Over the last 37 years, Dr. Pinner has taught Earth & Space science to 8th grade Hilo Intermediate School students on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pascale has also taught math, writing in the content areas, health, and directed the school’s Gifted and Talented program. As a science methods lecturer for 4 years at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Pascale was also able to share her passion for teaching with pre-service educators.

Dr. Pinner has procured numerous grants, including a large Math/Science Partnership (MSP) Title IIb grant where her services as the Curriculum Coordinator/Co-Principal Investigator impacted over 1500 students. Pascale developed the Teacher-to-Teacher (T2T) professional development model in science while working with 43 teachers in grades K-6.

Over the last four years, funding from grants and participating schools has allowed Dr. Pinner to continue developing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curricula. Currently, Pascale works with 54 elementary teachers in grades 3-6 to implement hands-on NGSS-aligned lessons to over 2100 students on the east side of Hawaii island.

Pascale began her career by earning a B.A. in Biology and a Secondary Teaching Certificate from University of Hawaii at Hilo. A Professional Certificate in Secondary Education and National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science followed these degrees. Dr. Pinner completed her PhD in Educational/Teacher Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in 2012.

Dr. Pinner currently serves as the President of the Hawaii Science & Technology Museum Executive Board. Pascale has received many awards including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching, the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year (HI-STOY 2008), and the Excellence in Education Award (Hawaii State/SW Region 2024) from the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Society. Dr. Pinner also completed the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship in the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists in the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Pascale has published and presented at a number of regional, national, and international conferences, where she continues to share her enthusiasm for all things science and STEM.