Mr. Jacobsen graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from San Francisco State University and began his career in education first as a general music teacher followed by many years in both lower and upper elementary homeroom positions before receiving a master's degree in instructional technology from East Carolina University. Mr. Jacobsen has since taught technology integration and most recently STEM for the past five years at Korea International School in South Korea. In 2021, Mr. Jacobsen was recognized as International Teacher of the Year by KORCOS. Mr. Jacobsen enjoys seeing his students become passionate about their learning through creating a fun and engaging environment that promotes curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. In his spare time, Mr. Jacobsen enjoys traveling, cooking and exploring with his wife Jessica and daughters Cadence and Aria.

Mrs. Jacobsen graduated with her master’s degree in educational administration from Campbell University in North Carolina and her bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. She has taught in California and North Carolina in elementary school, grades kindergarten through 4th grade. She also served as an assistant principal at an elementary school in North Carolina. Recently she taught kindergarten at Korea International School, where she led the early childhood education team in designing and implementing a program where students were able to use their interests and passions to lead their learning through projects and play. She has mentored many aspiring teachers and is a strong advocate for the rights of children in education. Additionally, Mrs. Jacobsen has led extracurricular activities based on student excitement to deepen understanding and growth. She believes in a strong school, family, and community connection to build young learners. She enjoys reading, baking, animals, exploring, and spending time with friends and family.

Ms. Kirby started working at APIS in 2021. She graduated from Bethlehem College & Seminary with a bachelors in Biblical Theology and Cross-Cultural Ministry. While in school, she served as Head of House to college women, intern to the middle school director at her home church, and a middle school girl’s basketball coach at her alma mater. Ms. Kirby has taught and worked with grades kindergarten through 12 through various camps, teams, educational institutions, and ministries in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Her passion is student discipleship on the local and global levels. Ms. Kirby believes youth have an abundance of potential not only to be future leaders but also to glorify God in all they do. Her hobbies include playing sports, baking, spending time with friends and family, exercise, traveling, and watching movies.

Mr. Kunihisa holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Family Counseling from Jessup University (Multnomah Campus). His M.Div. studies focused on Bible, theology, and teaching, while his M.A. work centered on marriage and individual counseling, including mental health support.

During his graduate programs, Mr. Kunihisa served with International Student Ministries (ISI, Inc.) in Portland, Oregon, for six years. Together with his wife, he helped international college and high school students adjust to life in the United States, building cross-cultural friendships and providing practical support. During this same period, he also taught Bible classes and regularly preached at his church in Portland.

Before entering the field of education, Mr. Kunihisa spent over 20 years in the technology industry, including 11 years at Microsoft as a Senior Program Manager, 3.5 years at Amazon Web Services as a Logistics Leader for data centers, and 7 years in Tokyo, Japan, as a Product Manager for software development at Rakuten.

In 2024, he transitioned into full-time teaching, joining a high school in Mililani, Hawai‘i, where he taught Biology and Anatomy & Physiology and discovered a passion for connecting with students in the classroom. He now brings to APIS not only his academic and counseling expertise but also his diverse professional background, a heart for mentoring young people, and a global perspective shaped by years of cross-cultural work and ministry.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Kunihisa enjoys spending time with his wife and son, exploring the outdoors, swimming, playing basketball, engaging in ministry, and continuing to learn in all areas of life.