About Me

Hello, and welcome!

I’m Dr. Tom, and I am thrilled to get to know each one of you as we go on this journey of reading and writing together. We will explore the stories of others and write our own as we begin to dig into what makes us human.

This year, we will be expanding our academic skills in reading literary and informative texts, writing accurately and succinctly using well-researched information, and writing to tell stories both imaginary and real. Our class will emphasize the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for one's own education. Through reading literature, writing, and working together, we will push ourselves to write with more specific detail, with more cited textual support, and with more passion behind our topics of study.

Writing and storytelling is valuable, as we all have experiences and stories worth telling.

Education

Doctorate in Professional Educational Practice (EdD) (University of Hawai'i at Mānoa)- 2023
- Dissertation: Navigating the Voyage Within: Teacher Perceptions on Embedded Social Emotional Learning in the English Language Arts Classroom
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching (University of Oregon)- 2016
- Endorsements & Certification: Middle/High School (6-12) English Language Arts and ESOL
- B.A. English; Minor: Rhetoric and Media Studies (Willamette University)- 2015
High School: ‘Iolani School
Middle: Stevenson Middle School
Elementary: Mānoa Elementary School

Professional Affiliations:

Hawaii Society for Technology in Education Board Member (2023-2024)

Publications:

Buelow, S., Koja, C., Tom, M., & Bacon, H. R. (2023). Creating a common discourse on practitioner inquiry as stance. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy,

00, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.1278

Interests

Played the French horn for 10 years.
Played taiko for: Willamette Taiko Club, Ahiru Daiko, Taiko Center of the Pacific
Avid photographer, cyclist, and electronic music enthusiast
I love Studio Ghibli films!
My Teaching Philosophy

If you have any questions regarding homework assignments, my expectations, or would like more resources, please do not hesitate to drop by during my office hours or email me.

All the best,
Dr. Tom