Aya received a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Akita International University, Japan, and is currently completing an M.A. in Japanese Pedagogy in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Indiana University. She has taught first- and second-year Japanese at IU, where she has developed a strong commitment to fostering engaging, inclusive and student-centered learning environments. With a passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding, she aspires to support learners from diverse backgrounds in developing not only linguistic proficiency but also a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture.