Born in Los Angeles, California to a computer programming father and an English/Art teacher for a mother, I spent my childhood attending Waldorf School in a small coastal town called Mendocino. Returning to Los Angeles I was a scholar-athlete in high school, a member of the Debate Team, Chess Club, Video Production, Associated Student Body, and grew up in the Entertainment Industry.
After graduating High School, I attended Sacramento State University as a walk-on athlete and participated in Division 1-AA Football. While working as a college intern and my Bachelor of Arts, I ran our campus radio station KSSU 1580am to further my passion for audio engineering/production.
As a graduate student, I had the opportunity to serve on behalf of the Sacramento Parks and Recreation for the David Lubin Elementary School, which helped me transition into my teaching credential program back in Los Angeles.
Enrolled in my credential program and teaching an English/Math Intervention Course, I was a long term substitute for the William S. Hart School District and a CIF Certificated Varsity Football Coach. To support our football program I initiated a community based tutoring program called "Feed-An-Athlete" in which AP students from local high schools would tutor student-athletes in academic need. Student tutors received tutoring credits, student participants received intervention credits, and the entire program was "fueled" by local community food donations.
Once credentialed, I was hired at Northridge Academy High School, a newly developed High School in need of direction. Spending 6 amazing years of growing various programs, I was fortunate to create the first student-led live television broadcast program in our local district. "Puma News" as it was called has been the pinnacle of my achievements. Working in collaboration with various High Schools, California State University Northridge, and Community Members in a project based learning environment enabled students to grow into 21st century digital collaborators and communicators.
Continuing my professional growth I was selected by the Buck Institute for Project Based Learning to teach and participate in a "Linked-Learning" Pilot School at Belmont High in downtown Los Angeles. After writing and securing the Perkins Grant to increase technology in the classroom the focus has been on developing a project based learning cohort within the Multimedia Academy SLC. I have been successfully working with both 12th and 9th grade students implementing collaboration with industry partnerships and various local community members including the LA Chamber of Commerce, LA METRO, and AT&T.
In summer of 2012 my son Irie was born and Maui became our permanent residence. Growing various Digital Storytelling and Project Based Learning Environments has allowed self-motivated students continue to practice project based learning following the model of "Build Measure Learn" with an emphasis on our most valuable asset: "Nurturing Your Creativity."
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING/SUCCESSES:
2024 Masters of Arts in Education: Project Based Learning / Student Motivation / Effective Teaching Practices
2024 TEFL/TESOL Teaching English as a Foreign Language / Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language
2023 Renewed Dual Credential Arts & Media Communications, Industrial Engineering & Technology
2023 6th Annual Source Protection Video Contest
2023 Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation Video PSA Contest
2023 “IMUA” Teacher of the Month from Students and Staff
2022 School-Wide MIT “Scratch” Video Game Programming Competitive Contest
2022 Lahaina Intermediate Agenda Planner Design Challenge
2022 CODE.ORG - S.T.E.M. and MIT Scratch Participant for Computer Science
2021 USA NETWORK/Tradewind Productions/USA Network: Story Producer
2021 HIKI NO Published Student Film by Drew & Joa: West Maui Drivers Education
2021 HIKI NO Published Student Film by Karleina: Cliff Diving for the Luau
2021 Covid Exposure Self-Reported Student Classroom Situational Management
2021 Project Based Assessment Collaboration with Chris Webber
2021 PELE Awards
2021 PTSA Reflections "I Matter Because"
2021 $3000 Grant Award from 808 Digital Storytellers
2021 Lahainaluna High School Agenda Planner Design Challenge
2021 Lahainaluna High School Yearbook Design Challenge
2020 Teacher Remote Distance Learning WEBSITE Training
2020 HIKI NO PBS: SRO Marvin Tavaga (by Nalani Kirkman)
2020 PELE Awards 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention (Link Here)
2020 808 Digital Storytellers
2019 $30,000 Grant by Tradewind Productions/USA Network (Article)
2019 Lahainaluna 2nd Annual Film Festival: Films Here
2019 LAHAINA STRONG: Hurricane Lane Lahaina Fire Film
2019 HIKI NO PBS: "I KA NANI O LELE" Film
2019 PELE Awards 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention (Link Here)
2018 NFL DRAFT 2018 Hercules Mata'afa Film (Part 1) (Part 2)
2018 HIKI NO PBS Film Training
2018 Maui County Resolution: Lahainaluna Football State Champs Film
2018 Maui County Water Source Protection: 2nd Place Film Winner
2018 PELE Awards Honorable Mention Graphic Design
2018 Olelo Community Media Youth Xchange Film Festival
2018 Maui Police Department: Emergency Preparedness Training Film
2018 Lahainaluna 1st Annual Film Festival: Films Here
2018 Lahainaluna Text-A-Tip Program Artistry
2017 Lahainaluna High School: CTE Promotional Film
2017 Triennial Emergency Exercise: 2017 JHM West Maui Kapalua Airport Training
2016 STEM Conference: Honorable Mention Video Recap
2016 Boarders Liming the L - Mini Documentary Film
2016 SKILLS USA Digital Media Participant (Oahu)
2016 Canoe Complex Numeracy Film
2015 Upward Bound UH Maui
2015 Maui Coaches Clinic Certification
2014 HiCore 5-2-1-0 Summer Nutrition Participant/Instructor (UHMC)
2013-2014 PBS Hawaii Hiki No Franchise AKAKU Participant
2012 Hawaii Teacher Standard Board CTE 6-12 DUAL Credential (IET & Arts Communications)
2012 State of Hawai’i LiveScan Clearance
2011-2012 Chamber of Commerce Career Pathways Symposium
2011 Los Angeles City Section (Southern) Coaching and CPR
2011 Buck Institute Project Based Learning
2011 Enrolled Masters in Education (Technology emphasis in Visual/Digital Storytelling)
2010 Google Docs Collaborative Model Training
2009 W.A.S.C. Professional Development and 5 Year Accreditation
2005 California Clear Teaching Credential Industrial Arts and Technology Education
2005 B.T.S.A. Career Technical Education Certification
2004 Los Angeles Unified School District University Intern Credentialing Program
2004 C.B.E.S.T. Substitute Credential
2004 C.I.F. Foothill League Coaching and CPR