As she turned onto Friends School Dr. on September 4, 2019,  Akemi Moriuchi ’04 experienced a moment of déjà vu — it was the second time Ms. Moriuchi experienced her first day at Moorestown Friends School. 

Fifteen years earlier, Ms. Moriuchi graduated from MFS. But when she walked through the field house and into her brand new office this September, she experienced another first day at MFS: her first day as a faculty member. Ms. Moriuchi has returned to MFS to serve as a P.E./Health teacher and a Middle School Advisor.

Although over a decade apart, to Ms. Moriuchi, these two first days evoke the same emotions. 

“As a teacher, it is still the same [as being a student],” she said. “Both are filled with excitement because it is the beginning of the year. You have that excitement, and you are trying to get organized and just figure everything out,” she explained. 

Although she didn’t officially begin her school year until September 4, Ms. Moriuchi was on campus for much of August enjoying one of her favorite parts of her job: coaching. This fall, Ms. Moriuchi is serving as the Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach. 

When asked if she was enjoying coaching the girls, she quickly replied, “I love it.”  This year she will also coach the Middle School Girls Lacrosse A team and the Boys Basketball B team. 

Ms. Moriuchi said coaching is her “favorite part of the day” and described how the field or court can become another classroom. 

“You still get to teach,” Ms. Moriuchi explained, “but it is in a different kind of environment. I think athletics can teach a lot of really important life skills without knowing that you’re doing them.” 

Moruchi said she also values the connections she makes with her players. “These teams,” she said, “are another group of kids I get to build relationships with, and hopefully have some success.” 

Ms. Moriuchi said she fondly remembers her time playing for the Foxes, citing the time she spent with her teammates as “some of her best memories.” Now, she said, she aspires to create for her players an environment that provides them with a similar positive, successful atmosphere. 

“Being able to handle adversity, hav[ing] some fun along the way (because if it is not fun, then what’s the point?), and building each team as a family,” are three ways she can foster success and make each season a memorable journey for her players. 

When Ms. Moriuchi is not on the sidelines, she said she will try to make a positive impact on the MFS community. She said she is most looking forward to “meeting and building relationships with students and colleagues” and that her role as a Middle School Advisor will help her formulate these meaningful relationships. 

Whether it be during a health class, advisor, or practice, one aspect of Ms. Moriuchi’s job never changes: her desire to support her students. 

“It is a journey. It is life,” Moriuchi explained, “I hope I can impact students here and help them on their journey.”