"I would not be in the position that I am today had I not gone through this program."

Hometown

Kailua, Oahu

Department

Curriculum Studies

Related Degrees

• PhD, Education: Curriculum & Instruction
• MEd, Curriculum Studies: Literacy Specialist

Hi, my name is Esmeralda Carini. I am the literacy content specialist for Windward district, Kailua Kalaheo complex area. I’ve been in my position for four years now. I graduated with a masters from the Curriculum Studies department in 2010 and I was a part of the first reading specialization cohort that they had put together. I think the best part of my job is supporting schools efforts in growing their literacy practices. When I was a teacher, I used to get really excited when the light bulb would go off in my, with my students… When finally learned a concept or they made it their own. And I think when I work with schools in helping to support their focus on literacy instruction or helping to support their teacher’s instructional practice, I get excited when teachers come back and tell me, you made a difference. When I think about who the professors were that have, that had made the greatest impact on what I do in my job today, I would have to say it was Andrea Bartlett and Paul Deering. Andrea, because she really helped me to see the scope of what it takes to be a literacy leader. Paul Deering’s class on qualitative analysis has been very helpful for me with my work with schools. Data analysis is not an easy topic! Most people are afraid of it, I know I was. Paul’s class was informative, but it was also fun. I would have to say that the time, effort that I spent in the program was absolutely worth it. I would not be in the position that I am today had I not gone through this program.