• Specialist in Educational Technology
• University IT Systems Manager
• Instructional Designer & Visual Artist
• English Language Instructor
I grew up in the southern Appalachian Mountains of the Carolinas, dividing my time between Greenville, South Carolina, and Brevard, North Carolina. I enjoyed baseball, basketball, hiking, and fishing, and I grew up in a family of classical musicians. The arts have been a lifelong passion, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in art from Furman University.
After graduating, I moved to southern Japan to teach English, study the Japanese language, and explore Japanese art and crafts. Following five rewarding years there, I pursued an M.A. in Second Language Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where I also taught English for the university’s Hawai’i English Language Program. In 2014, I returned to Japan and taught English at Tokyo International University from 2015 to 2021. Altogether, I have over 15 years of experience teaching English to speakers of other languages.
From 2021 to 2025, I helped to update and expand the technological resources of Tokyo International University as the Chief Staff of IT Systems and head of the IT Office at the university’s new campus in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy making music and art, studying foreign languages, and spending time in nature. I am happiest when reading books, watching good films, or traveling somewhere new. I have two children with my wife, Satoko, and we love doing all these things together.
I value building strong relationships with colleagues and students, and I am committed to supporting them always, not only in their academic goals but also in their personal growth. Whether before or after class, or even years later, I welcome all questions, conversations, and connections.
My Favorite Things:
International Relations, Diplomacy, & Cultural Exchange [US Department of State; Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Cultural Exchange Programs ; Study Abroad] Classical Guitar, Singing, & Music Appreciation [Assad Brothers ; John Williams ; Brevard Music Center; Opera; The Grand Ole Opry; Bluegrass; Hip Hop; Rock; Singer-Song Writer; Jazz; Heavy Metal; Blues; Country Music; EDM; Reggae; Musical Theatre; Broadway; Gospel; World Music; Folk Music] Japanese Archery, Baseball, & Basketball [日本弓道連盟; American Kyudo Renmei; Atlanta Braves; NC Tarheels; MLB Hall of Fame] Hiking, Traveling, Bed & Breakfasts [Countries I Have Visited ; The Appalachian Trail; Ireland B&Bs; New Zealand B&Bs; South Carolina B&Bs ; Japanese Ryokan] Astronomy, Physics & Planetariums [NASA; JAXA; JWT] Books & Movies [Das Glasperlenspiel ; 陰翳礼讃; The Royal Tanenbaums; Where is the Friend’s House?] Visual Arts & Graphic Design [唐津焼; 有田焼; Examples of My Work; The Museum of Modern Art; ] Foreign Language Study [Japanese; Spanish; Italian; Korean; French; Hawai’i Creole; World English Varieties; American Sign Language] Juggling, Origami, Comedy, & Entertainment [Cirque du Soleil; Dubé; Akira Yoshizawa]
Richard Schoonmaker 