My name is Mitohi, also known as Mito (pronounced mee-toe). I was born and raised in Saitama (right next to Tokyo), Japan, and moved to the United States in 2015.

Creativity has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first original story at the age of five, and throughout elementary school, I was constantly writing, drawing, and reading. My creative foundation was shaped early on in Japan, where my school education emphasized not only academic basics but also rich creative experiences that nurtured imagination and self-expression.

I later attended a technical high school specializing in fashion design, where I studied for three years. My training included drawing, painting, designing, dyeing, knitting, and sewing, and I completed many hands-on projects. Outside of school, I spent weekends visiting art exhibitions. During this time, I also studied the history of fashion and music, which led me to question why humans need art and design, and how creativity shapes our lives and culture.

These questions guided me to Tokyo Gakugei University, a Japanese national university specializing in education, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. My major was Expressive Communication, often referred to in English as Communication Arts. My studies spanned a wide range of disciplines, including dance, film, theater, literature, art history, world religions, culture, psychology, communication, and arts management.

During my university years, I took a year-long solo journey around the world with only a backpack, immersing myself in diverse cultures and artistic traditions. I experienced traditional theater in Bangkok, the architectural and tile arts of mosques in Turkey, and contemporary art exhibitions in Zurich, among many others. These experiences deeply influenced my understanding of creativity as a universal human language.

For over ten years, I have worked as a Japanese language instructor and Thai interpreter, supporting communication across cultures. More recently, after beginning to homeschool my child, I discovered a renewed passion for learning with children. I am deeply committed to supporting young learners as they explore their creativity, curiosity, and potential in a safe and encouraging environment.

I am truly grateful to be part of this team and excited to embark on creative adventures together with our students.