Dr. Gumiko Monobe

I am an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University. I am originally from Japan and earned a B.A. with 1st–6th grade teaching licensure in Elementary Education in the Education Department at Yokohama National University. I also attended Tamagawa University for my Pre-K teaching licensure. After teaching primarily in Pre-K settings in Japan for over eight years, I decided to come to the United States to continue my education. I received my M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University.

During my graduate studies, I taught in varied educational settings. I served as a University Field Experience Supervisor in the Early Childhood M.Ed. Program, worked as an instructor for several courses including Introduction to Children’s Literature at The Ohio State University, and taught in a 6th-grade classroom at a local Japanese Saturday School.

My research interests focus on children, families, and teachers from a variety of backgrounds, particularly those with immigrant and multilingual experiences, in both school and community contexts. I am fascinated by how children and adults from varied backgrounds develop their voices. I am also interested in the formation of multiple identities and agency at the intersections of culture, language, society, and nation. I believe this work is essential for exploring and co-creating more responsive educational environments and pedagogies for all children.

I use qualitative research epistemologies and methodologies such as narrative inquiry. I am also interested in critical literacy and critically engaged learning using multicultural and international children’s literature and drama in both teaching and research.