"The social distancing and isolation have allowed us as teachers to truly adjust and adapt in order to provide support for our students.”

Hometown

Mililani, O‘ahu

Department

School of Teacher Education - Elementary

Related Degrees

• BEd, Elementary Education

What is your current program?
I am graduating this Spring 2020 Semester from the STE Elementary Education program, specifically from the Ka Malu O Kaiona* cohort.

How did you become interested in the field of education?
I have always loved kids, but I did not develop my interest in the field of education until I became a soccer coach for a U10 AYSO soccer team. After seeing the kids grow as people and the progress they made, it really made a big impact on me and made me fall in love with teaching.

How has the COE impacted or benefited your career path?
This COE program made a big impact and made me confident that this is the right career path for me.

Is there anyone in particular who inspired you to pursue teaching as a career?
For me, it was the kids I coached for soccer who inspired me to pursue teaching as a career.

What is your most memorable experience from being a part of the Ka Malu O Kaiona cohort?
The most memorable experience from being a part of this cohort is the amazing people who were in it with me. My other classmates are amazing, loving, and supportive people, and I am so glad that I got to be on this crazy journey with them.

How has COVID-19 affected your life?
COVID-19 has affected my life in positive and negative ways. The social distancing and isolation have allowed us as teachers to truly adjust and adapt in order to provide support for our students. But, the amount of time that I am staring at a screen has greatly increased. What has brought me comfort during these times are my amazing cohort buddies, my friends, family, and significant other.

What are your future visions and goals?
My goal and vision for the future is to teach in the classroom and continue to develop professionally no matter what stage I am in my teaching career.

*Ka Malu O Kaiona is a K-6 elementary cohort in the School of Teacher Education Elementary Program coordinated by Dr. Rosela Balinbin Santos. Based in Wai‘anae Coast partner schools with the goal of recruiting future teachers for and from Wai‘anae Coast communities, the program focuses on place-based learning, culturally relevant pedagogy, and community advocacy. Spring 2020 marks the first graduates of the Ka Malu O Kaiona cohort.

Check out this Mālama Puʻuloa blog post about the cohort’s visit to Kapapapuhi (scroll down to August 28, 2019).