“The UHM COE STE Secondary Program played an essential role in preparing me to fulfill my teaching aspirations.”

Hometown

Syracuse, NY

Department

School of Teacher Education - Secondary

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Secondary Education (PBCTE, Secondary)

Where do you work?
I am a social studies teacher at Waipahu Intermediate School.

How has the COE program impacted or benefited your career path?
The UHM COE STE Secondary Program played an essential role in preparing me to fulfill my teaching aspirations. The educators in the program have given me a platform to know myself better. They have exposed me to a wealth of social justice literature that is all too pertinent to our modern world. They introduced me to the amazing staff and administration at Waipahu Intermediate and later recommended me to them for the emergency hire position I held for the 19-20 school year. Specifically, in the social studies program, my teachers and mentors pushed me to design units of inquiry and to prepare my students to become informed and active members of society.

Is there anyone in particular who inspired you to pursue teaching as a career?
My brother and aunt are both public school teachers. Their professional success and belief in me to do the same inspired me to become a teacher. More specifically, my high school history teacher, Mr. Sacco, inspired me to teach history.

How did you become interested in the field of education?
I became interested in education for a number of reasons. I encountered dozens of poor educators in my quest for education and wanted to do something about it. I witnessed how little young Americans knew about the rest of the world and wanted to do something about it. And I realized how much I loved talking about history and working with young people, so I acted upon it.

What are your future plans?
I plan to eventually move up to high school. Ideally, I would like to teach ninth grade world history and AP World/European/US history.

How has COVID-19 impacted your education and teaching?
COVID-19 has seriously dismantled my capability to teach my students. The lockdown and directives from administration severely limited my ability to communicate with students in the early weeks. Thus the precedent was set, and the vast majority of students checked themselves out of learning. It is now that we are facing a societal 180 and that the understanding of people (ourselves and others) and society (past and present) become paramount.

(question to his intermediate school students)
How did Mr. Casciano’s class help to prepare you for the National History Day (NHD)* competition?
“Thank you so much, we could not have done it without your everlasting support! It was definitely a long journey, and we are so proud of ourselves. We have learned so much through this competition and will continue to use these lessons throughout our lives!”   ~ Cheydon Agos

“Thank you for supporting me while I was participating in National History Day. Although I put a lot of effort into my work, I’m always looking for ways to improve myself. This experience was a great one, and I’m definitely proud of how it turned out as well.”   ~ Jolene Palijo.

*Five of Casciano’s students made the Hawai‘i History Day Leeward District State Qualifiers list and one of his students won her category and will advance to the virtual national competition in June.