooms, and flexible furnishings designed to support student-centered learning.
Bob Hope Elementary looks forward to continuing this partnership for the third year during the 2026-27 school year.
