"Unlearn your privilege as loss." Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

"If can, can.  If no can, no can." Hawaiian Creole Saying

“Thomas listened closely, but the other Spokanes slowly stretched their arms and legs, walked outside, and would not speak about any of it.  
They buried all of the pain and anger deep inside and it festered, then blossomed, and the bloom grew quickly.”
-Sherman Alexie, Reservation Blues, 175  
 

Tell us about your educational and professional path.
When I started college at the University of Hawai'i, I didn't have any goals beyond completing a college degree.  I had no idea what to major in, let alone what to do for a career.  I ultimately choose to major in English because I enjoy reading and writing.  After earning a BA in English Literature, I wanted to continue exploring the human condition as expressed through Literature, so I moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder.    CU Boulder's English Department offered me a scholarship to teach First-year Composition, and after that experience, I knew I finally found my calling.  After earning a MA in English Literature, I moved to Washington State and began teaching English at a brand new community college.  Three years into teaching, I knew there was more I needed to learn about teaching and learning, so I entered a PhD program in Multicultural Education at the University of Washington, Seattle.  After 7 years of Seattle weather, I knew it was time to leave the Pacific Northwest, and I headed for sunny California, which brought me to Santa Rosa Junior College.  

What are you most passionate about professionally?
Equity-specifically how working class, first-generation, linguistically and culturally diverse students navigate college to find success-is my passion!  Education is a means to transform ourselves and our world, and it's my hope to help my students awaken the power and consciousness already within themselves.   

What most excites you about your work with and contribution to APASS?
The Asian American and Pacific Islander American communities are broad and diverse, yet when discussed, this community is often painted with broad strokes that diminish our considerable differences.  It's my hope that our APASS community can build strong coalitions of respect that honor our differences as we move forward in unity.  I'm also thrilled to be working with Rima, Jerry and Tammy, who are amazingly talented educators!