Instructional leadership

Dr. Kevin Yoshihara has been a member of the KIST community since August 2009. Initially working as a classroom teacher with Grades 4 and 5, he was appointed Elementary School Principal in 2012 with responsibilities covering K1 through Grade 5. In August 2019, he was subsequently appointed to the additional leadership role of Head of School. Having also worked in schools in Canada, Kuwait and China, Dr. Yoshihara has held a number of teaching and coordinator roles over the course of his career. Dr. Yoshihara holds a Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership) from the University of New England, a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria. Dr. Yoshihara is a PYP workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization and has led various teacher workshops in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Yoshihara's outside school hobbies include swimming, cycling and running. Originally from Canada, Dr. Yoshihara's is the father of two children; one is a KIST graduate and the other currently attends KIST.

Hiro Komaki began his teaching career at KIST in August 2013. Initially working as an MYP/DP Mathematics teacher and a Career and University Guidance Counselor in the Secondary School, he was appointed Subject Area Coordinator - Mathematics in August 2015, and subsequently DP Coordinator in August 2019. In August 2024, he was subsequently appointed to the additional leadership role of Secondary School Vice Principal. Mr. Hiro Komaki holds a Master of Arts (Applied Educational Leadership and Management) from the UCL Institute of Education, University of London, a Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Sciences) from the University of Bath, and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from Goldsmiths, University of London. Mr. Hiro Komaki is an IB examiner for Mathematics HL, and an editorial reviewer of the Haese IB DP Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL textbooks. In his free time, Mr. Hiro Komaki enjoys seeing musicals and watching and playing football.

Matthew Archer has been a member of the KIST community since August 2021. Initially working in the Secondary School as a Student Care Coordinator and an English teacher, he was subsequently appointed as the Elementary School Vice Principal in August 2024. Mr. Archer has been working in education since 2008, predominantly in the UK. After graduating from the University of Plymouth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, he worked in London schools, first in a child welfare role and then as an English teacher. After holding both English and pastoral leadership roles, in 2017, he took on the role of Vice Principal at Abingdon House School, a specialist school for students with additional needs. Outside of school, Mr. Archer enjoys running, films and supporting the Second Harvest Japan food bank.

Mark Cowe joined KIST in August 2007 as the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator for Grades 11 and 12. In August 2011, in addition to his continuing duties as DP Coordinator, he was appointed Secondary School Vice Principal. In August 2014, he was subsequently appointed Secondary School Principal. Mr. Cowe holds a Master of Arts in modern history and politics from the University of Edinburgh, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham. Mr. Cowe has been teaching since 1999 and held a variety of classroom teaching and leadership roles in the UK, Qatar and El Salvador before coming to Japan. Mr. Cowe is also employed by the IB organization as an examiner for History and Theory of Knowledge, and also as a workshop leader. Mr. Cowe's outside school hobbies include golf, tennis and hiking. Originally from Scotland, Mr. Cowe's two children are currently enrolled at KIST.

Eri Ozawa joined KIST in 1998, bringing with her a deep love for working with young children. With over three decades of experience as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) educator, she has also served as the ECE Coordinator at KIST for the past 10 years after her return from working at another school for three years.
She holds a degree from Monash University in Melbourne and earned her teaching license at Toyo Eiwa University in Japan. Furthering her passion for education, she completed a master’s degree in Teaching English to Young Learners at the University of York in England.
Mrs. Ozawa has a lifelong passion for sports, particularly basketball, and has been involved in the sport as a player, coach, referee, and enthusiastic supporter. Outside of her professional life, she cherishes time with her family and is a proud grandmother of two.

John Rose joined KIST in August 2013 as the Subject Area Coordinator - Science in the Secondary School, teaching MYP Science - mainly Biology and Chemistry - to students in Grades 9 and 10, and DP Chemistry to students in Grades 11 and 12. In August 2014, he was appointed DP Coordinator, and in August 2019, he was appointed Secondary School Vice Principal. Before moving to Japan, Mr. Rose taught in many countries and has had postings in English, Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok and Dubai. Mr. Rose holds a Master of Education in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Mr Rose. is an IB examiner for Chemistry. Mr. Rose enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing rugby, playing basketball and most sports as he is Australian. Mr Rose's two children are currently enrolled at KIST.

Keith Erickson joined KIST in 2011 as a DP History and MYP Individuals and Societies teacher, and was subsequently appointed Individuals and Societies Subject Area Coordinator in August 2012. In August 2023, he transitioned to the role of IGCSE Coordinator. Mr. Erickson holds both a Master of Arts in Secondary Teacher Education and a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business (Accountancy and Finance) from Wright State University. Mr. Erickson began his teaching career in 2005 and worked initially within the US curriculum prior to joining KIST. His hobbies include long-distance running and reading. Mr. Erickson has two children

Oliver Sullivan joined the KIST community in August 2013 as a Grade 3 teacher in the Elementary School, a position he held for six years. In August 2019, he was appointed PYP Coordinator. Mr. Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in environment and development from Sheffield Hallam University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Southampton. He has taught in schools in both English and Japan and, during his career, he has taught across a wide range of grade levels and has held various coordinator and mentor roles. In his free time, Mr. Sullivan enjoys going to the cinema and watching football with his friends, and being from Manchester, he has a deep love of Manchester United and music from the '80s and '90s. Mr. Sullivan's two children are currently enrolled at KIST.

Hannah Cowie has been a member of the KIST community since August 2020. Initially working in the Secondary School as a DP Geography teacher and Student Care Coordinator, she was appointed as the Individuals and Societies (I&S) Subject Area Coordinator in August 2023, and subsequently as the Lower Secondary Programme (LSP) Coordinator in August 2024. Ms. Cowie has been working in education since completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of West England, Bristol in 2014. Following this, she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Education through the Teach First Programme in the UK, which was certified through Birmingham City University, and later earned her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from University College London. Outside of school, Ms. Cowie enjoys cooking, camping and travelling around Japan with her partner and dog.