{"id":5322,"date":"2023-05-03T16:30:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T02:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coe.hawaii.edu\/ste\/profiles\/james-ro\/"},"modified":"2023-05-03T16:30:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T02:30:15","slug":"james-ro","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/coe.hawaii.edu\/ste\/profiles\/james-ro\/","title":{"rendered":"James Ro"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

COEAA Spotlight on James Ro (credit: Kevin Agtarap)<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Growing Up<\/h3>\n

I was born in California, but raised in Texas where I lived from about eight years old until I graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Navy. After serving for nine years and being stationed in Hawai\u02bbi, I got out of the Navy. I graduated from the University of Hawai\u02bbi at M\u0101noa College of Education in 2013 and made Hawai\u02bbi my home. I have a beautiful wife, daughter, and a newborn son who keeps me on my toes.<\/p>\n

Road to College<\/h3>\n

While I was in the Navy, I volunteered at nearby schools to help mentor and tutor kids wherever I was stationed. I really enjoyed working with kids, and I thought I would either become a teacher or a pediatrician until I figured out becoming a pediatrician was going to take too long. I heard about the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) program at Leeward Community College (LCC). Since the program fed into UH M\u0101noa, I figured I\u2019d enroll and the best part was there would be no rush hour traffic to sit in. I loved being at LCC and the whole staff there. I started the first Teacher’s Club and became the president. After graduating with honors, I went to UH M\u0101noa.<\/p>\n

College to Career<\/h3>\n

I had a great experience at UH. I loved that most of all my classes were in the same area, and I met so many people and made friends, some of whom are now my colleagues. To be honest, after I graduated from UH, I wanted to travel the world before starting my teaching career. I actually sold all of my belongings except one travel bag, but then reality set in. I had to get a job. My professor at that time knew of a public school that needed a position filled. So, I interviewed and got the job. I started as a P.E.\/Technology Coordinator at Barbers Point Elementary where I wore many hats. I coached their track and basketball teams, started their first robotics program, directed the Project Lead the Way program, and advised the student news program. I also transitioned the school into a Google Apps for Education (GAFE) school. Currently, I am the Technology Integration Specialist at Ka\u02bbimiloa Elementary School.<\/p>\n

Passion as an Educator<\/h3>\n

I love teaching and connecting with students, but I also found a passion for helping other educators learn about technology. In my first year of student teaching, I remember helping my mentor teacher use technology more effectively in her own classroom. Before that, I had part-time jobs at Best Buy and then the Apple store while going to school. If you had a broken iphone\/ipad\/ipod, there’s a good chance that I might have fixed it.<\/p>\n

I love building that trust to where a teacher or staff member can come up to me and ask me for help. They trust that I will help them in the best way that I can and they never feel that there’s a dumb question. I love how technology makes our lives a little easier. With the ever-changing times, we need to show our students how to use technology responsibly. We need to show them the dangers as well as the good that can come from technology.<\/p>\n

Air National Guard<\/h3>\n

I’m so grateful for the Hawai\u02bbi Air National Guard. They are the best kept secret! I always recommend anyone to join and it’s one of the best organizations that I’ve ever been a part of. As an Officer, I get the opportunity to lead Airmen in my squadron. I currently serve as a cyber operations officer with the 154th Communication Squadron on the Hickam Air Force Base side. As I learn how to be a great leader, I bring that into my school and vice versa. There’s always an opportunity to teach whether you’re in the Guard or in the classroom. As for projects, I had the opportunity to serve during the Kilauea eruptions. I served as a public affairs specialist and was in charge of make sure everyone was safe during news engagements in the hot zone. In fact, I shared that same experience with a fourth-grade class when they were studying land formations. I enjoy sharing my experiences with others in hopes they can learn more about the work that the Hawai\u02bbi Air National guard does.<\/p>\n

Three Fun Facts<\/h3>\n

1. I’ve been to North Korea.
\n2. I made a music video which was on the news.
\n3. I don’t know how to burp.<\/p>\n

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