Instructor Profile

Rita Mizuno/ELC/all levels (most recently AP4 & C3)

Profession:

ESL instructor

Favorite View from Campus:

Snow-capped mountains  & the ocean

Favorite music:

Jazz

Surprising fact about you:

I was born and raised in Japan.

Things you collect:

Good recipes

Hobbies:

Jogging, reading, fishing

Unusual item in your office:

A Lego character I found under my fridge

Favorite teaching memory:

Realizing that I had persuaded a student from making a very bad life decision.

Favorite quote:

“Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them.” (by Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon).

What inspires your teaching?

My desire to maximize my students’ learning experience

Favorite food:

Mitarashi

Fashion style:

I like the 50’s (Audrey Heburn’s) style.

Favorite travel memory:

Experiencing the generosity of the poor in the Philippines

Words of wisdom from teacher to ESL student:

Read, read, read!

What do you think about your teaching and VIU:

I love it. In my department, especially, I have the opportunity to meet people from around the world on a daily basis. How cool is that?