Jon Kitamura
Jon Kitamura - CSM English Faculty
I teach English composition at College of San Mateo, specifically English 100/105, English 110, and English 165. I also regularly participate in various learning communities on campus, most recently in Writing in the End Zone and Puente. I find great joy in working with our students daily, and I strive to bring my enthusiasm for teaching into the classroom.
My expertise lies in creating a dynamic, collaborative classroom environment where all are welcomed and respected and where together, we explore various topics, examine social issues, learn from each other, and grow as individuals, as writers, and as members of the community. My classes are student-centered, which means I rarely lecture and instead guide students through different collaborative and individual activities so they can cultivate their skills as thinkers, readers, and writers.
My passion is in making education more accessible to members of our community. I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues at CSM to dismantle many of the institutional barriers that have restricted student progress in the past so that our students can achieve their personal and academic goals.
Professional Accomplishments/Achievements
- Bachelors of Arts Degree in English, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Master of Arts Degree in English Literature, San Francisco State University
- Certificate in Teaching Composition, San Francisco State University
- Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading, San Francisco State University
- Full-time English professor at College of San Mateo since 2006
- Puente Program Co-coordinator, College of San Mateo 2010 – 2015
- Writing in the End Zone faculty/co-coordinator, College of San Mateo, 2006 – 2009; 2022 – present
- English instructor at Patten University at San Quentin State Prison (now Mount Tamalpais College), 2004 - 2006