# data[].attributes.body
Professional Identity:  I am a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher this year, after a four year hiatus from early childhood.
Personal Identity:  I love life.  I love books.  I enjoy my own company.
Cultural Identity:  I am a mutt.
Relational Identity: Close to almost everyone in my family.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am an RTI specialist, 2nd year at Kaunakakai Elementary School.  I service students in grades 3-6. I have been teachers for 20 years on the island of Molokai.
2. Personal Identity: I really enjoy nature. Being outdoors.
3. Cultural Identity: I was born on O'ahu but raised between Hawaii and American Samoa. I am bilingual: speak, read and write Samoan.
4. Relational Identity: My nephew is born on my birthday. However we are totally two different people.

# data[].attributes.body
Professional Identity:

I am a second grade teacher at Kilohana Elementary School on Molokai. This will be my third year of teaching second grade. I previously taught 6th.

Personal Identity:

I enjoy dancing hula, making lei, traveling, and spending time with my ‘ohana.

Cultural Identity:

I was born and raised on Molokai. I have lived on Molokai my whole life. Growing up we would spend every Sunday with our grandparents at the best on the west side of the island or go see a movie at the theaters.

Relational Identity:

I am a mom to two keiki. Kailiah and Keawe Koko. Kailiah is a senior this year and Keawe Koko will be in the 4th grade.  I have been with my husband since high school(this year makes 20 years).

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am entering my 14th year of teaching. I teach 3rd grade at Kaunakakai Elementary.

2. Personal Identity: I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and going to the beach.

2. Cultural Identity: I was born and raised on Molokai. Growing up, I've always enjoyed spending time with my grandparents, learning to cook traditional family recipes that were shared during family gatherings.

4. Relational Identity: My husband and I have two amazing children (11 and 7 years old).

# data[].attributes.body
Professional Identity - This school year I’m in a new position at Kilohana Elementary on Molokaʻi as a RTI teacher/Interventionist. I previously taught first grade at Kualapuʻ’u Elementary. Grateful to have graduated from the UH Mānoa MEdT program during the pandemic. Prior to completing my licensure, I was an emergency hire teacher at Maunaloa and Kilohana Elementary Schools and tutored for the Molokai Live/Uplink programs at Molokai High and Middle School. I started teaching as an English immersion teacher overseas in Guilin, China before returning to Hawaiʻi.

Personal Identity - I was born on the North shore of Oahu and love the ocean. I was later raised by my mom in Seattle and returned to spend summers Manaʻe, Molokaʻi with my dad. I feel honored to be here again now, as a kumu. An interesting fact about me: I previously worked as an aircraft mechanic on jets and as a diesel technician on school buses before changing careers to become an educator.

Cultural Identity - Inherited Scots, Irish, German and Choctaw genes from my family. I’m still learning more about where my ancestors came from and how their descendents progressed westward towards these islands. I’m planning a trip to the Scottish highlands to learn more about my mother’s side of the family. I hope to visit an area where, generations ago, I had relatives living on a remote Hebridean island. That I live on now one in the Pacific still amazes me.

Relational Identity - Lucky to be with my wonderful partner for the past seven years. We were childhood friends who reconnected as adults. His ohana shares their Okinawan and Filipino (Ilokano) traditions generously with me, as I try to catch on. If dancing is involved, I’m not shy. Maybe you saw me at the Bon Dance in Kaunakakai.

I will jump on a bus or subway in a strange city but I can get intimidated in the kitchen. Lucky my loved ones stay patient with me. I usually make the salad :) My favorite foods include anything spicy, kimchee, fried fish and furikake on hot rice, mochi, fresh fruits and local honey.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am a 2nd Grade Teacher at Kaunakakai Elementary School on Molokai, and am currently about to begin my 3rd year of teaching. :)
2. Personal Identity: I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with family. The beach is one of my absolute favorite places to be.
3. Cultural Identity: I was born and raised on Molokai. It's where my heart is, and where I always knew I'd want to raise my kids. I really enjoy being a teacher here too. To be able to serve my community in this kind of capacity, and to be able to be a support to our local kiddos is something I'm super proud of.
4: Relational Identity: I'm married to my high school sweetheart, and together we have three amazing children (2 boys, ages 13 and 10, and a girl, age 11 months). They are my everything.

