Amanda Nelson
Title: Advanced Technology Specialist
Job site: Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design
Years in the HIDOE: 8
Years in the position: 2
Q: Briefly describe your career path.
A: I began my career as an elementary school teacher after graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Education. My first full two years were spent teaching upper elementary and coaching robotics at Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School. At this time, I started a master’s program in Curriculum Studies at UH Mānoa, focusing on STEMS2 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Sense of Place).
During the master’s program, I became the Technology Coordinator and STEM Teacher at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Pūʻōhala | Pūʻōhala School. I initially felt hesitant because I hadn’t planned on working at a bilingual school. I wanted to make sure that I could be helpful in supporting Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) students and teachers with technology. When I started at Pūʻōhala, I wasn’t familiar with Kaiapuni education and did not know any ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. In my first few days, colleagues encouraged me to begin learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. They also took time to share information with me about foundational contexts, like those found in The Foundational & Administrative Framework For Kaiapuni Education (FAFKE). If you haven’t read the FAFKE, I highly recommend it.
My experience at a bilingual school has transformed my perspective on how to meaningfully integrate technology to support students in both Kaiapuni and English medium programs. The critical need for relevant technology skills for all students became especially clear during the pandemic, which motivated me to collaborate with community partners to start to address broader system needs. This focus on system-wide support led to my brief term as the interim IT Manager for the Castle-Kahuku Complex, before transitioning to my current role as the Advanced Technology Specialist just over two years ago.
Q: What are your primary duties?
A: My primary responsibility currently is as the editor of a digital magazine publication from the Digital Design Team called ʻEnehana. ʻEnehana means technology in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and it is a monthly publication where we share about technology resources, updates, and insights to enhance teaching and learning. These publications are designed with both English and Kaiapuni programs in mind! All of our editions can be viewed online and anyone can subscribe!
Q: How did you get into this role?
A: I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in fourth grade. My first job was in middle school as a teaching assistant in a sewing class on the weekends and I knew teaching was for me. One of the reasons why I love technology with education so much is because of my time as a Kealakehe High School student in the incredible robotics program.
Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: My favorite part of the job is when I get to work with people throughout the department on helping to make their lives a little easier with technology. Also, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new and I love that!
Q: Most challenging part about your position?
A: The most challenging aspect is not being with students on a regular basis. I really miss being with them at school. A positive thing about this challenge is that when I do get to see students, it really makes my day!
Q: How does your role support students?
A: My role supports students by providing teachers and staff with the learning materials and opportunities that they need to feel more confident integrating technologies. I also help to support students by helping with the support of digital access to materials like Tutor.com/hawaii
Q: What advice do you have for people considering this position?
A: Keep learning and be willing to try out new things! A lot of the things I’ve learned with technology stems from being curious and asking myself, “I wonder if this will work..”
Q: Fun fact?
A: One of my favorite things to do in my free time (when I have it) is to work on quilting and embroidery projects.
