Education & License:
- B.A. in Psychology 1983 (St. Martins University)
- M.S. in Counseling (Southern Connecticut State University)
- MAT from the University of Portland in 2006.
- Licensed teacher in the state of Oregon since 2006; current license status: Professional Teaching License
Aloha! Please allow me to introduce myself. My husband and I are both from Hawaii (part Native), and we moved to Oregon in 1992. We have 3 adult sons who we enjoy spending time with whenever that is possible. Culture is very important in our family and we embrace the impact that culture bring to our communities and all facets of life. We love to share stories and learn from everyone.
Prior to joining PDLP, I taught grades 1-3 in the North Clackamas School District. My background also includes a Masters Degree in Counseling and I worked in the field of Community Mental Health for over 12 years. In 2010, I was one of the original teachers to help launch PDLP and I never looked back! As a program, our journey has been tremendous, and we have grown into, what I believe, is an amazing learning choice for students and families! Each year is an opportunity for excellence in academic endeavors and for building strong relationships with our families and students.
In my free time, I truly enjoy relaxing, playing board games with family and friends, gardening, reading, scrapbooking, trying out new restaurants, and hanging out with my dog. I am also an avid sports fan and enjoy watching or participating in a variety of sports. Football is my favorite (Go Ducks/Seahawks)! My most favorite thing is to be on a beach, preferably in Hawaii, with my toes in the sand and the sun on my back!
Briefly, here are just a few statements I believe sum up my core belief/philosophy as related to education:
- Every child/student has the capacity to succeed and to be provided with an equitable opportunity to do so regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family dynamics, gender and any inherent challenges.
- Change is inevitable and should not be feared but faced as a challenge to continued learning and growth and possibilities.
- A student that develops critical thinking skills is well prepared to engage in problem solving, and possess a deeper understanding of knowledge that can then be applied in multiple subjects, life situations, and in creative opportunities and pursuits.