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I am a 4th grade teacher at Princess Nahi’ena’ena in Lahaina and love my job. I also mentor our Robotics team which is always fun and sometimes a little crazy.

I am a proud grandma of 4 beautiful babies, all 3 years old and younger.

Though not Norwegian by blood, I did live there for 9 years and loved the experience. I learned a new language as an adult, made some amazing friends, and lived a totally different life than the one pm living now in Hawaii.

Connecting with my 3 adult children this summer was incredible. My heart is full and my joy complete.

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1. Professional Identity- I am the District Education Specialist for Canoe.  In my position I have many roles, one of which is the Lead of the LETRS initiative for HLLM. Before moving to Hawaii, I taught in the classroom for 22 years in California and was a Reading Professor at the University of Wisconsin.
2. Personal Identity- I am a mom to three awesome kids (who are grown) and a grandma to one (almost two) grandsons. I love to bake in my free time.
3. Cultural Identity- I love to bake for bake for people and share food from my family's recipes. I am both a beach person (California & Maui) and a mountain lover (Wisconsin).
4. Relational Identity- I live with my boyfriend and two Doodles, am a mom of three, and a grandma to one with another one on the way.

# data[].attributes.body
1.  Professional Identity: This will be my first year as the RTI teacher for grades K-2 at Kaunakakai Elementary School. Prior to this year, I taught first grade for 26 years (22 at Kaunakakai and 4 in San Francisco).
2. Personal Identity: I enjoy camping with my family.
3. Cultural Identity: I was born and raised on Molokai. When I was young I would spend the summers in New Hampshire (where my dad was from) and in the Philippines (where my mom is from).
4. Relational Identity:  My husband and I have 3 boys, ages 14, 12, and 9.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am entering my 26th year as a elementary educator. I began teaching Kindergarten in LA Unified School District in 1997.  During that time I earned my teaching credential as well as my Masters Degree in Education. In 2000, I moved school districts to be closer to my new baby, I began teaching Kindergarten in a Dual Language program, for Azusa Unified School District.  I taught for Azusa Unified for 17 year before being laid off due to reduction in force.  I then subbed for 2 years before beginning another Kindergarten assignment at a Public Charter School in South Central Los Angeles.  I taught in South Central for two years from 2018-2020.  In July of 2020, I took my first teaching job in Hawaii at Kualapu’u Public Conversion Charter School on the island of Molokai.  I loved working there because half the school was being taught in Olelo Hawaii, and I learned so much about Hawaiian Culture Based Education, which I have a great passion for!  I taught first and second grade during 2020/2021 school year in Molokai before finally moving to Maui!  Currently, I am beginning my third year teaching Kindergarten at Kam III. Elementary School.

2. Personal Identity:  I love all things that involve the ocean! I love to dive, snorkel, paddle board and kayak!  I spend most of my time at the beach. Living here has always been a distance dream! I feel blessed and honored every day to be here serving this community!  I love Maui and I hope to never leave!

3. Cultural Identity: I am a proud Latina, of Mexican/American decent.  I am very interested in Hawaiian studies, as well as Hawaiian Culture Based Education.  I feel a strong responsibility to educate my students about the very special place they live by bringing Hawaiian culture, values and basic principals into my teaching and incorporating them throughout the year! It’s my passion!

4. Relational Identity: I am a proud mother of two! My daughter, Olivia is 21 years old beginning her Sophomore year at San Francisco State University, majoring in journalism.  My son, Aidan is 19 and is currently attending Pasadena City College, he hopes to transfer to UC Santa Cruz in the Winter!

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1. Professional Identity: I am a first grade teacher at King Kamehameha III
Elementary School.  I am in my third year teaching.
2. Personal Identity: I enjoy traveling to places to experience nature.  I spent summer of 2022 taking my family to seven National parks, eight including Hale'Akala!
3. Cultural Identity: I was born in Texas, but moved away when I was young.  After college, I lived in 9 states in 13 years, settling in Maui in 2007. I live the by the philosophy of experiencing the lives and cultures of our global brothers and sisters.
4:Relational Identity: I spend my free time with my family. My wife and I met shortly after I moved to Maui. We have been married for 12 years and have two beautiful children together named Lincoln and Liberty. We are related to Abraham Lincoln's first vice president.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity:  I am a 5th grade teacher at King Kamehameha III Elementary.

