Prefectural Advisors (PA)
The role of the PAs is to support both JETs and contracting organizations by providing consultation and mediation when needed. The also provide information to JETs about daily life in Japan, and can contact CLAIR on the behalf of JETs and COs when necessary.
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*For Senior High School ALT placements
**For Municipal ALT and CIR placements
**For Municipal ALT and CIR placements
Regional Prefectural Advisors
There are over 80 JETs placed all over Gifu Prefecture, which means that it is difficult for the PAs to maintain close contact with all of them directly. For this reason, the Regional Prefectural Advisor (RPA) system was created to ensure there are advisors in each of Gifu Prefecture's five regions - Gifu, Seino, Chuno, Hida, and Tono.
WHAT DO RPAS DO?
RPAs are experienced ALTs and CIRs who volunteer as area leaders and local resources on top of their normal ALT/CIR responsibilities. Their duties cover the following:
RPAs, whether by request or their own volition, may also help organize events in their region to promote culture and foster a sense of community.
Please contact your supervisor first for any issues or concerns related to your workplace before reaching out to the PA or RPA team. RPAs are also not personal translators/interpreters, and are not trained in mental health counseling. We highly recommend seeking professional resources for mental health support. You can find relevant information on the Mental Health Support page.
I'M INTERESTED IN BECOMING RPA, HOW DO I APPLY?
Application forms will be available to all Gifu JETs around December/January. If you are interested in becoming an RPA, first please let your CO know you would like to be considered for the position, get their approval, then fill out the application form. Applicants will be taken into consideration by the PAs and RPAs, who will then nominate candidates in February to be approved by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.
WHAT DO RPAS DO?
RPAs are experienced ALTs and CIRs who volunteer as area leaders and local resources on top of their normal ALT/CIR responsibilities. Their duties cover the following:
- Meeting monthly with the PAs to discuss regional issues
- Performing monthly check-ins on JETs in their region
- Providing region-specific information pertaining to daily life (e.g. transportation, groceries, etc)
- Answering inquiries and directing JETs to the appropriate resource(s)(e.g. You are looking for a gynecologist, but your supervisor is a middle-aged man and you do not feel comfortable asking him about local clinics. In this situation, your RPA can assist in informing you about nearby OBGYN institutions.)
- Assisting with and presenting at JET-related orientations as well as conferences or orientations
RPAs, whether by request or their own volition, may also help organize events in their region to promote culture and foster a sense of community.
Please contact your supervisor first for any issues or concerns related to your workplace before reaching out to the PA or RPA team. RPAs are also not personal translators/interpreters, and are not trained in mental health counseling. We highly recommend seeking professional resources for mental health support. You can find relevant information on the Mental Health Support page.
I'M INTERESTED IN BECOMING RPA, HOW DO I APPLY?
Application forms will be available to all Gifu JETs around December/January. If you are interested in becoming an RPA, first please let your CO know you would like to be considered for the position, get their approval, then fill out the application form. Applicants will be taken into consideration by the PAs and RPAs, who will then nominate candidates in February to be approved by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.
Nine JET participants form the Regional Prefectural Advisor (RPA) Committee, one to two JETs for each of the five regions in Gifu.
Meet Our Advisors
Meet the Gifu JET Advisors for Fiscal 2023
PA Team
Ria Marifosque
ALT PA Ria is a SHS ALT JET with an extensive teaching background from the Philippines. She used to work in Gero City in the Hida Region, but she was transferred to Gifu City upon appointment to the PA role. She divides her time between her base school and the Board of Education. As an introvert, Ria initially comes off to people as quiet and reserved, but she enjoys planning events and helping people. If you have questions about teaching, finding your way around the workplace, dealing with colleagues or fellow JETs, or really just anything under the sun, feel free to message her. She’s almost always glued to her phone, so you can reach out to her easily if you need any help or support or just want to chat.
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Sam Keane
CIR PA Sam has been part of the Prefectural BOE team since November 2021. Having taught English in Osaka and Japanese in his home of west Ireland, he has always sought out ties to local international communities, including organizing welcome exchange events for Japanese students at the University of Limerick and becoming embedded in the international community in Belfast. As CIR PA, he hopes to promote a JET lifestyle based on mutual understanding, dedication, and cultural exchange. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, visiting galleries and museums, and generally having the craic.
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RPA Team
Emmlyn Dversdall
Seino RPA Emmlyn is from Ohio, America and teaches at two senior high schools in Ogaki. Before coming to Japan, they studied English and Japanese literature at the University of Iowa and volunteered to help teach loal K-12 students creative writing. They love traveling anywhere a train can take them, especially if there is a pretty view or a hike at the end of the line. They try to collect postcards and goshuin (御朱印, seal stamps) everywhere they go, but they somehow keep forgetting to get a postcard in Tokyo. When not traveling or at work, they like to hunt for cute cafes in Gifu and Nagoya where they can read, write, and annoy their friends with pretetious coffee facts. Emmlyn is always happy to chat about books, DnD, or life in Japan and looks forward to making new and exciting memories with everyone in Seino.
