WELCOME

"Informed by my own personal background and experiences, I have a strong commitment in the support and promotion of diversity, inclusion, and representation (DIR) in education. I was born and raised in Guam, and my parents are immigrants from the Philippines. My family had very little financially, and growing up, I quickly learned the benefits of hard work and being resourceful with what I had. And while there was indeed many obstacles and barriers to overcome, I nevertheless endeavored to advance my learning and pursue higher education.
I am currently a clinical assistant professor of STEM education at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Prior to this position, I was a middle school math teacher in Guam where I was born and raised. I was also an adjunct math instructor at the University of Guam. While in Guam, I was a recipient of the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was appointed Guam Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2015. Then, in 2016 I moved to WA state where I taught high school math and was also selected to be part of a 10-member cohort of STEM education advocates known as STEM Teacher Ambassadors, which is synonymous for the program from which I was trained in policy advocacy. The STEM Teacher Ambassador program was funded by the National Science Foundation and was jointly spearheaded by the National Science Teaching Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
As a person of color in an American island territory and a first-generation college student, I know very well the difficulties and challenges that many students with disadvantaged backgrounds face and have always sought opportunities to support student success to my fullest capacity. Now in my professional career in higher education, I have had opportunities to advance DIR as informed through my scholarship, teaching, and service in the field of STEM education."