Kyoko Hijirida has been the recipient of three meritorious Teaching Excellence Awards between 1992 and 1994.
PEARL CITY, HI, December 10, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Kyoko Hijirida, EdD, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Hijirida celebrates many years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
An emeritus professor of Japanese language, Dr. Hijirida taught at the University of Hawaii (UH) in Honolulu for 40 years beginning in 1970. She spent one year as the director of the Center of Okinawan Studies at UH Mānoa during the final year, then retiring in 2010. During her tenure, Dr. Hijirida taught Japanese language courses, pedagogy-related courses including a teaching practicum course, and Okinawan Language and Culture course within the department of East Asian languages and literatures. She also served as a cooperating graduate faculty of the college of education.
Dr. Hijirida not only devoted many years to teaching, but also to research in her field. Authoring and co-authoring numerous scholarly articles, she has contributed to various Japanese language teaching materials to "Japanese Language and Culture for Business and Travel," "Fun for Hiragana" and other publications, and has worked on special projects such as "Video for the National Standards," and translation of Standards for Japanese Language Learning sponsored by the Japan Foundation.
Born in the northern part of Okinawa, Japan, Dr. Hijirida attended Makiya Elementary School, Naha Junior School and Naha Senior High School on the island. During her high school years, she dreamt of becoming an English teacher but was unable to attend college. Instead, she began working in a bank, and then started studying college courses via correspondence education offered by Keio University in Tokyo, where she remained for six years. Finally earning a Bachelor of Arts in English literature at the University and she began teaching English at Naha Junior High School. Making her way to the United States on a US scholarship program provided to Okinawan young peoples to attend Indiana University, after studying at the university for some time, Dr. Hijirida transferred to the University of Hawaii, where she received a master's degree and Doctor of Education, thus earning her first role in academia.
Dr. Hijirida is a longtime member and former president of the Hawai'i Association of Language Teachers and the Hawaii Association of Teachers of Japanese. She is also a member and former board member of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese and the Nihongo Kyōiku Gakkai in Japan.
Dr. Hijirida has been the recipient of three meritorious Teaching Excellence Awards from the dean of the College of Languages, Literature and Linguistics at UH, the president of the UH and the Hawaii Association of Language Teachers between 1992 and 1994. Honored with a Zuiho Chuju Sho Award, the Order of Sacred Treasure by the Japanese Government, Dr. Hijirida has been included in the 65th through 70th editions of Who's Who in America.
In retirement, Dr. Hijirida is enjoying her time by participating in various activities within her local community. She notably served as the president and volunteer teacher for a local Okinawan community organization as well. Married to Henry T. Hijirida for many years, she is the proud mother of one son and grandmother of two grandchildren.
In recognition of outstanding contributions to her profession and the Marquis Who's Who community, Kyoko Hijirida, EdD, has been featured on the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement website. Please visit www.ltachievers.com for more information about this honor.
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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