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Oisin Herron
Seino RPA Oisin is a second-year ALT from the north of Ireland. He works at a senior high school in Ogaki. After receiving his BSc in Physics with Meteorology from the University of Edinburgh, he did a postgraduate certificate in secondary education with the University of Warwick. He worked in England as a teacher of science before coming to Japan. He enjoys volleyball, watching zombie movies, and studying Japanese. Oisin is thrilled to provide his best support to the JETs of Seino!
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Matthew Sinar
Gifu RPA Matthew is a first-year ALT from a small seaside town on the northeast coast of England, splitting his time between Kano SHS in Gifu City and Kakamino SHS in Kakamigahara City. Back home, he did a BA in Modern Languages, focusing on Japanese and Spanish, before subjecting himself to an MA in Translation and Interpreting. Before arriving in Japan, he worked full-time as a barista whilst doing some translation on the side. When not at work, you will often find him in a karaoke booth or complaining about coffee or some of the finer details of translation.
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Muffy Tirona
Gifu RPA Muffy loves a nice cut of beef, making her placement in Gifu City perfect for the self-confessed food lover. Ramen comes in at a close second, but she’d rather not have to choose if she can help it. Being an avid athlete since elementary school, Muffy earned her Early Childhood Education degree in her hometown of Quezon City, Philippines. Her love for sports continues well into her 2nd year as a JET dabbling with cycling, football, and tennis when she can. Initially looking reserved and quiet at first, Muffy is a ball of energy once you get to know her as her students in Gifu Johoku High School and Yamagata High School can attest to. She’s always up for a game of football or tennis so feel free to message her anytime. If you’re lucky you may even get to taste Filipino food she likes to whip up every once in a while.
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Ben Canlas
Chuno RPA Ben is a SHS ALT from the Philippines working at Kamo Norin and Kamo High School in Minokamo City. Being a homebody for most of his life back home, Ben has been trying to get out of his ocmfort zone (a.k.a. His small and cozy apartment) and discover the joy of the great outdoors. He’s taken up mountain climbing these past three years he’s been in Japan, and has climbed many mountains, including FOUR (!!!) just last summer. Included in those four mountains is Mt. Fujji, and he considers climbing this his proudest achievement to date. In spring, it’s daifukus and Paulo Coelho novels under sakura trees, in autumn it’s chasing after the most beautiful fall foliage and taking way too many photos with his friends, and in winter it’s traveling to the snowiest of places—which is turning out to be his absolute favorite. If you want company for your next adventure, go and shoot him a a message!
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Tim Lee
Chuno RPA Tim is the ALT at Kakamihara High School. He’s from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the home of Just for Laughs, Cirque du Soleil, Kaytranada, and the world’s best maple syrup. Having lived in Hong Kong in his early childhood, Tim is fluent Cantonese as well as in English and French, while improving his limited Japanese day by day. With a Bachelor’s in Marketing, he has worked in retail management, e-commerce, digital marketing, and activation marketing. At school, he splits his time between teaching English and coaching basketball. In his free time, Tim likes to game, take pictures, visit streetwear shops in Japan, and has recently taken up boxing. Currently, he is applying his marketing know-how to sell English to perhaps one of the toughest target markets ever: Japanese high school students.
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Eric Lupea
Tono RPA Eric is a JET CIR from Dublin, Ireland. He works for The Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS) in Ogaki City. He graduated with a degree in International Business and Japanese studies. Before arriving in Japan, he worked as a fund accountant for an investment bank. He enjoys taking photos, traveling, walking, and just getting out to explore! Once the weekend hits, it’s time to get moving. Eric is looking forward to being a valuable resource to JETs in the region and inspiring others to adventure—never hesitate to contact him.
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Samantha Dang
Hida RPA Samantha is a third year ALT who currently lives in the beautiful, deep mountains of Hida. She studied International Relations in Long Beach, California and Kyoto. She is the only prefectural ALT in Hida City, working at the two most beautiful high schools in Gifu: Hida Kamioka and Yoshiki High School. In her free time, you can probably see her frolicking in the mountains and taking pictures of wildflowers or petting (non-poisonous) frogs. She likes going to every market in the region and mentally cataloguing the products. If you need any recommendations in Hida or need any help in your life in Hida, please feel free to contact her!
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Zhuangman Koh
Hida RPA Man is a municipal JET working in Takayama. She comes from Singapore, home to the Merlion and hawker centers. Before moving to Japan, she was an Elementary school teacher who taught English, Math, and Social Studies. Living and teaching in Japan has always been her lifelong dream. In her free time, she can be found at various campsites in Nagano, Gifu, and Yamanashi barbecuing Hida beef. She takes part in Japanese dance with a group of ladies in Takayama and enjoys takoyaki parties with them. She looks forward to introducing the charming town she lives in to anyone who is interested.
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