Noriko Allred

Japanese

Mrs. Allred was raised in Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan. As a youth, she always wanted to see the world, and so far, has had the opportunity to experience to do so. She has lived in seven different states in America, and three other countries. In all, Noriko has visited eleven countries, and met many people from all kinds of cultures, languages, and levels of social status and wealth: from royal families with great wealth to street-children with little or nothing to call their own. Mrs. Allred says, "These experiences have opened my eyes, enlarged my heart, and deepened my appreciation for the blessings I have that many do not enjoy."

After obtaining BA and MA degrees from Brigham Young University, Provo, Noriko took to the skies as a flight attendant for two airlines, and loved every minute of her adventures! She has always had a soft spot in her heart for animals, especially abandoned and neglected ones. "So far, I have rescued and raised two birds, five cats, and two dogs," she shared. "Once, an interviewer asked me, "If you were given a million dollars to spend, how would you spend it?" I answered immediately, "50% would go to an educational fund for youth and the other 50% would go to help organize an animal sanctuary."

In her free time, Noriko loves to read, walk, eat, and laugh with her friends and family. Mrs. Allred says her favorite places to visit are London, Hawaii and, of course, Japan! "Someday soon, I would like to take my students to visit my home country, Japan." Noriko is a firm believer that parents and teachers are the two most important roles and responsibilities a person can have. Of course, being effective at either "job" is not a simple or easy task . . . but she believes the opportunity to change and mold the lives of children is well worth the effort. It follows that Noriko is truly appreciative of her teaching opportunity at Rockwell Charter High School, and says, "I am pleased that my language has been a part of my various careers and volunteer work: I have taught Japanese for a university, worked on editing a computerized Japanese language program for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, interpreted for various church groups, as well as tutoring individuals. However, teaching youth has presented me with different challenges and joys."