Rika Motohashi (She/Her)
Principal
I’ve always been passionate about being with children, but never pursued a career in Education because everyone in my life was in the Hospitality Industry. Because I loved travelling so much, I started my career as a Flight Attendant. I travelled alone to Japan as a child, and always remembered how kind and loving the Flight Attendants were to me. As a Flight Attendant myself, I was drawn to the children on my flights and wanted to make sure they were well cared for. After years of flying, I had an epiphany and decided it was time to pursue my true passion- teaching and guiding young children. This was still one of the best decisions of my life!
My style is always evolving based on tuning in to my students’ interests and wonderings. I believe it’s incredibly important to build a trusting relationship with children and their families. This comes from a place of love, and I truly enjoy getting to know my students as individuals. This helps me understand their personal learning styles, and enables me to personalize their learning based on their needs and strengths. My classroom provides structure while making learning fun, engaging and innovative. At the end of the day, I want children to be happy and excited to come back to school the next day for what’s going to happen next!
Children’s honest and curious natures challenge me to deepen my own understanding as I look at the world through their eyes. They teach me to slow down and live in the moment. I love the rawness of their emotions and guiding them through understanding themselves. I love watching them develop and grow, whether that’s physically, cognitively, or emotionally, and knowing I had a part in that process is so fulfilling. I hope I am a teacher that they always remember fondly, in the same way I remember my first teachers.
My superpower would be to fly. It would be so calming to soar over the world, taking in every moment and experiencing the diversity, peace, chaos, human interactions and nature.
I love surrounding myself with good company, and watching my daughters be as close with their friends as I am with mine. I love socializing and travelling with friends and family; we are always eating, drinking and making new memories. In my free time, I like to search and make different recipes for my family and friends, watch movies with my family, and treat myself to a massage or acupuncture.
“I don’t go by the rule book… I lead from the heart, not the head.” Princess Diana
