"I enjoyed working with the students so much that I decided to further my degree and switch to an education certification instead of heading into the business world. Both my parents were also special education teachers, and I saw firsthand the direct impact they had on students."

Department

Special Education

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PBSPED)

Christin Kekaualua is currently a Preschool Special Education Teacher at E.B. DeSilva Elementary School in Hilo, Hawai’i. Throughout her 19 year career with the Department of Education, she has held various positions which include; educational assistant, high school special education teacher, high school general education teacher, H.S.A. testing coordinator, long-term substitute teacher, part-time teacher, middle school special education teacher, elementary special education teacher to students with extensive support needs, medically fragile elementary teacher, SPED department head, and preschool special education teacher. She has worked in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as middle and high public-charter schools, and has worked with students in general education, mild/moderate, and extensive support needs. Christin has taught students with extensive support needs for the past 8 years, which included teaching and care coordination of the medically fragile population for 5 years. She implemented community-based instruction with her elementary students and focused on IEP goals and objectives within the community. She works closely with DOE specialists, outside agencies, doctors, and other professionals, to ensure the best care and consistency across all settings. Christin received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and minor in Communications from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. She also received her Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education Certification from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Message to Teacher Candidate

Aloha and welcome! My name is Christin, and I am excited to get to know you as you begin, or continue, your student teaching journey. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was completing my student teaching, and I am thrilled to be partnering with you as you work towards becoming a certified special educator! I look forward to meeting and working with you next semester!