2. Personal Identity: I enjoy quilting, cooking, and Goose.

3. Cultural Identity: I enjoy sharing food and playing games.

4. Relational Identity: My parents and brother's family live in Haiku where I grew up.  My husband and I just celebrated our 5th anniversary :)

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am a kindergarten teacher at Lānaʻi High & Elementary School. This year, I will continue to have the pleasure of teaching the children of some of my former students!
2. Personal Identity: I need my early morning walks and I love reading.
3. Cultural Identity: My culture is in the roots of my family and we enjoy spending time together and fostering care.
4. Relational Identity: I grew up in a family of girls but now I'm in a family of boys with my husband and being a mom to a high schooler and a middle schooler.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity:  I am a special education teacher, at Lāna'i High and Elementary at the elementary level.

2. Personal Identity: I love to travel, practice yoga, garden, read, listen to music, and eat good vegan food.

3. Cultural Identity: I grew up in Michigan in a large industrial metropolitan area. Although I respect the significant innovations by the auto industry, I longed for a connection with nature. I searched for natural spaces and thrived when I could take my shoes off and feel the earth between my toes surrounded by deciduous trees. I moved to Lāna'i in 2016. Living in an extremely rural environment has helped me develop a deep connection with nature. I spend my free time building healthy connections with self, community, and place.

4. Relational Identity: I have a wonderful husband, 6 children, and two French bulldogs.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I’m a teacher at Hana High & Elementary School. I teach a 2/3 combo class. This will be my eighth year teaching.

2. Personal Identity: I enjoy going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. In my spare time I like to play trivia and word search games. Yoga has always been something I’ve enjoyed but haven’t had the time for lately. One of my goals this year is to make time to practice yoga consistently.

3. Cultural Identity: I was born and raised in Hana. I grew up with a large family. My mom is one of 14 siblings. Growing up we spent every Sunday playing volleyball on the beach and having large potlucks. One of my favorite memories growing up was when would make an imu to cook a pig. My cousins and I  couldn’t wait for it to be done. We eagerly waited to eat a piece of crispy pork skin fresh out of the imu.

4. Relational Identity: I’ve been married to my husband Kona for 24 years. We have 3 children, a 21 year old son, 19 year old daughter and 5 year old son. We also have a 3 year old granddaughter. I’m the oldest sibling and only girl. I have two younger brothers. I’m an Aunt to two nieces and two nephews.

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Working in the lo'i kalo (wetland taro patch).

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1. Professional Identity:
I'm a 3rd-grade teacher.

2. Personal Identity:
I'm a farmer.

3.  Cultural Identity:
I am Hawaiian/Filipino.  As I care for the land,  it is helping me to heal.

4. Relational Identity:
I have a son and daughter that I am very proud of.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I’ve been in the field of education for almost 30 years. I started teaching right after graduating college in the Philippines. I’m entering my 16th year working at King Kamehameha III Elementary School. I’ve been an EL teacher here for 10 years. Teaching ELs has become my passion because I was an EL student turned EL teacher.
2. Personal identity: Movement is key to my mental health. Working out is a non negotiable activity in my life. If I’m not working out then I’ll be hiking, walking on the beach, snorkeling, or dancing while Alexa plays my favorite beats. I love traveling, exploring new places, going on adventures, and creating memories with loved ones.
3. Cultural Identity: I am proud of my Philippine heritage and its rich culture we have spread globally. I would not be thriving today without my cultural background and belief system. I appreciate  the diverse cultures that people have brought here to the Hawaiian islands.
4. Relational Identity: I am a proud mom of two boys who are both in serious adulting mode. Spending quality time with my family and friends is my love language. I identity as a member of the fruit salad family because my siblings and I are all named fruits. Can you guess their names? (Hint: I have 2 sisters and 1 brother).

