I'm Jenn

I help high school teachers and counselors with teaching college and career readiness.

With over 30 years of teaching experience, I understand your dedication to helping your students achieve their goals, and I'd love to help you on this journey.

As the eldest daughter of a single mother with six children, I learned responsibility at a young age. Balancing schoolwork with chores, a part-time job, and caring for younger siblings, I became the first in my family to go to college on 100% financial aid.

After receiving four college degrees, completing two study abroad trips to Mexico, backpacking across Europe and Asia, and teaching at a university in Japan and a few colleges, I returned to my alma mater 13 years ago, where I now teach English Learners and AVID classes.

PhD Candidate: Education ("ABD")
m.ed: educational administration
MA: English as a second language
prof. diploma: secondary ed
ba journalism, spanish minor

Hey teacher friend!

I've been teaching English as a second language (ESL) since 1992, and since 2011, I've been teaching at my high school alma mater on the island of O’ahu. I'm currently also an AVID and reading teacher and the ESL program coordinator at my school.

My superpower is helping students find their superpower and become the best version of themselves.

My past experiences include teaching mainstream high school language arts, grant writing, coordinating college programs, hosting visiting international students and planning educational programs for them, taking students on the Close-Up Program in Washington, D.C., organizing a six-college tour of the San Francisco Bay Area (so much fun!), and facilitating numerous service-learning experiences for students.

I'm especially passionate about helping historically underserved and disadvantaged students realize their full potential, attend college, and succeed in life. I also enjoy helping teachers and counselors and would love to make your life easier in any way I can. Be sure to check out my free college and career readiness planning guide, teaching resources in my store, and tips on my blog!

I BELIEVE IN:

Taking risks, second chances, good coffee, teacher unions, self-care, words of encouragement, empathy, differentiation, social justice, and inclusive, anti-racist, and equitable teaching.

I'm NOT ABOUT:

Xenophobia, judging students by their dialect, no second chances, hustle culture, long lectures, or standardized testing.

YOU CAN FIND ME:

Doing community service with my students, standup paddle boarding, hiking, working out, or dancing salsa or bachata in my living room.

daily rituals

Morning coffee and stretching, long walks, check-ins with my teenage sons, positive self-talk, and good skincare.

I'm a Hawai'i-born-and-raised, small-town girl, mother, culturally-responsive teacher, double master's holder, and beach-loving globe-trotter.

watching:

DRINKING:

READING:

CRAVING:

Workin' Moms (Netflix)

coffee, espresso, or red wine

memoirs

seared ahi or an acai bowl

Currently

listening:

NPR, Alabama Shakes, or Adelle

My Favorite Things

Traveling!
(14 countries so far!)

my happy place!

Being on the water.

Beach walks

My Favorite Things

Sunshine. Wayfarers kickstarter semiotics, quinoa godard dreamcatcher hexagon pop-up hoodie.

my guilty pleasure

view more >

Ice cream. Microdosing gochujang keffiyeh salvia. Hoodie knausgaard art party.

Photos! Hashtag fashion axe palo santo fanny pack, ramps cornhole messenger bag asymmetrical direct trade slow-carb everyday carry chartreuse tofu godard.