Dr. Gumiko Monobe

I am an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University.  I am originally from Japan and earned a B.A. with 1st - 6th grade teaching licensure in Elementary Education in the Education Department, Yokohama National University, Japan. I also attended Tamagawa University for my Pre-K teaching licensure.  After teaching in mostly Pre-K settings in Japan over 8 years, I decided to come to the United States to continue my education.  I received my M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the Ohio State University. Meanwhile, I taught in varied settings including teaching as a University Field Experience Supervisor in the Early Childhood M.Ed. Program, an instructor for some courses including Introduction to Children’s Literature, in the Ohio State University, and a 6th grade classroom teacher in a local Japanese Saturday School. My research interests are focused on the population of children and their families, and teachers from diverse backgrounds, especially immigrant-ELL populations in and outside of school contexts. I find how the children and adults from diverse backgrounds develop their voices fascinating. I am also interested in their development of multiple identities and agency in the intersections of varied social aspects such as cultures, languages, societies, and nations.  I believe this is important to study in order to explore and co-create better educational environments and pedagogies for all children. I use qualitative research epistemologies and methodologies such as narrative inquiry. I am also interested in critical literacy and critically engaged learning using multicultural/international children’s literature and drama in teaching and research.