Here’s a 4-min vid of what my typical day is like. So blessed to be working at KS and living here in Honolulu!
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
P.S. This vid is also my feeble attempt at becoming a legitimate “YouTuber.” Only thing left is to make one of those “50 Facts” vids… 😂
I love receiving Christmas photo cards from relatives and friends during the Christmas season. But I was never able to reciprocate. Getting Christmas cards printed seemed like such a “family” type of activity. I decided to change that.
I started making Christmas postcards to mail out to family and friends in 2013. It’s a great way of keeping in touch and spreading Christmas cheer. The very first one was of me riding an elephant in Thailand. Since then, it’s been an annual goal to travel to different places. You could half-jokingly say that these cards fuel my passion for travel.
Occasionally, people will ask me, “What’s your passion?” I reply, “I make Christmas cards…” And then I tell them this story. And if you’re wondering, I actually do pack a Santa hat on trips.
I now give out these postcards in lieu of gifts. Am I being too “cheap?” Actually, these cards cost thousands of dollars to produce. 🤗 Merry Christmas.
Just got back from a solo trip to Seoul. Had an amazing time! Here are some of the highlights in a 4½ minute video.
Kamsamnida🇰🇷
Excited to have attended Punahou’s Global Educator Strand this past week. My fave summer PD. Global Educator Strand was first developed for the chaperones of SGLI (Student Global Leadership Institute,) and is now open to anyone. I first attended Global Educator two summers ago in 2016.
Was able to reconnect with great friend Roddy from Japan, who facilitated this year’s event. And yes, it was great making new friendships from around the world. There were nearly 40 of us from 22 schools in 9 different countries. It was an amazing three days at the Wo International Center.
On Day 1, we introduced ourselves and our schools. We began to develop a working definition of global education. After lunch, we visited Jamey Clarke’s lab and learned about his teaching of physics through ukulele building and social conscience.
On Day 2, I had a morning meeting with teachers from Trinity School in NYC whom I had met at Global Educator in 2016. I missed Dr. Scott’s presentation, but was able to make it back for lunch and the afternoon breakout sessions.
On Day 3, we were treated to wonderful student presentations in the morning. I was later able to present on my TED-Ed journey. We ended our day with afternoon breakout sessions and the completion of our “Great Wall of Ideas.” We had our afterparty fika at the Study Hall in Puck’s Alley. It was great to spend time with these amazingly, awesome people.
The PD ended on Wednesday, but I attended the SGLI farewell picnic at Kaimana Beach (Waikiki) on Friday afternoon. A beautiful sunset, and a great way to end our time together.
Mahalo to Chai, Wendi, Lorelei, & Roddy, and congrats on another successful SGLI.
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…
Alan Tamayose 