Facilitate

To facilitate contacts and co-operation between teachers and community groups relating to Japanese studies
日本研究に関わっている教師と市民団体の間に協力と関係を促進すること

Encourage

To encourage the exchange of information through newsletters, forums, seminars and conferences
ニュースレター、フォーラム、セミナーや会議を通して、情報の交換を促進すること

Support

To support the teaching and research of the Japanese language
日本語の研究と教育を支援すること

Promote

To promote the study of the Japanese language & culture in WA
西オーストラリア州での日本語と日本の文化の勉強を進めること

Rosanne Jacobs

President

Rosanne Jacobs has been President of the Japanese Language Teacher’s Association of WA since 2013 and a member for nearly 25 years.  She has taught across both Primary and Secondary and is currently the Head of Languages at Mater Dei College.

Margo Whittle

Treasurer

I enjoy teaching Japanese to children from Pre-Primary to Year 6 at multiple worksites. I love sharing my in Japan experiences and like to network with teachers through JLTAWA. I have held a number of roles on the committee over the years. I look forward to meeting you at events throughout the year.

Kyohhei Futaki

Vice President & CAC (Curriculum Advisory Committee) Representative

Kyohhei has been an active committee member of JLTAWA since 2013. In 2014, he was appointed as the Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) Representative. In 2025, he was further appointed to serve as Vice President. He graduated from the University of Queensland while concurrently gaining experience teaching at several schools for Japanese-background students. Following his relocation to WA, he has continued his dedication to language education by teaching Japanese at the secondary school level.

Rachel Ong

Secretary

Rachel previously taught Japanese across both primary and secondary levels, and now runs Supplies for Sensei, a Perth-based business specialising in Japanese teaching resources and cultural products. She is passionate about creating engaging, culturally immersive learning experiences, and enjoys contributing to the Japanese teaching community through both her business and committee work. Rachel is currently doing relief teaching while undertaking further studies in counselling and psychotherapy. She has a strong interest in integrating mindfulness and wellbeing into education. 

Kyoko Walsh

Committee

Ever since Kyoko was a child, she wanted to see a different part of the world. So, Kyoko left Japan the day after her high school graduation, carrying one suitcase. After seeing many different parts of the world, Kyoko ended up in Perth. Currently, Kyoko is one of the two the Head of Languages at the School of Isolated & Distance Education (SIDE). Kyoko lives with her Australian husband, two daughters and two dogs. She loves watching Ice Skate especially her hero Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist.

Haruka nomoto

Committee

Haruka Nomoto

Giselle Fabling

Digital Media Co-ordinator – Committee

Giselle’s initial engagement with Japan was as a 17-year-old Rotary Exchange Student, living in a home stay environment and going to high school in Japan with no Japanese language! She has lived in Japan on 2 separate occasions for 4 years was the beginning of her love of Japan, it’s people, culture and language.She hopes, as a teacher, to share and pass this on to her students.  Giselle have been teaching Japanese for 20 years in a variety of country and metropolitan, public, and private schools in Western Australia. Having taught predominately in the secondary setting for more than 16 years, she currently teaching in a primary school and at SIDE and engaging in the new WA Languages curriculum. 

ELENA ROWSON

Primary RepreseCommittee

Elena began her Japanese learning journey at Churchlands SHS and experienced visiting Japan as an exchange student whilst in Year 11. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at UWA majoring in Japanese Elena was fortunate to receive a scholarship to Ryukoku University in Kyoto for 1 year to study Japanese. Upon returning to Perth, she continued to work at Japan Australia Word Services as a coordinator in both the Tour guiding division and Media division. Completing a Diploma in Education Elena taught in high schools, starting at St Norbert College and then mainly at Rossmoyne SHS. After having a break from teaching with having children, Elena has enjoyed teaching Japanese for more than 15 years at John XXIII College in the primary school. Her journey has been across many different types of work places, but all have one main thing in common – the Japanese language.

josephine loh

Committee

Josephine began teaching Japanese in 2018 after earning a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Japanese and minoring in Linguistics. She furthered her education by completing a Master’s in Teaching, which paved the way for her teaching career starting in 2017. Josephine spent a year in Japan participating in the JET Program in the peak of COVID, which enriched her understanding of Japanese culture and language. Additionally, Josephine has a keen interest in watching anime, which she often incorporates into her teaching to engage and inspire her students. 

FIONA BLAIR

Committee

Thirteen years ago, after 15 years teaching mainstream students and those with special needs, Fiona enthusiastically took up the challenge to become a Japanese teacher. She now teaches part-time across 2 sites. Having spent a year with her family as a JET in northern Hokkaido, she has recently returned to teaching with a renewed vigour and enthusiasm for all things Japanese. She is delighted to be back on the JLTAWA Committee and is looking forward to working with the Committee to promote the teaching of Japanese language and culture across WA.

Kasey evans

Committee

Kasey’s for the Japanese language and culture began in childhood, when her family hosted several Japanese exchange students. This early experience sparked a lifelong interest that led Kasey to study a Bachelor of Arts and Business at Edith Cowan University, majoring in Japanese and International Business. Kasey was fortunate to spend part of my studies at Himeji Dokkyo University in Japan, which deepened her cultural understanding and language skills. After graduating, Kasey pursued a career in education and now teach Japanese at Ocean Reef Senior High School.

sumika nishikawa

Committee

Since my student years, I have worked as a private tutor, mainly teaching Japanese, and have developed a flexible approach to meeting learners’ individual needs. I have also supported learners in Australia, including children from Japanese backgrounds and international students, in both their studies and daily lives. I aim to continue supporting learners while fostering collaboration among teachers and contributing to the Japanese language education community.