NCJLT created the Teacher Awards Program for two categories in 2001, one for K through 12 and another for college level, including community college, college and universities. The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding teachers of Japanese at the national level. These two awards are the only national awards for Japanese language teachers. They recognize excellence in teaching, advocacy, and leadership in Japanese and culture education, as well as contributions to the local community. 

 The NCJLT Teacher Awards Committee is pleased to announce the 2010 NCJLT Teacher Awards winners.  The K-12 Level Teacher Award goes to Mr. Kazuo Tsuda of United Nations International School in New York.  The College Level Teacher Award goes to Professor Sufumi So of George Mason University in Virginia. These awards have recognized excellence in teaching, advocacy and leadership in Japanese language and culture education, and contributions to the local community since 2001.  It is our honor to present these prestigious national awards to Tsuda sensei and So sensei. Congratulations!

The NCJLT would like to express our sincere gratitude for generous support from JPT America, JTB Cultural Exchange Corporation, Kinokuniya Bookstores of America, Kodansha America, Kyoto City Tourism Office & Tourism Representative for City of Kyoto, Shogakukan, The Japan Times, and Tuttle Publishing.

Professor Sufumi So from George Mason University, Virginia (left) and
Mr. Kazuo Tsuda from United National International School, New York