“Providing a high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong benefits.”

Hometown

Mindoro, Philippines

Department

Curriculum Studies

Related Degrees

• MEd, Early Childhood Education

Where did you grow up?
I was born in the Philippines and moved Mesa, Arizona when I was eight years old.

Where do you work?
I work at the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) as an Early Learning Specialist.

How did you become interested in the field of early childhood education?
Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to work with and advocate for children. It wasn’t until my daughter was 4 that I realized I loved working with young children.

Why do you think early childhood education is so important?
Early childhood education is the foundation for the growth and learning of young children. Providing a high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong benefits. Children are more likely to succeed beyond kindergarten when they participate in high quality programs.

How has the COE program impacted or benefited your career path?
I was able to secure my position at EOEL as an early learning specialist after having completed my MEd in ECE which was a requirement for my position.

Is there anyone in particular who inspired you to pursue education as a career?
My primary caregiver when I was young, Lilia, inspired me to pursue education as a career. Also, education runs in my family. My grandmother and two of my aunts were educators.

What are your future visions and goals?
My future visions and goals include continuing to support early childhood educators, young children, and their families. I hope to further advocate for the importance of high quality early childhood education programs in Hawaiʽi.

Anything else you would like to include?
I would like to thank Robyn Chun for all her hard work in making sure ECE graduate students succeed in pursuing their master’s degree. Her compassion and care truly help us to achieve our goals. I also would like to thank Coleen Momohara and the EOEL team for inspiring me to pursue my master’s degree and advance in my career as an early childhood educator.