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1. Professional Identity: I am starting my 22nd year of teaching.  I am a first grade teacher at King Kamehameha III.
2. Personal Identity:  I enjoy adventures, beaches, mountains, rivers and lakes.  I also enjoy watching sports.  I cheer for the 49ers and Michigan.  Go Blue!
3. Cultural Identity: I grew up in California.  I enjoy all things outdoors.  I enjoy visiting other places to soak up different cultures.
4. Relational Identity: I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children.  I also enjoy spending time with my family in California.

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1. Professional Identity: I am a first grade teacher at King Kamehameha III. This is my 14th year teaching in Maui and my 26th year teaching.
2. Personal Identity: I am originally from California. I have lived on Maui for 13 years. I enjoy reading, spending time at the beach, walking my 3 dogs and taking my daughter to the barn to watch her ride her horse.
3. Cultural Identity: I enjoy relaxing on the beach with friends and family, reading a book with the occasional mimosa.
4: Relational Identity: I am a wife and a mother of 3 children ages 20, 19 and 12.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Professional Identity: I am starting my 7th year at Princess Nahi'ena'ena. This is my second year in 4th Grade.

2. Personal Identity: I am obsessed with pugs and love to travel. I'll be going to Budapest, Prague, and Australia this year!

3. Cultural Identity: I am from Missouri, and sports are a big part of everyone's lives. I try to attend as many St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Blues games as I can when I visit.

4. Relational Identity: I married my Maui boy a little over a year ago! We spent the summer with my parents, grandparents, three sisters, and seven (soon to be 8) nieces and nephews. My family is my entire world 🤍

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1. Professional Identity: I am a special education teacher at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary. I’ve enjoyed teaching kindergarten and first grade as an inclusion teacher and this past year as the FSC teacher.
2. Persononal Identity: I’ve always enjoyed my time with horses and riding. Growing up I always rode and had my horse, “Marshall,” who now also teaches special needs students :) I still ride often and enjoy anything outdoors.
3. Cultural Identity: I grew up in New Jersey and have lived on Maui for 6 years. Although very different places, I’ve always enjoyed learning and trying new things, especially food!
4. Relational Identity: I love to visiting my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews as often as I can and have build wonderful relationships here in Hawaii.

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1. Professional Identity: I am grateful to be a special education teacher at Lahaina Intermediate. I typically work with 7th and 8th graders in math and science classes.
2. Personal Identity: I am a sister, mother, runner, avid ocean enjoyer, smoothie maker, and friend.
3. Cultural Identity: I grew up in northern California and was always taught to be respectful and open to learning about all walks of life.
4. Relational Identity: I have 2 boys who are always on my mind: my sweet son who just turned 10 and my handsome intelligent boyfriend:)

# data[].attributes.body
Aloha, I’m Kim and I’m happy to say that I teach kindergarten and I just finished 10 years at Princess Nahiena’ena.

In my personal life, I’d love to be creative, to have company from the mainland, to hang out with my friends here on the island, and to play in the water as much as possible.

Culturally identify as a Mexican, American female, and I am first generation born in the US. My father’s family is from Mexico and my mother’s family is French Canadian with a good portion of American Indian.

My family consist of my beautiful 35 year old son, 13 year old pup, and a four year old cat. My grandmother would be considered my parent and she will be 100 this year on Christmas Eve. I have no parents and I have no siblings but I have a lot of wonderful cousins and Hanai ohana.

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1. Professional Identity:  I teach 8th grade math at Molokai Middle School.  I am also a mentor for our New Teacher Induction program.  I taught ELA 7th and 8th grade for about 10 years and HLIP 6th grade for 10 years before that.  I like trying new things even though it may seem a little extreme at times.
2. Personal Identity: Some of my hobbies include spending time with my family, cooking, baking (especially during the holidays), and playing all kinds of sports, especially volleyball.

Cultural Identity: I love it here on Molokai.  This is where I was able to make connections with both sides of my maternal and paternal families and their place.  Our family is culturally and spiritually grounded in our beliefs and the Hawaiian language.
Relational Identity: I’ve been married to my husband for 39 years and counting.  We’ve been teaching side by side for most of our teaching careers.  We have four beautiful children (2 boys and 2 girls).  We also have five grandchildren.  Our daughters are also educators.  Our sons have the knack for helping and teaching others in their construction and health job fields.

