Staff - Tokyo International Progressive School

Leadership

Lyn Sato

Principal

Ms. Lyn Sato grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Ms. Sato graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Later she earned a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California with a credential to teach in the state of California.

Ms. Sato took the principal leadership position at TIPS in March, 2019. Having joined Tokyo International Progressive School (formerly International Secondary School) in 2006, Ms. Sato has since served the school in many capacities, from volleyball coach, classroom teacher and senior teacher to her current position of principal.

In addition to her school wide leadership duties, Ms. Sato continues to teach art and sponsor the chess club for all ages at TIPS.

Teaching Staff

Mr. Shane Cook

Mr. Shane Cook

Classroom Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator

Mr. Shane Cook is an American who grew up on the East Coast of the United States. He has a degree in Special Education, with a focus in Elementary Education. He has a Master's of Education in Instructional Design. He holds his teaching certification from the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12). He is endorsed in English for Speakers of Other Languages and Autism. Mr. Cook worked in America for over five years as a Special Needs Teacher, Intervention Specialist, and Autism Coach. He enjoys learning about the ocean and exploring new cultures.

Classroom Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator

Mr. Kurtis Tomlinson

Classroom Teacher
Athletic Director

Mr. Kurtis Tomlinson is from Toronto, Canada and teaches science, PE and complementary courses at TIPS. He received his Honors Bachelors of Science in 2016 and his Bachelors of Education in 2017 from the University of Toronto. Since then, he has been living in Japan where he has been working as an educator. In his free time he enjoys playing sports and exploring new places in Japan.

Classroom Teacher
Athletic Director

Mr. Nabi Nazari

Mr. Nabi Nazari

Classroom Teacher
Club Coordinator

Mr. Nabi Nazari is from Afghanistan and has lived in Japan for almost four years. He got his bachelor's in Business Administration in 2015 before joining the Afghan Ministry of Education as an education policy officer in 2016. His interest in Inclusive Education brought him to Japan to pursue his master's in International Education, focusing on Special Needs Education. He graduated from the University of Tsukuba in 2021. Before joining TIPS, he worked with an international school in Tsukuba for more than one year.

Classroom Teacher
Club Coordinator

Mr. Nikolai Jessen-Petersen

Mr. Nikolai Jessen-Petersen

Classroom Teacher
Student Support Coordinator

Mr. Jessen-Petersen (J-P) is a Danish-Japanese who was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and then lived most of his life on the east coast of the United States. He received his Bachelor of Psychology in 2014, his Master's of Education (International Education) in 2019, and second Master's of Education (Special Education) in 2022. He holds his Teacher's License from the District of Columbia in Special Education (K-12). He is currently in his fifth year at TIPS, where he started as a volunteer, then a tutor, then a support teacher, and now for four years as a classroom teacher. In his free time, he likes reading, learning, and playing sports.

Classroom Teacher
Student Support Coordinator

Ms. Xaida Zyvatkauskas

Ms. Xaida Zyvatkauskas

Classroom Teacher

Ms. Xaida Zyvatkauskas is from Canada and has lived in Japan for almost nine years. She got her first Bachelor's degree in English Literature, before getting her Bachelor of Education. She became an Ontario Certified Teacher in 2012, and has been in good standing with the college ever since. After working at another international school in Tokyo for the past 6 years she was drawn towards TIPS to be able to work in a student centered environment. She enjoys living and working in Tokyo. In her free time she loves baking, going for walks, and playing video and tabletop games.

Classroom Teacher

Ms. Aki Takeuchi

Ms. Aki Takeuchi

Classroom Teacher
Career Counselor

Ms. Aki Takeuchi is a Japanese who grew up in many different countries across the globe, such as Switzerland, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, to name a few. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Family Studies from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada), as well as an M.A. in International Education from the University of Tsukuba (Ibaraki, Japan). Ms. Takeuchi worked as a support teacher for a year and a half at TIPS from 2020, when she also completed her practice teaching in Middle School Social Studies. After working for two years in international schools, she returned to TIPS in 2023 as a classroom teacher. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying out new cafes with friends, and taking care of her cats.

Classroom Teacher
Career Counselor

Ms. Priya Pillai

Ms. Priya Pillai

Classroom Teacher

Ms. Priya Pillai is from Mumbai, India. She completed her Masters in Botany at Mumbai University along with a Bachelors of Education from ICFAI University. Ms. Pillai has an enriching 25 years of teaching experience from students from kindergarten to undergraduate students, using both local curriculum in India and the curriculum from Cambridge-Primary/Lower secondary/Upper secondary-IGCSE. Additionally, she has done her certification course in Child Psychology and completed a post-grad diploma in Educational Administration and Management from London School of Teachers. Ms. Pillai is currently pursuing an expert level in Special Education Needs Teachers training Course along with Counseling and Train the Trainer. She is interested in fine arts and gardening in her free time.

Classroom Teacher

Mr. Maxwell Ebert

Mr. Maxwell Ebert

Classroom Teacher

Mr. Maxwell Ebert grew up in California in the USA. Mr. Ebert graduated from the University of California Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Later, he earned his teaching credentials and Master's in Education from The College of New Jersey. He has lived in Japan now for over ten years, working in education in various capacities. Mr. Ebert was drawn to TIPS because of its small class sizes and student-centered approach to learning. In his free time, he enjoys writing, traveling, cycling, playing games, and walking his dog.

Classroom Teacher

Ms. Jill Marcelo

Ms. Jill Marcelo

Classroom Teacher

Ms. Jill Marcelo is a passionate educator with a diverse international background. She is originally from the Philippines, and had the privilege to teach in Indonesia, Philippines, and the USA enriching her teaching practices with a blend of cultural perspectives. Ms. Marcelo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Special Education, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. When Jill is not immersed in educational research or classroom dynamics, you will find her lacing up her running shoes for a run, discovering new coffee shops, or savoring a refreshing matcha latte. Ms. Marcelo loves exploring new places, going on adventures, and experiencing different cultures.

Classroom Teacher

Mr. Robert Reed

Mr. Robert Reed

Classroom Teacher

Mr. Robert Reed is from Seattle Washington. At TIPS, he teaches 7th grade science, 10th grade English, PE, and reading comprehension. He received his Bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College and his Masters in Special Education from the University of Phoenix. He taught for 14 years at North Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon. He moved to Japan with his wife just over a year ago. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, running, tennis, photography, and music.

Classroom Teacher

Office Staff

Ms. Junko Nakamura

Ms. Junko Nakamura

Business Manager

Ms. Junko Nakamura joined TIPS in 2004. She received BA in English Linguistics from Seisen University and had a four year career working internationally at Kyoritz Advertizing Agency before joining TIPS.

Ms. Nakamura loves TIPS as a "big family" and is passionate about helping things work smoothly for other people and school operations.

Ms. Nakamura is also a certified aromatherapy instructor and has an experience of sharing aromatherapy fun with TIPS students and parents.

Business Manager

Ms. Yu Matsumura