Sarah “Sid” Warso
ALT, Freelance Writer, Volunteer
About Me
I currently teach English in Ogawa Village, but I will soon move to Nagano City. I have previously worked as a Graduate Assistant at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), an Administrative Assistant for Behr Construction Company, and as a freelance Stage Technician on the Las Vegas Strip (among other jobs).
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where I attended high school at Las Vegas Academy and majored in Technical Theater. After briefly attending the College of Southern Nevada, I transferred to UNLV to receive my Bachelor in English (with a minor in Anthropology). Before graduating with my Masters from the same university, I moved to Japan to teach English in September 2021. In December 2021, I defended my thesis titled “Hybridity, Ecocriticism, and Feminist Perspectives in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” to fulfil the requirements of my degree.
Since then, I have volunteered as the Hokushin (formerly Hokushin West) block leader for Nagano’s JET Programme for four and a half years. During this time, I have helped plan, prepare, and present at various JET Programme and English Teaching conferences in Nagano prefecture. I have also volunteered for the Nagano AJET Committee.
Work Expereince
Prefectural Assistant Language Teacher (Direct Hire)
Senior High School in Nagano City, Nagano; August 2026 – present
Municipal Assistant Language Teacher (JET Programme)
Elementary and Junior High School in Ogawa, Nagano; September 2021 – July 2026
- Designed and implemented interactive English lessons for junior high school students, focusing on communication skills and cultural understanding.
- Developed engaging activities to reinforce grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills, adapting to various learning levels.
- Encouraged student participation through creative games, group work, and real-life scenario practice to boost confidence in speaking English.
- Provided individualized feedback to students, helping them improve their language skills and build motivation.
- Assisted in the school’s ICT implementation, including participating in the Leading DX initiative at Ogawa Junior High School.
- Presented and instructed fellow teachers on how to use Canva, Google Classroom, Google Drive, and ways to use ICT in the classroom.
Graduate Assistant
Writing Center Tutor and First-Year Composition Instructor at UNLV: January 2020 – June 2021
- Provided personalized tutoring to students in the university writing center, focusing on essay structure, grammar, and argument development.
- Taught first-year composition courses independently, developing syllabi, grading assignments, and conducting lectures on academic writing and critical thinking.
- Guided students through the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to final drafts, improving their analytical and communication skills.
- Offered constructive feedback on a variety of writing styles, including research papers, argumentative essays, and creative writing assignments.
- Fostered a collaborative learning environment, encouraging peer review sessions and interactive writing workshops.
Administrative Assistant
Behr Construction; May 2019 – September 2021
- Managed payroll processing for employees, ensuring accuracy and timely payments.
- Handled insurance enrollments and maintained up-to-date records for employee benefits.
- Organized and processed various administrative paperwork, including contracts, invoices, and compliance documents.
Theater Technician
Independant Contractor (Stage Manager, Lighting Technician, Spotlight, Special Effects, Makeup, Production Assistant); October 2013 – June 2019
- Served as stage manager for multiple productions, coordinating rehearsals, managing cast and crew, and ensuring smooth performances.
- Operated lighting systems to create the desired atmosphere and enhance storytelling on stage.
- Assisted in the creation and organization of costumes, ensuring timely fittings and adjustments for performers.
- Managed sound equipment and sound cues, collaborating with directors and sound designers to achieve optimal audio quality.
- Sourced, created, and maintained props for productions, ensuring alignment with creative vision and practical performance needs.
Stage Manager
Evil Dead the Musical; September 2014 – October 2016
- Stage managed a continuous production of Evil Dead the Musical, coordinating complex cues and special effects, including live blood effects and dynamic set changes.
- Managed cast and crew during rehearsals and performances, ensuring seamless execution of choreography, sound, and lighting.
- Collaborated with directors and designers to maintain the production’s unique, high-energy atmosphere and audience engagement.
- Organized and led technical rehearsals, overseeing timing for lighting, sound, and special effects to ensure safety and precision.
- Maintained communication between departments, troubleshooting issues in real-time to keep the production running smoothly.
Intern
Evil Dead the Musical; February 2014 – September 2014
- Learned the technical and managerial aspects of live theater production, focusing on all aspects of the technical details of the show.
Guide/Supervisor
EMS Exhibits/VR Wonders; August 2015 – June 2017
Seasonal Cast Member
The Disney Store; November 2014 – January 2015
Administrative Assistant
Walsh Construction; March 2013 – August 2014
Writing and Presenting
NagaNet Newsletter, July 2026; Writer – Snapshots That Became Home
CLAIR Forum, JETからの手紙, March 2026; Writer – 世界をぐっと近くに~ JET プログラムがつなぐ世界~
Nagano Skills Development Conference 2025; Presenter – Technology and Design for the English Classroom (Theme: International Communication)
Skills Development Conference 2024; Presenter – It Takes a Village: Teaching in Rural Japan (Theme: Team Teaching)
Nagano JETs Blog; Contributor – The Nakasendo and Zenkoji, Holy Cow!, The Heart of Nagano City, Eating History in Nagano
Yomoyama Magazine; Editor-in-Chief (December 2023-January 2025)
Nagano Skills Development Conference 2023; Presenter – It Takes a Village: Teaching in Rural Japan (Theme: Student Motivation)
Master’s Thesis 2021; Hybridity, Ecocriticism, and Feminist Perspectives in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Volunteer Experience
Nagano AJET Collective
Treasurer; August 2025 – July 2026
President; August 2024 – July 2025
Vice-President; August 2023-July 2024
JET Representative; September 2022-June 2023
Nagano JET Programme
Hokushin Block Leader; March 2022 – April 2026
- Nagano JET Leavers’ Conference 2022; Presenter – Culture Shock
- Nagano All-JET Conference 2022; Presenter – Winter Driving and Survival, Sexual Health and Safety
- Hokushin West NagaYes 2022; Co-host
- Hokushin Block Meeting 2022; Co-host
- Nagano JET Leavers’ Conference 2023; Presenter – Culture Shock
- Nagano JET Orientation 2023; Presenter – Teaching in Junior High School
- Nagano All-JET Conference 2023; Presenter – Teaching in Elementary School, Health and Safety as a JET
- Hokushin Winter Block Meeting 2023; Co-host, Handbook
- Hokushin West NagaYes 2023; Host
- Nagano JET Leavers’ Conference 2024; Presenter – Culture Shock, Past Leavers’ Advice, Framing JET Experience
- JET Orientation 2024; Presenter – On the Job, Teaching in Junior High School
- Nagano All-JET Conference 2024; Presenter – Goal Setting & Job Hunting, Budgeting & Finance, Municipal ALT Workshop
- Hokushin Winter Block Meeting 2024; Co-host
- Hokushin West NagaYes 2024; Host, Zenko-ji Stamp Rally
- Nagano JET Leavers’ Conference 2025; Presenter – Final Expenses, Pension Refund, Framing Your JET Experience
- Nagano JET Orientation 2025; Presenter – Working with Individuals with Special Needs, Elementary and Junior High School Teaching, Food in Nagano
- Nagano All-JET Conference 2025; Presenter – Goal Setting and Job Hunting, Elementary and Junior High School Methods, Budgeting and Finance