Kahalenoe Kamalani
MEd Special Education, BCBA-Track Graduate
"The professors are always willing to share their knowledge and go above and beyond to answer any questions I may have."
Hometown
Mililani, Hawai‘i
Department
Special Education
Related Degrees
- MEd, SPED: BCBA
- MEd, SPED: Interdisciplinary
- BCBA/BCaBA Course Sequence
Where are you currently working?
I work full-time as a Registered Behavior Technician/Lead Floor Supervisor for an intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic.
How did you become interested in this field?
I chose to do my service learning for my associate degree in a special education resource classroom and really enjoyed the experience, so I pursed a job as a skills trainer after graduation and have been in love ever since.
Why did you choose to pursue the MEd in SPED with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst emphasis?
There were several great programs with a longer history in ABA, but I ultimately wanted to have the close relationships and culture that UHM has to offer.
What has been the best part of the program experience so far?
The valuable and constant feedback. The professors are always willing to share their knowledge and go above and beyond to answer any questions I may have. They’re very responsive to my questions and concerns.
In what ways do you hope to make a difference using the knowledge you have gained?
By continuing to learn and becoming a leader in the field of ABA, so I can provide quality therapy to children who need it the most.
How are the people and the program in the COE helping you along your way?
My advisor and instructors always respond so quickly to any emails I send regarding any concerns.
What are your post-program plans?
Prepare for the board exam, gain more work experience, and apply for the doctoral program at UHM.