Cathy Inamasu, Executive Director
Cathy-sensei started volunteering at NLF on the first day we opened in October of 1975. She became a regular teaching staff member the following year when NLF received funding from the State Department of Education. She received her BA from San Francisco State in psychology with an emphasis on young children. She also holds a Supervisory Children's Center Permit and an elementary teaching credential. Cathy is responsible for our two preschool programs and the After School Program. Her two children are graduates of the Sutter Preschool.

Naomi Miura, Site Manager                                       
Naomi-sensei has been with NLF since early 1984.  She began volunteering and then working part-time at NLF while she completed her BA degree in Early Childhood Education at S.F. State University.  She also holds a Children's Center Supervisory/Director’s Permit.  Naomi-sensei works closely with the staff in the development of the curriculum and program.  She is fluent in the Japanese language as her mother was born and raised in Japan.  She has developed a stronger compassion for parents as her son, Bryant, is now a third grader in the After School Program.  She resides in San Francisco with her husband and son.

Fen Xiao, Teacher, ButterflyGroup / Chocho Gumi
Fen-sensei has been teaching children for over 30 years.  She began working at NLF in January 1995.  Born and raised in China, Fen came to America in 1989.  She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin as well as 5-6 additional Chinese dialects.  Fen sensei received her BA degree in Child Development in China where she was also the teacher of 3-7 year olds for about 14 years.  She holds a Child Development Teacher Permit.  Before joining NLF, Fen-sensei taught at another preschool program in San Francisco for 3 years.  Fen-sensei resides in San Francisco with her husband and adult daughter, Jenny.

Makiko Romero, Teacher,  Dragonfly Group / Tonbo Gumi
Makiko-sensei joined NLF in January 1998.  She came to the U.S. in 1994 to attend North Eastern College in Denver, Colorado where she obtained an Early Childhood Teacher certificate.  While in Denver, Makiko-sensei taught in a Catholic School preschool for about one-and-a-half years.  Prior to coming to the U.S., she earned her BA degree in English Literature at Nihon University in Tokyo.   She also taught music for five years to kindergartners and calligraphy for two years in an elementary school.  Makiko-sensei and her husband currently reside in Vallejo.

Fen Xiao, Teacher, Dragonfly Group - Tombo GumiFen-sensei has been teaching children for over 20 years. She began working at NLF in January of 1995. Born and raised in China, Fen came to America in 1989. She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin as well as six additional Chinese dialects. Fen-sensei received her BA degree in Child Development in China, where she was also the teacher of three to seven year olds for 14 years. She holds an Associate Teacher Permit, and is one class away from completing the course work in Early Childhood Education for her Children's Center Permit. Before joining us, Fen-sensei taught at another preschool program in San Francisco for three years.

Kayoko Seto, Teacher, Lady Bug Group - Tentoumushi Gumi
Originally from Hyogo Ken, Japan, Kayoko-sensei has had many years of extensive study in the field of Early Childhood Education which includes an Associate of Science Degree in Child Education from Osaka Aoyama Junior College in Japan, an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of the Redwoods and a BA in Child Development and Teaching English as a Second Language from Humboldt State University. Kayoko-sensei also has obtained a Children’s Center Supervisory Permit and a life credential to teach nursery school and kindergarten in Japan. Hired in June of 1997, Kayoko-sensei has many years of experience in both Japan and America including student teaching and volunteering with preschoolers age two to six and kindergartners, planning and implementing curriculum and activities. She has recently returned to school at San Francisco State University, to obtain her Masters Degree in Education.

Makiko Romero, Teacher, Bumble Bee Group - Hachi Gumi
Makiko-sensei joined the NLF staff in January of 1998. She came to the United States in 1994 to attend Northeastern College in Denver, Colorado, where she obtained an Early Childhood Teacher certificate. While in Denver, Makiko-sensei taught in a Catholic preschool for a year-and-a-half. Prior to coming to the US, she earned her BA degree in English Literature at Nihon University in Tokyo. She also taught music to kindergartners for five years and calligraphy for two years in an elementary school.

Mieko Okuyama, Teacher, Beetles Group - Kabuto Mushi Gumi
Mieko-sensei was born and raised in Okayama, Japan. After studying Early Childhood Education in Japan, she received her teaching certificate and taught for five years in a preschool in Nagano (in the Japan Alps). She taught a class of thirty, four- and five- year-olds by herself! Mieko-sensei came to San Francisco in April, 1990, and enrolled at Golden Gate University where she received her BA in Social Science. She began volunteering and substituting at NLF in September, 1991, and joined the teaching staff at the Sutter Preschool in May, 1992. Mieko-sensei took a leave from teaching for a little over two years, but realized that working with children is what she enjoys most. She joined the Bush staff in February of 1999; and also assists with a children’s singing class at the Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California.

Motomi Ui, Teacher, Firefly Group - Hotaru Gumi
Motomi-sensei was born in Chiba Ken, Japan and received her BA in English Literature at Aoyama Gakuin. She possesses an Elementary School Teacher license and taught for over 10 years in elementary and middle schools (first through ninth grade) in Japan. She relocated to San Francisco in 1988, to learn more about various organizations that serve women and children. Motomi-sensei was hired in August of 1998, as one of the teachers for the kindergarten group at our After School Program. She substituted for the preschools during the summer, and joined the Bush staff in 1999. Motomi-sensei is a volunteer at the Asian Women’s Shelter, and enjoys working with their clients. She is happy to be able to work with children, as this completes her purpose in coming to the United States.

Sheena Lau, Afternoon Teacher’s Aide
Sheena-sensei has a long history with NLF. She was a student here, herself, when she was three years old! Sheena-sensei graduated from Humboldt State University with a BA in Sociology in 1998. After taking a year off from school she recently returned to college to obtain a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco State University. Sheena-sensei works part-time at NLF every afternoon, and we are happy to have a NLF alumnus return as a staff member!

Midori Tomono, Cook
Midori-san has been our main cook at NLF since early 1983. Before coming to NLF, she was a partner in Club Kyomasa, which is located in San Francisco. Prior to coming to the US, she was an actress, dancer, and singer with the Toho Recording Company. Truly multi-talented, Midori considered becoming a kindergarten teacher but decided to go into the acting field. She likes working at NLF because she loves children. Midori attends annual conferences sponsored by the Childcare Food Program and looks through volumes of cookbooks to get ideas for new lunch menus. Midori-san has even conducted cooking classes at the Japanese Community Center (JCCCNC). We all appreciate her great cooking!

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