Received my makana for 15 years of service at the Kamehameha Schools today. 15 years went by really fast! So many good memories. My ETS ʻohana, Camp Erdman, Hoʻolauleʻa, Song Contest, field trips, sporting events, student admission interviews, conferences, the laughter, the relationships, and so much more.

Too many good things to mention in one post, but here are a few highlights…

2003 I had the best job in the world at Kapolei Elementary. Still, it’s always a good thing to try something new. I will always remember my very first day at Kamehameha Schools. (No matter how hard I try to forget.) It was a disaster. I flew over to the Big Island campus and laid an egg. An inauspicious debut to say the least.

2004 At first, I supported KS Preschools and Extension Ed. In the Fall of 2004, I moved to the elementary campus. Highlights were Camp Erdman, iMua Video, and my very first ISTE Conference in New Orleans.

2005 Went on my first 6th grade Big Island Huakaʻi. What a blast! Also got to go to ISTE in Philly. Played “hookie” one day and visited NYC.

2006 This is the year that I signed up for over 30 social media accounts. Launched iCan Café (informal professional development.) Our ETS Team also had an awesome retreat at the Punaluʻu Beach House.

2007 I volunteered for our Big Brothers Big Sisters after school program. Chaperoned our Hawaiian Astronomy Class in the summer with Judy. Tiana graduated.

2008 Presented at our first KS EdTech Conference at the Blaisdell. Joined Renee at the middle school. A definite highlight was leading worship for the 7th Grade Chapel. Celebrated 5 yrs at KS.

2009 My first experience as a club advisor. I believe that iMua Sports Network was the first of its kind at the middle school level.

2010 The highlight of the year was traveling to Australia for JEM. My homestay was with Deborah & Henry. Awesome life experience. Tris graduated.

2011 I attended ISTE. It was in Philly again. Also attended Blackboard World in Las Vegas.

2012 In the Spring, I tagged along on an EF Tour to Italy & Spain with Metz. My first time to Europe! In the summer, I attended ISTE in San Diego.

2013 Went on the Koa Planting trip to the Big Island. Moved to the high school to join the Bishop Boys. Celebrated a decade of service at Kamehameha. Presented at the iSummit at RDFZ Xishan in Beijing. Got to walk across the Great Wall of China. Wow!

2014 RDFZ visitation to our campus. Held our very first TEDxYouth@Kamehameha event! Went to ISTE in Atlanta. Serviced the Hawaiʻi campus middle school in the Fall (34 trips.)

2015  Established our TED-Ed Club and held an event. Had summer interns for the first time.

2016 Amazing, amazing trip to Machu Picchu and the Amazon. Bucket list stuff! Also participated in the Takahagi Friendship Exchange Program with the Japanese Club. Helped to bring EdCamp Honolulu to Kamehameha Schools. Incredibly, was selected to the TED-Ed Innovative Educators global cohort. Our Entrepreneurship Club participated in Kakaʻako Night Market @ SALT.

2017 Chaperoned our KES Children’s Chorus trip to Aotearoa. Attended the PL Summit in San Francisco. Was accepted into the Kealaʻula Innovations Institute.

2018 Attended SXSW EDU in Austin, TX. The following week, went on an R&D trip to the Bay Area with Kealaʻula. Capped off the school year with TED-Ed Club @ Hālau ʻĪnana. Phew.

The past 15 years have been an absolute blast! Very grateful for the blessing. Looking forward to the next 15. Imua…