Robb Winters

I’m originally from San Francisco, California, USA. 
My native language is English, and I also speak simple Japanese.

Outside of school, I enjoy listening to and collecting vintage vinyl records, spending time at the beach, drawing, and, most of all, playing with my three children.

What I value most when working with children is helping them develop confidence in themselves. I want every child to feel capable, valued, and excited to learn. Children learn best when they feel safe to make mistakes, encouraged to keep trying, and genuinely enjoy the learning process. I believe that building curiosity, kindness, independence, and a willingness to challenge themselves is just as important as teaching English or any other subject. If a child leaves my classroom believing in themselves and excited to keep learning, I feel I have succeeded.

As one of the founding members of Kobe English Academy, what I like most—and what I am most proud of—is that we, as a school, have never stopped learning and growing. We reflect on how we can better support our students and families while responding to their evolving needs. I am especially proud of our staff, whose dedication to continually improving their teaching creates meaningful learning experiences for every child. Everyone at KEA shares a genuine commitment to learning, supporting one another, and always looking for better ways to help our students grow. Being part of a team with that shared mindset is what makes this school such a special place.

I graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in History. My passion for teaching began when I joined the United States Peace Corps and was assigned to serve as an English teacher in Mozambique, Africa. That experience not only marked the beginning of my teaching career but also confirmed that helping children learn and grow was the work I wanted to dedicate my life to.

After completing my two years of service, I returned to California and earned my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through San Francisco State University. I then taught as a licensed elementary school teacher in the San Francisco Unified School District.

In 2008, I came to Japan after being recruited by a leading English conversation school. Since then, I have dedicated my career to teaching English to children in Japan. Later, I had the opportunity to help establish the school that would become Kobe English Academy, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch our school and students grow together over the years.

Today, as the Director of English Education and a Daily Kindergarten teacher, I strive to create a classroom where every child feels welcome, supported, and inspired to do their best. Whether a student is taking their very first steps in English or developing advanced language skills, my goal is to help each child grow with confidence while making learning meaningful and enjoyable. I look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s growth and celebrate all their successes along the way.