"...I recognized that access to special education services is especially limited for students in Hawaiian Immersion programs due to a shortage of qualified educators."

Hometown

Kaunakakai, HI.

Department

Special Education

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PBSPED) Initial License

Why did you choose to become a teacher, in general?

I chose to become a teacher to serve my community in a greater capacity. When I learned about this licensure program, I saw it as an opportunity—not just for myself, but to help address a critical need in Hawaiʻi. On my home island of Molokaʻi, there is a shortage of teachers, and even more so, a lack of special education teachers. This realization motivated me to pursue teaching as a meaningful way to give back.

Why did you choose to become licensed in special education?

As I continued to reflect on my kuleana as a Native Hawaiian, I recognized that access to special education services is especially limited for students in Hawaiian Immersion programs due to a shortage of qualified educators. I saw this as an opportunity to serve my community more deeply. By becoming licensed in special education, I can help bridge that gap and plan to expand my qualifications in the future by adding a Hawaiian Language component to my license.