Aloha! I’m proud and excited to be the Hawaii Ambassador/Facilitator for Choose Love. Ironically, I was born in Connecticut but moved away at a very young age since I’m a military brat. I lived in Hawaii from 7-11 years old and I’m fortunate that I’ve been back over 4 years now. 

I have professional values and morals and I’ve taught Choose Love online and in the classroom. I want to help instill, in all, the fundamental ways they can be prepared for now and their future by Choosing Love. Being an attentive, motivated and dynamic individual is what I convey, and this connects me to the students, teachers and staff members. I promote and encourage questioning, persistence, and confidence. I enjoy teaching and boosting critical-thinking skills and understanding of the human condition. I’ve been giving Choose Love professional development courses and assemblies for students and the staff at many schools on a number of our Hawaiian islands. 

I’ve been an educator for many years and been fortunate to share my diverse lifestyle in many classrooms. The privilege has also been mine because I’m always learning too. I strive to teach citizenship, friendship, and responsibility. My capabilities and experience help create lifelong learners. Each student has a wide range of growth areas including social, physical, mental, and emotional. 

On my journey to becoming a teacher I had two strong female mentors. They helped me develop high standards for myself. They mentored me through the trials that helped me learn to communicate effectively within my student teaching timeframe. They taught me to embody the role of a facilitator and create a community where everyone feels included. They also directed me toward a growth mindset. I do my best to instill community and global consciousness, leadership and excellence. I also have been very lucky to have my most recent mentor, Phyllis Unebasami, guide me here on Oahu and the neighboring islands. Phyllis highlights culture, character and identity as extremely important at this stage in student’s lives. I continue to support the growth of integrity and curiosity. In addition, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to spend time traveling and learning from Scarlett Lewis, the founder of Choose Love. 

Lastly, my credentials include wife, parent, military spouse, former Peace Corps Volunteer, certified yoga teacher, certified Lifecoach, and I have a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education with an emphasis in English. I’ve taught EFL, ESL, and TOEFL in Belgium, Japan, Russian, Kyrgyzstan, and S. Korea. Some of my interests include traveling, hiking, pickleball, outrigger canoe paddling, cooking, reading, tea, chocolate, meditation and journaling.