JAMS - The Japanes Abacus Math School
About Sensei Miwako Sakabayashi
Soroban
Abacus Math Teacher
A native of Japan (and proudly authentic!), Sensei Miwako grew up
with the Abacus. From the age of 7, when she first
put her hand to a heavenly
bead her path
was set. At the age of 12 she placed third in Japan’s
National Abacus Competition, and her Abacus math accomplishments as
an adult garnered a prestigious position in Japan’s banking industry.
Sensei Miwako came
to the U.S. in 1992 and settled in Oregon. With her
love of the abacus and a passion for working with
children and teaching, she founded the Japanese Abacus Math School
– JAMS – in 2001. For Miwako, there’s no greater sense of accomplishment
than seeing a student’s face light up with a confident smile when they
discover their mental calculation abilities and succeed with their
class work.
And Sensei Miwako is a hands-on person – maybe that’s why
she’s so skilled with the Abacus. She’s captured
degrees in calligraphy, flower arranging, tea ceremony and sewing kimonos.
Beyond the classroom, she still enjoys those activities, as well as
getting creative in the kitchen or preparing genuine Japanese cuisine.
Miwako also loves chasing around her three children, whom she affectionately
calls her monkeys.
Abacus Teaching Experience:
- Japanese Abacus Math School – 2001 to present
Richmond Elementary School, Portland, Oregon - January
1998 to December 1999
Woodstock Elementary School, Portland Oregon - Fall
1999
2001 Working on Abacus pilot program for 4th graders
along with Dr. Leo Richards, Director, Montana Abacus
Institute and Former Professor, University of Southern California.
Saturday Academy 2007 Summer
Children’s Hour Academy May 2007-June 2008
Village Home (Home School) Fall 2008
Oregon College of Art and Craft Spring 2009
Oregon Episcopal School Spring 2009