Please join us in congratulating the 2023 AATJ Outstanding Teacher Award recipients: Marisa Bellini from American Fork High School in Alpine School District, UT, and Dr. Makiko Fukuda from the University of Texas at San Antonio, TX.
The AATJ Teacher Award recognizes outstanding teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, advocacy, and leadership, both locally and nationally. The awards were presented in-person at the AATJ Awards luncheon at the 2023 ACTFL Convention.
2023 AATJ Outstanding Teacher Award (K-12 category)
Marisa Bellini (American Fork High School, UT)
I am deeply gratified that AATJ has acknowledged me for this award. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the AATJ Teacher Award Committee for this honor to represent the Utah Association of Teachers of Japanese (UATJ). I am also truly grateful for being part of this amazing association in Utah that always inspires and supports me every month during our collaborations.
I was born in Brazil, and I was once a Japanese learner myself. I know how difficult it could be to learn a foreign language and all the struggles that come with it. When I started teaching at American Fork High School in 2006 as an hourly teacher, I only had 2 small classes. My dream was to create a full-time program so that I could help as many students as possible that once struggled to learn Japanese like me. Thanks to the great support of my colleagues from my school and district, I was able to build the biggest Japanese program in the state and the only Japanese AP program. I know that I would never be able to reach my goals without all the support I have received throughout these years.
This award definitely encouraged me to keep working hard to help other teachers in Utah to build their programs and continuously help each other. Unfortunately, the Japanese programs in secondary schools are still small in Utah, but I sincerely believe that one day we will grow through the support of UATJ and AATJ.
Lastly, I would like to thank my family and students that were constantly supporting and believing in me.
2023 AATJ Outstanding Teacher Award (Post-secondary category)
Dr. Makiko Fukuda (University of Texas, San Antonio, TX)
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for this distinguished award. Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending the AATJ award ceremony, celebrating the exceptional professors who have been honored, and I never imagined that I would one day be the recipient of this prestigious recognition. Receiving this award is a surreal experience, and I am deeply honored to accept it.
Teaching the Japanese language at the university level has been my lifelong career, one that I had the opportunity to pursue after graduating from a university in Japan. I began my journey as an EEP participant (now known as ALLEX), which proved to be a transformative experience for me. I aspired to build a career in the United States, one where my unique abilities would be valued. After the two-year contract with EEP, I enrolled at Purdue University and completed my terminal degree. Following my graduation, I was blessed with the opportunity to work for Trinity University and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where I have continuously worked to expand the Japanese program. While I teach at UTSA, I had the privilege of participating in the Japan America Society in San Antonio (JASSA), which enabled me to collaborate with the Japanese community and engage with individuals from the city of San Antonio, contributing to the enhancement of Japan-America bilateral relations. Furthermore, I joined the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT) and had the honor of serving as a board member – an organization for which I hold deep and lasting gratitude. JTAT has provided an invaluable platform where I’ve had the honor of connecting with committed Japanese language educators not only from within Texas but also beyond its borders. My affiliation with JTAT has been an enriching experience, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally.
Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous individuals to whom I owe a deep sense of gratitude. These are the people who believed in me, offered me opportunities, and played an integral role in shaping the person and teacher I am today. Without their guidance and support, I would not have achieved this remarkable honor. I want to express my sincere appreciation to EEP (ALLEX), Purdue University, my colleagues at UTSA and Trinity, the Japanese teachers in San Antonio, and all the members of JTAT. I also would like to offer my warmest thanks for my husband and children for their unwavering support and encouragement, as well as for my parents in Japan, who generously allowed me to pursue my studies in the United States. Last but foremost, I would like to express my profound thanks to AATJ for selecting me as the recipient of this year’s Teacher Award.
This award marks the beginning of a new chapter in my journey, and I remain dedicated to work for a brighter future for Japanese education in the United States. Thank you very much.
