Hi, I'm Jenn
You care about helping students prepare for life after high school, and I understand the dedication that requires. I create engaging teaching resources designed to support educators and make that work more manageable.
As the eldest daughter of six children raised by a single mother, I learned responsibility early and became the first in my family to attend college. Along the way, I studied abroad in Mexico, backpacked across Europe and Asia, and went on to teach at a university in Japan. These experiences shaped how I approach teaching and connect with students and fellow educators.
Over time, I found my way back to teach English Learners and AVID students at my high school alma mater, where I continue to support students’ academic growth, college readiness, and life skills.
m.ed: educational administration
MA: English as a second language
prof. diploma: secondary ed
ba journalism, spanish minor
Welcome!
I’ve been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) since 1992, and since 2011, I’ve been back at my high school alma mater on O‘ahu as an AVID and reading teacher and the ESL program coordinator.
I love helping students uncover their unique strengths, believe in themselves, and reach their full potential.
My experiences shape the practical teaching resources I create for educators. Over the years, I’ve taught language arts, written grant proposals, coordinated international college programs, administered continuing education, led EL students to Washington, D.C. with the Close Up Program, organized a six-college AVID class tour of the Bay Area, and supported students through meaningful service-learning experiences.
I’m especially passionate about helping historically underrepresented students reach their full potential and succeed in life. I also enjoy supporting teachers and counselors by sharing resources and strategies that make your work easier.
Explore my FREE College and Career Readiness Planning Guide, teaching resources, and blog. Let me know how I can help.
I BELIEVE IN:
Taking risks, second chances, teacher unions, self-care, words of encouragement, empathy, differentiation, critical pedagogy, social justice, & inclusive, anti-racist, & 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 binging a Korean drama or interior design show on Netflix.
daily rituals
Morning coffee & stretching, long walks, check-ins with my young adult sons, positive self-talk, & good skincare.
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:
Chef's Table, Korean Dramas
coffee, matcha, or red wine
memoirs
All seafood, Italian, Hawaiian, & Japanese; I love a good BBQ!
Currently
listening:
Lizzo, Jawaiian, Salsa,
Adelle, or 80s alternative
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.
This That
coffee
BEACH
heels
Vegas
ANTHROPOLOGIE
white wine
Cold weather
or
TEA
mountains
comfort shoes
foreign country
J-CREW
red wine
warm weather
Where I stand on the super important stuff... Agree / disagree?
“Holy smokes this PowerPoint is amazing! She built in AVID strategies and made the explanation of note taking much simpler and interactive. This is a fantastic resource and highly recommended to new to AVID teachers (like myself) to best understand focused note taking. ”
so they say:
Four Essential Components of College & Career Readiness:
A Roadmap for Grades 9–12
College & Career Readiness Planning Guide for High School Classrooms
Better than Free Donuts!
i'm just an email away!
Did we just become teacher besties?
If you don't find what you need or have any questions, please let me know!
