Areas of Expertise
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Multicultural/Multilingual Education
Keywords
Applied Statistics, Assessment and Evaluation, Implementation Science, Inclusive Education, Multicultural/Multilingual Education, Place-Based Education, Professional Learning, Program Evaluation, School-University Partnerships, Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health, Social Justice
Research Methodologies
- Action Research
- Community-Participatory Research
- Design-Based Research
- Mixed Methods
- Program Evaluation
- Qualitative Methods
- Quantitative Methods
- Research Practice Partnerships
- Survey Research
Research Levels
- Adult Learning
- Community
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Informal Education
- K–12
- Secondary
Research Overview
Tammy’s research focuses on a holistic, equitable, and empowering understanding of educational improvement frameworks, shifting the focus from fixing problems to cultivating inherent strengths and possibilities within every learner and every learning community. She is passionate about exploring how existing frameworks can be leveraged to foster supportive educational environments, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes and more inclusive school communities.
Her prior experience as a high school and college math teacher, collaborations with public health and human services, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Nā Hopena A’o (HĀ) framework inform her interest in investigating sustainable, positive change agents that can be integrated into educational settings.
Manuscripts she has contributed to can be found in Hawaiʻi Journal of Public Health & Social Welfare, Health Education & Behavior, Journal of Multidisciplinary Evaluation, Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, Journal of Primary Prevention, Journal of School Health, and Preventing Chronic Disease.
- Manaseri, H., Roberts, K., Toms Barker, L., & Tom, T. (2019). Pono choices: lessons for school leaders from the evaluation of a teen pregnancy prevention program. Journal of School Health, 89(4), 246-256. DOI: 10.1111/josh.12733
- Nishita, C., Cardazone, G., Uehara, D.L., & Tom, T. (2012). Empowered diabetes management: life coaching and pharmacist counseling for employed adults with diabetes. Health Education & Behavior, 40(5), 581-591. DOI: 10.1177/1090198112465088
- Nishita, C.M., Uehara, D.L., & Tom, T. (2011). Self-Perceptions on the impact of diabetes among working adults: insights into disability prevention. Journal of Primary Prevention, 32(5/6), 299-309. DOI: 10.1007/s10935-011-0244-x
- Smith, C.E., Tom, T., Sasaki, J., Ayers, T., & Effler, P.V. (2005). Dengue risk among visitors to Hawai‘i during an outbreak. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(5), 750-756. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1105.041064.
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- Powis, L., Koller, S., Jones, E., Benjamin, L., & Tom, T. (2021, May). Innovations in centering youth voices: Models from AMCHP’s innovation hub. 2021 Conference on Adolescent Health).
- Ki‘ili, K., Seto, S., Shitabata, D., Tom, T., & Tsuruda, L. (2019, September). Promising practice spotlight: Quality assurance in Hawai‘i. Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center National Webinar.
- Tom, T. & Roberts, K. (2014, August). Using multilevel modeling to analyze student responses to a sexual health curriculum perceptions survey. Joint Statistical Meetings, Boston, MA.
- Ozaki, R.R. & Tom, T. (2010, April). The impact of life coaching and pharmacist counseling onparticipant health, employment, and disability. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicaid Infrastructure Grant/Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment Summit, Pittsburgh, PA.
- UHM Center on Aging – Support initiatives related to the well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Partners include the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (Executive Office on Aging) and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Human Services (Adult Protective Services). Funders include the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Administration for Community Living.
- Hawaiʻi State Department of Education – Support initiatives related to culture-based education and student and educator health & well-being. Projects include Growing Pono Schools, Pono Choices, and Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education. Partners include Compassionate Koʻolau, the Office of Hawaiian Education, and the Office of Student Support Services. Funders include the US Department of Education, the Office of Adolescent Health, and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
- Leeward Community College Education Department – Support local educators pursuing Associate’s, Bachelor’s or professional development to ultimately strengthen the education Hawaiʻi youth experience in public schools. Funders include the Health Resources & Services Administration, INPEACE, and the US Department of Education.
- American Educational Research Association
- American Statistical Association
- National Association of Multicultural Education
- Statistics without Borders