"Once I started working with children with exceptionalities I never wanted to stop."

Hometown

Honolulu, 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 have always wanted to become a teacher since I can remember. I struggled in elementary school and was grateful to have teachers that understood my challenges and put in that extra work to help me. I looked up to and admired my teachers and wanted to be like them. Becoming a teacher is my way of giving to children what I got as a first generation high school graduate.

Why did you choose to become licensed in special education?

In Jr. College I saw a flyer for a position as a behavior interventionist at a therapy center for children with ASD. I applied and got the job. Once I started working with children with exceptionalities I never wanted to stop. I love learning about each individual child; theirs strengths and challenges as well as their learning styles. It brings me joy to be the person that gets to help them learn and be successful in their own ways.