In a recent interview facilitated by Nhung Nguyen from the English Language Institute (ELI) at Missouri State University (MSU), Kazumi Holcomb, a Japanese teacher at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri, shared her inspiring academic and professional journey.
Holcomb recognized the value of enhancing her English skills before her graduate coursework. “I found ELI when I was in the process of applying for my master’s program. …I decided to do one semester with ELI.” Holcomb’s motivation to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at MSU stemmed from her keen interest in U.S.-Japan diplomacy, influenced by her husband’s service in the Japanese Navy.
Reflecting on her time at ELI, she cherishes the friendships she formed with other students, saying, “We did homework and learned America’s culture together, ate food from home countries and exchanged different experiences…I felt like I not only learned about America’s culture but also the culture of other students all around the world.” Holcomb also expresses gratitude for the kindness and guidance of the ELI instructors, who helped her navigate life in the United States and would later influence her own teaching. “The biggest thing that really impacted me was their openness. The instructors were very global-minded and…they are very accepting, and their attitude is wonderful.”
To practice her English and determine her love for teaching, she first started as a math tutor. Though Holcomb has a license to teach in Japan, she had to take additional courses and pass a state-mandated exam in the process of transferring her teaching license for use in the United States. Her journey in teaching started at Kickapoo High School, where she developed and taught Japanese language courses.
When asked about her proudest career accomplishment, Holcomb described having been deeply touched by the gratitude expressed by her students. “I have been teaching 14 years and a lot of my students came back to me and thanked me for whatever I have done — like for teaching the language and for being a kind person and being there always.” These moments remind Holcomb of the powerful influence educators can have on shaping young lives.
Outside teaching, Holcomb has been involved with the Springfield Sister Cities Association. She actively contributes to cultural events, such as Japanese festivals and kite festivals, where her students engage in traditional crafts and games. Holcomb’s collaboration with the MSU global leadership program and her role as a student worker recruiter has strengthened the ties between Springfield and its sister city, Isesaki, in Japan.
When offering advice to present-day college students, Holcomb emphasizes the importance of humility and recognizing language as a tool, not an end goal. She encourages students to look beyond language proficiency and focus on their passions and aspirations. Holcomb’s commitment to lifelong learning is exemplified by her continuous efforts to improve her English skills, even as an experienced educator.
Holcomb is currently taking a graduate-level course for teaching a foreign language. Though she finds it difficult at times to balance her studies with a full teaching schedule and family responsibilities, she finds the course to be beneficial. Holcomb is also considering developing new online courses to expand the reach of Japanese language education, saying that “Online language programs are expanding and especially for a less taught language like mine.”