About

     Aloha from Haleʻiwa, Hawaiʻi! The north shore of Oʻahu is a special place. As a global tourist destination, global competence skills are high priority for our students and community members. I am a math and science teacher servicing students in grades 4 through 6 at Sunset Beach Elementary School. I am passionate about learning, providing learning opportunities and connections for others (particularly my students), as well as local and global exploration with a focus on environmental science and sustainability.

     Seeking opportunities, such as the Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms fellowship, has led to incredible learning experiences for me, my students, and other interested educators and community members. “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.” — Nikos Kazantzakis

     What is the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program? From the Fulbright Teacher Exchanges website: "The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program is a yearlong professional learning opportunity and short-term exchange for elementary, middle, and high school educators from the United States to develop skills to prepare students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms equips educators to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration." Participants in the 2022-2023 cohort completed an intensive 10 week online course, collaborated on inter-school parner projects, attended a Global Symposium in Washington D.C., explored a guiding question through an International Field Experience (one of four countries), and completed a Global Education Guide. Learn more about the selection process for Fulbright TGC participants here.

     If you'd like to learn more about anything posted on this website, collaborate on a new project, or partner with me or other teachers in my community or state of Hawaiʻi on inter-school activities to give students opportunities to investigate the world, communicate ideas effectively, understand different perspectives, and take action, please contact me!

More Information Pertaining to My Main and Most Recent Educational Endeavors

• Use these links for more information on the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship and application process, or read my travel diary from my fellowship in the Galápagos Islands. 

• Here is more information about the National STEM Scholar program.

• Henry Ford had a global impact as an innovator and collector of innovative artifacts. The Henry Ford Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator immersive program is a valuable experience for educators! Read about my experience here.

• We are globally connected through oceans and the atmosphere. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has incredible (and free) tools and opportunities for educators and students.

• The National Energy Education Development Project also has free curriculum and activities to address several of the Sustainable Development Goals, but particularly #7, Affordable and Clean Energy. The activities and information are standards based and ready to implement!

• The Earth to Sky Academy (NASA and NPS) is intended for experienced interpreters, informal educators, and science communication leaders who have a strong commitment to furthering place-based climate literacy within their respective regions. Here is information about the regional team of Hawaiʻi. If you are an educator based in Hawaii and interested in participating in upcoming Earth to Sky regional workshops, please contact me.

     The author of this website was a participant in Fulbright Teacher Exchanges, programs of the United States Department of State, administered by IREX.  This website is not an official U. S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the participant’s own and do not represent the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, the U. S. Department of State, or IREX.