“My students inspire me. There have been so many who have created inspiring and insightful projects that have taught me so much!”

Hometown

Kaʽawaloa, HI

Departments

Curriculum Studies; School of Teacher Education - Secondary

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Secondary Education (PBCTE, Secondary)

Where do you work?
I have been working at West Hawaiʽi Explorations Academy (WHEA) Public Charter School for 18 years. I am the lead teacher, helping to develop, steer, and enact project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum.

Briefly describe your own path to college.
I originally pursued Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then transferred into the Global Environmental Science program at UH Mānoa in order to join a program that better matched my interests. I then started working at West Hawaiʽi Explorations Academy and found that being an educator was what I wanted to do, leading me to attain my PBCSE initially and eventually my PACMED degree.

How did you become interested in the PACMED program?
I was looking to further my own education and training, and the PACMED program included everything I hoped to learn about.

How has the PACMED program helped you along in your career?
It has helped me incorporate more place-based ideas into our project-based curriculum.

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along your education journey?
My students inspire me. There have been so many who have created inspiring and insightful projects that have taught me so much! Also, my fellow team members at WHEA truly cultivate what it means to be a part of a learning community on a daily basis.

What are your future plans?
I plan to stay at WHEA where every day is an adventure, and I am always learning something new!