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1. Professional Identity: I am a fourth grade teacher proud to be entering my 11th year teaching at Princess Nahiena'ena Elementary School in Lahaina, Maui.
2. Personal Identity: I enjoy music and art. Life is beautiful and I enjoy the celebration of life through beautiful and creative expression.
3. I have traveled to 15 countries around the world and have met incredible people full of wisdom and humility. I believe in equal rights and human dignity for all.
4. Relational Identity: I have a loving husband and many dear friends. I strive to have the best possible relationships with my fellow humans. I certainly delight in the wisdom and fun my students bring!

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1. Professional Identity: I am a second year kindergarten teacher at Princess Nahi'ena'ena Elementary
2. Personal Identity: My husband and I are farmers. We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 1 bunny, 2 nigerian goats, 2 sheeps, and 2 ducks. we are also kalo farmers (taro).
3. Cultural Identity: One of my favorite ways to share my cultural identity with others is through music, language, and history. Being raised here in Hawai'i, I always enjoyed sharing my culture with others. I love to teach my students music with my ukulele.
4. Relational Identity: My husband and I have been married for 4 year but together for 10 years (high school sweethearts). we have two boys age 3 and a 7 month old (both December babies).

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1. Professional Identity: This will be my 11th year as a first grade teacher at King Kamehameha  III Elementary School in Lahaina, Maui.
2. Personal Identity: I am originally from Texas and have lived on Maui for 14 years.  I enjoy taking walks with my dog Rico, listening to True Crime podcasts, and snorkeling!
3. Cultural Identity: I like to share where I am from through food and hospitality. Being from the south (Texas) I have always loved Tex-Mex and I enjoy cooking and sharing these meals with others. Some of my favorites are enchiladas, queso, and tacos!
4. Relational Identity:  My husband and I celebrated out 12th wedding anniversary this past July!

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1. Professional Identity: I have been teaching at Hana School for 20 years. I taught 2nd and 3rd grade and then the last 8 years have been in kindergarten (the best grade!)
2. Personal Identity: I enjoy reading, painting, and gardening with succulents,  I have 2 dogs and enjoy taking them for walks in the mornings!
3. Cultural Identity: I love the small town familiarity of Hana, and I feel at home here.  I am a beach person and watching the waves, feeling the sun on my skin, and sand on my feet, feeds my soul.  I strive to be a positive role model for others and am inspired by my students to help them learn more every day.
4. Relational Identity: I've been married to my hardworking husband for 20 years, and we have 2 beautiful girls ages 15 and 12.

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1. Professional Identity: I am a Resource Teacher and one of the LETRS leads for HLLM Complex. I primarily focus on Literacy and Science. Before this role, I taught 5th-8th grade ELA for 8 years.
2. Personal Identity: I've been a vegetarian for 20 years!
3. Cultural Identity: One of my favorite ways to share my cultural identity with others is through food and cooking for people. I come from an agriculture family so being able to cook what I grow is even more meaningful. Some of my favorites to make are homemade pasta, any type of dessert, and breads.
4. Relational Identity: My first nephew was born on May 9, 2023 and I'm officially an auntie to the cutest little boy ever 🥰

# data[].attributes.body
James Paul Gee’s (1999) research tells us that we all have socially situated identities , multiple identities we use to navigate different complex social situations and environments embedded in a larger complex sociocultural context.  In a Teacher Learning Community (TLC) we are constantly co-constructing our identities and learning together as we move through the Lab process. It is important that we get to know one another on a deeper level, past our school identities. Prior to our Kick-Off, please take some time to reflect and share the following:

1. Professional Identity: Share one aspect your job (your school, your position, your profession).

2. Personal Identity: Share one personal aspect of your personal identity (i.e., vegetarian, traveler, soccer player, hobbies, etc.)

3. Cultural Identity: Share one aspect of your cultural identity Note: Please define culture in an expanded way.  This means you should consider the following aspects of culture, but not limited to: ethnic background, language, social and political life, religion, shared values/customs/traditions/pop culture/shared beliefs, etc…).

4. Relational Identity: Share one aspect of people that you are close to (children, brother/sister, auntie/uncle, etc…)?

Please include a picture that represents you as well!

Feel free to like and comment on othersʻ posts!