“I wanted to be a member of the ambassador program to highlight opportunities and resources for undergraduate students, making them easier to access and encouraging greater involvement in the campus community.”

Hometown

Mākaha, Oʻahu

Department

School of Teacher Education - Secondary

Related Degrees

• BEd, Secondary Education

Why did you choose to pursue a BEd in Secondary Education?
I chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on social studies because I believe it is an extremely important field. I love supporting students and have a passion for studying history, so it made complete sense to earn my teaching license through this program.

How is the COE program impacting or benefitting your career path?
The most beneficial aspect of being a part of the COE is the connections I have made with faculty and colleagues. I would advise other students to reach out, make connections, and take advantage of every career-building opportunity available.

Is there anyone in particular who inspired you to pursue a career in education?
My dad was a special education teacher, and he inspired me to advocate for equity in education and to incorporate culture into my curriculum. Through my experiences as a Learning Assistant and Peer Mentor, I’ve learned the importance of building strong relationships with students and creating a supportive learning environment. In the future, I hope to guide students in connecting history to their own lives and identities, encouraging them to think critically about the world and their role in it.

Do you work or participate in any clubs or organizations in or outside of school?
I currently work for the Nā Hokua Program at the COE Center on Disability Studies, assisting Native Hawaiian students with academic counseling and career preparation. Additionally, I have recently obtained my substitute teaching certificate, which I recommend for students going through the program. I am also a member of the College of Education Student Association (CESA), which is UHM’s local chapter of the NEA Aspiring Educators program, where I have met many students from different education programs.

Why did you want to be a Social Media Ambassador for your program?
I wanted to be a member of the ambassador program to highlight opportunities and resources for undergraduate students, making them easier to access and encouraging greater involvement in the campus community. As a freshman and sophomore, I missed many of these opportunities and only discovered helpful resources by actively seeking them out through on-campus jobs and emails.

Through social media, I hope to highlight meaningful moments from student teaching and the BEd program. When choosing collaborators, I enjoy promoting local businesses and organizations, UH-affiliated programs, and initiatives that support Native Hawaiian communities. I’ve noticed that with greater exposure and education, students can make a real impact in areas such as sustainability, education, and justice.

For this program, I would love to highlight ʻāina workdays I participate in through the Center on Disability Studies, which is directly connected to the COE. Additionally, I see great potential in featuring CESA events, creating engaging “day-in-the-life” videos, and incorporating current trends to better reach a student audience. My goal is to produce content that feels authentic, relatable, and valuable.

What are your future plans with your degree?
I am deciding between several plans, all within education. One of the great things about this program is that it has already given me foundational teaching skills that I could use in multiple settings. I am currently applying for a master’s degree in American Studies, so I could either work toward becoming a professor or bring that knowledge back to a secondary classroom.