Background
I started out teaching Social Studies at public, independent, and charter secondary schools in New York and Hawaiʻi, focusing on the exploration of history, current events, community, and conflict from multiple perspectives and for the purposes of inter-communal dialogue and understanding. I then taught Peace Education and Multicultural Education to preservice and in-service teachers at the College of Education. I was eventually invited to teach Leadership for Social Change, Peace Education, Peace Movements, and Conflict Management at the Matsunaga Institute. As the Institute’s Graduate Chair, I enjoy working with graduate students as they grow their conflict resolution skills. I also work to connect the Institute to the surrounding community through partnerships, the undergraduate and graduate Practicum program and seminar, the Peace/Constitution Day events, the Careers in Peacebuilding Speaker Series, and other events and webinar offerings.
Education
- PhD, International Comparative Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2006
- MA, Secondary Language Studies, New York University, 1996
- MA, Secondary Education, New York University, 1997
- BA, English, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 1994
Specializations
Leadership for social change; peace education; peace movements; intersection of climate and peace; and peace through art and journalism
Research
For the last few years, I have taught Peace and Leadership classes at the Matsunaga Institute while endeavoring to build bridges between the Institute and other local, national, and international peace organizations. With the Obama Foundation, I am currently working to develop leadership programs in the Asia Pacific region as well as building the Hawaiʻi Girls Opportunity Alliance network to educate and uplift girls, leading the Institueʻs internship/practicum program and continuing to cultivate opportunities for UH students to engage with the community at large.
Community Engagement
Through Ceeds of Peace, the Matsunaga Institute, the Peace Studio, ICP, USIP and other organizations, I have encouraged and facilitated the development of multiple community action plans for social and restorative justice, inclusion, personal and interpersonal peace and environmental justice as well as sustained dialogue for community healing and growth. I have volunteered with Hui Aloha to connect with houseless communities and support the building of kauhale. I have promoted ʻaina based learning and youth leadership across the islands.