James is a voracious reader of books and is keen to spread his love of literature to others. Raised in a rural Ayrshire village, he grew up on the Scots poetry of Robert Burns and the folk tales of his grand- and great-grandparents. These early forays with literature fostered in him a desire to understand the vital role of stories in life and society, which led him to study history – a subject which is really all about how people tell stories – at Cambridge University. 

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James’ time at Cambridge gave him extensive opportunities to mentor younger students in history, persuasive and personal writing, and English literature and language. He has worked in these capacities on Cambridge University’s Shadowing Scheme, the STEMSmart and Slipstream mentorship programmes, and on several Cambridge summer schools.

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James is excited to apply his deep knowledge and passion to help kids at Little Plaza fall in love with reading and writing, and show them how reading, telling, and thinking about stories can enrich their lives and foster their creativity.

Dee is an illustrator with a background in early learning and art psychotherapy. In
her early life, having learning difficulties meant that verbal communication often
proved challenging. Drawing was a more natural way to communicate her
thoughts and feelings and this fueled her interest in working with children,
encouraging their learning and development through the use of art.
Dee began her career facilitating art workshops before pursuing a masters
degree in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Roehampton. She finished
her studies by qualifying as an art psychotherapist at Queen Margaret University. For Dee, art is not about the result of what you make, but it is the process of
creation and immersing yourself in it which brings a rewarding experience. In her
free time, Dee enjoys belly dancing, which she started in 2016. She began
dancing at the age of four and has been passionate about it ever since. Dee also
enjoys hiking and capturing the natural world with her camera.

Hitomi is a former senior lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan, as well as an author of 17 textbooks on both teaching Japanese and teacher training.

Driven by a steadfast commitment to student success, Hitomi creates tailored learning environments that inspire motivation and foster meaningful learning experiences. With theory-based practices and dedication, Hitomi empowers students to satisfy their curiosity, achieve their goals and excel in the realm of the Japanese language and beyond.

Hitomi is a seasoned instructor in Japanese language education. With an extensive academic background comprising a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Applied Linguistics with a specialisation in Japanese Language Education, Hitomi stands as one of the most experienced Japanese teachers in Scotland. As well as two relevant degrees, she holds a Certificate in Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test authorised by the Japanese Minister of Education.

Renowned for her contributions to teacher training, Hitomi earned recognition with a prestigious Teaching Award in 2008 at one of the reputable teacher training institutes in Japan.

Hitomi brings a wealth of experience cultivated over years of dedicated teaching. Beginning her journey at just 19 years old in a tutoring school in Japan, Hitomi spent eight formative years guiding students from ages 5 to 19, in both Japanese and English.

Transitioning seamlessly into higher education, Hitomi has enriched the linguistic and cultural knowledge and skills of students from diverse backgrounds.

Emily is a writer, tutor and yoga instructor based in Edinburgh. Her undergraduate degree was in philosophy at Newcastle University, and her master's was in mind, language and embodied cognition at The University of Edinburgh. Her thesis explored yoga as an embodied skill. After taking her 200 hours training in 2018, she began her journey of teaching yoga professionally. She has since completed several CPD courses and has become increasingly interested in yoga therapy. She has been tutoring children since 2016 in English language and literature, philosophy and psychology and loves to see her students flourish. She has also taught group classes in India, run a yoga and philosophy workshop at a primary school in Edinburgh and a philosophy and psychology workshop for international children. She loves to write fiction, poetry and on topics related to wellbeing. In her spare time Emily loves to go walking, swimming and climbing, and of course reading lots of books! She loves to inspire others to find their passions and to try new things.