"I was able to present my master's thesis to several state agencies, resulting in minor changes to how the state's early learning standards were being rolled out."

Hometown

Palolo, O'ahu

Department

Educational Psychology

Related Degrees

• MEd, Educational Psychology

Where do you work?
I am the Education Coordinator at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Children’s Center (UHMCC).

How did you become interested in the field of educational psychology?
I became interested in educational psychology through a discussion with Professor Lois Yamauchi. I was comparing different programs, and her work with the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence Hawai‘i Project (CREDE) really got my attention.

Why did you select the UHM COE?
I had taken some courses at Chaminade, but was really interested in the research being done at the COE, particularly the CREDE research.

How has the Educational Psychology (EDEP) program helped you along the way?
I was able to present my master’s thesis to several state agencies, resulting in minor changes to how the Hawai‘i Early Learning and Development Standards (HELDS), the state’s early learning standards, were being rolled out. I became the lead author of preschool supplemental guides for HELDS implementation which were published and distributed by the state.

What are your future plans?
I will continue my work with teams from several state agencies to develop the training necessary to create inclusion preschool classrooms as part of the Governor’s Universal Preschool Initiative.