Aloha and Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year!

I am so happy to be at Waikoloa School! My Hawaii-Teaching-Career started in Kohala in 1993 as a substitute. I taught in Seattle for 18 years before moving here. How did we get here? My husband did work for Mr. Dowsett in Seattle and was asked to come to Kohala to build the inside of his Hawaii house. It was only supposed to be a two month job, but because of the weather they were behind on the house and Bob stayed for the year and helped build from the framing to the end. Our son, who was just out of kindergarten, and I went back to Seattle. When the house was finished, Mr. Dowsett asked if we wanted to live in their O'hana house and take care of their 20 acres. I was all for it. "YES! I will take a one year leave of absence! Let's do it!" So, we did, and we never went back. :) 
 
I taught 5th grade and then 4th grade at Kohala Elementary and then got bumped. Back in the day, teachers could get bumped by more tenured teachers. So, I applied to Waikoloa Elementary and taught there from 1996 - 2000. I loved it! When a position opened back up in Kohala, I went back and taught in the middle school until 2012. I loved it there, too! After the crazy recession, we moved to Waikoloa because of my husband's job. I was planning on commuting to Kohala when we moved, but a language arts middle school position was open at Waikoloa, so I applied for it. I was so HAPPY when I got the job - and SO THANKFUL.
 
I am so grateful for our time in Kohala. We lived there for a total of 19 years, and our son graduated from Kohala High School in 2004. I still go to the dentist in Kohala and visit my friends any chance I get. 
 
I taught middle school language arts here in Waikoloa from 2012 until about 2017 when I decided to change things up a bit and become the EL Coordinator, the migrant ed coordinator, and an EL middle school language arts teacher. Change is always amazing! Today, my job is the following:  EL Coordinator, Migrant Ed Coordinator, Title 1 with Mrs. Lumanlan, Distance Learning Teacher. #WOW The good news is that I am in love with my job.
 
I REALLY want to connect with all of the families I work with through ParentSquare. Our school is just now getting that program going. If you get an invitation to join, please do! 
 
That is all for now. Please know that I support all children and families and am available to talk or email anytime.
808 883-6808 x315