Monday, October 04, 2021

Yoko Kano, senior lecturer in the UNCW Department of World Languages and Cultures and coordinator of the Japanese studies minor, is the recipient of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese 2021 Teacher Award in the college level category. The award recognizes innovative teaching, service to the profession and the community, and advocacy for Japanese language education.

A UNCW faculty member since 1996, Kano has been instrumental in building UNCW’s Japanese studies minor program. She has led more than 200 students and more than 100 K-12 educators and administrators to Japan as part of study abroad programs. She serves as the director of UNCW World Language Resource Center, director of the North Carolina Teaching Asia Network and director of Japan Center-Coastal Chapter.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious national award,” said Kano. “I have the privilege of working with my students in their challenge to learn Japanese, and I admire their dedication, effort and contributions to the world. I have been so fortunate to observe their growth as well as my own.”

In 2020, Kano received the Southeastern Association of Teachers of Japanese Teacher of the Year Award. She will be presented the American Association of Teachers of Japanese 2021 Teacher Award during a virtual ceremony later this year. 

-- G. Guthrie

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