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Meet the team

Dr. Amber Strong Makaiau is a Specialist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education Institute for Teacher Education Secondary Program. She is also the Director of the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center and the Director of Curriculum and Research at the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. She is a dedicated practitioner of philosophy for children Hawai‘i who achieved National Board Certification while teaching secondary social studies in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education for over ten years. Her current projects include carrying out progressive, multicultural, social justice, and democratic approaches to pre-service social studies teacher education, using self-study research methodologies to promote international collaboration, and developing the emergent field of deliberative pedagogy.

Veronica Kimi joined the Hanahau‘oli Professional Development Center in 2018. Veronica holds a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA, professional experience in marketing, communications, and human resources, and an MEd from Chaminade University. Her previous work experience includes roles as Employee Relations & Training Manager for Hilton Hawaiian Village and Account Executive for local advertising agency, MVNP. She currently plays an essential role in supporting the PDC’s growing mission to serve the entire Hanahau‘oli ‘ohana, from students and families to teachers and staff, as well as the greater education community.