5 Questions with Sandie Heron

Whether Sandie Heron is home or abroad, her light and beauty will be recognized. She accompanies her warm smile with a strong desire to walk in the will of God. Hence, she migrated from Jamaica to live and teach in Japan. She studied at Wolmer’s Girls High School, then matriculated to the University of the West Indies and obtained her bachelor’s degree in literatures in English. Now, for almost four years, she has been an educator in Tokyo, Japan.

Amid her struggles, she has gained invaluable knowledge and experience, which have contributed to her now being the author of two books. Sandie is also the founder and CEO of Our Evidence International Publishers Limited, a company that helps both experienced and aspiring authors transform their stories into lasting and impactful legacies.

While living and learning a foreign culture, Sandie remains patriotic; she is a cultural ambassador for Jamaica. In addition, Sandie enjoys writing, travelling, and connecting with people from all over the world.

Today, we are sharing with you a little of what Sandie has shared with us. We hope that after reading, you will find the courage to soar even when your journey looks hard and unreachable. Also, as we embrace that purpose cannot die, we await the beautiful stories you will curate.

1. Tell us a little about your professional journey.

My first summer job was through the National Youth Service. I was offering administrative support at an institution in Kingston that specialised in computing and technology classes. I retained that job during my three years at University, working on weekends. After graduating from University, I worked in an administrative and legal support capacity at a real estate company, then at a law firm before moving to Japan. It was in Japan that I started my journey in teaching. Currently, I am an assistant English language teacher at a high school in Tokyo. I work with students from ages 15-18, team-teaching with Japanese English Teachers. We provide instructions to improve student’s English language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

2. What is most fulfilling about being an educator?

The most fulfilling thing about being an educator is the ability to impact lives positively, whether through helping students learn more about the English language, sparking an interest in travelling to other countries and experiencing a new culture, or even putting a smile on someone’s face one day.

3. What inspired you to become an Author?

The journey to authorship has been a natural progression. I have always enjoyed reading and writing and developed the habit of journaling since childhood. This passion was reflected in the subjects I enjoyed most and excelled in at the secondary and tertiary levels. I later moved on to operate a website for seven years, sharing my stories and the stories of others. I then got to a place where I felt led to write books because I thought my experiences could be beneficial to others.

4. Tell us about your recently launched book “The Traveller’s Notebook: Stories of a Jamaican’s Journey in Japan” and how interested persons can access it.

In The Traveller’s Notebook, I share my experience of moving from Jamaica in 2018 to live and work in Japan. My compilation of stories gives readers an insider’s view into what such a journey has been like, how I adapted, and lessons I have learnt along the way. It is an insightful read and a helpful guide for those thinking of making a similar move to travel to Japan to live, study, or work and others curious to learn about the Japanese culture.

Copies can be purchased on Amazon in all territories here.

5. How do you create a balance between being an educator, author, YouTuber, and other roles and responsibilities you might assume?

While I wear all of these hats, I try not to let one aspect of my life interfere with the other. I try not to be a superwoman. I do my best to pace myself; the key is time management. As an educator, I plan, making sure that I am prepared for all of my lessons and assignments, showing up to classes ready to focus on the task at hand. If there is a special activity that the Japanese teacher would like to incorporate in the lesson, I discuss it with them before class.

Outside of teaching, I dedicate my time to working on my creative pursuits, such as writing my manuscript and working on my YouTube channel. Even in my spare time, I recognise that prioritising is essential. In some seasons, there may be one thing that will require more focus than the other. If so, I zone in on the task before me without feeling guilty that I am not giving as much time to another area.

For example, while writing my 2nd book ‘The Traveller’s Notebook,’ I posted fewer videos on my YouTube channel because planning everything related to the publication of my manuscript took precedence. Now that I have released the book, I can take a mental break and shift my attention to areas I could not have given my entire focus before. That strategy has helped to keep me sane and avoid burnout.

Additionally, I rely on support from friends and other professionals in education and the creative community. I recognise that we all have limitations, and it is vital to get the help we need to put our best work forward.

Connect with Sandie here!