Nanette is the epitome of the "super mom," and is truly an inspiration to all of us. As a working mother of five young children, who is also pursuing an Associate of Arts degree at Leeward Community College, Nanette has a disciplined routine to keep her keiki on track with after-school activities, homework, dinner, baths, and bed time. And in her personal essay for the scholarship, she told us that she does not take any phone calls between 6-8 p.m. because those two hours are reserved for "family time." With no time to waste, she spends every free moment doing family chores, like folding laundry in the car while watching her children's soccer games, or schoolwork.Inspired to be an Educator
Nanette is the epitome of the "super mom," and is truly an inspiration to all of us. As a working mother of five young children, who is also pursuing an Associate of Arts degree at Leeward Community College, Nanette has a disciplined routine to keep her keiki on track with after-school activities, homework, dinner, baths, and bed time. And in her personal essay for the scholarship, she told us that she does not take any phone calls between 6-8 p.m. because those two hours are reserved for "family time." With no time to waste, she spends every free moment doing family chores, like folding laundry in the car while watching her children's soccer games, or schoolwork.Originally from Nanakuli, Nanette began her journey in higher education seven years ago. However, she decided to stay close to her children so she could "nurture, teach, care for and share all the joyous moments in learning," with them. And that's how she got involved in Keiki Steps, a parent-child interactive learning program for Native Hawaiian children (from birth through 5 years) and their families, sponsored by the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE). Her perfect attendance record and commitment to her children’s learning impressed the Keiki Steps staff so much that they offered her a job with the program and the opportunity to pursue the Child Development Associates (CDA). Fueled by her work there, her passion for teaching has grown.
In the Spring of 2006, she enrolled at Leeward Community College to pursue an Associate of Arts degree in Teaching, which she is scheduled to complete in Spring 2008. Nanette's long-term goal is to obtain a Master's degree in Education while continuing to work with the Keiki Steps program in Leeward O'ahu.
Dr. Teresa Makuakane-Drechsel, co-founder of the Inspirational Educator Endowment, had this to say, "We established this award for people like Nanette in mind-someone who is committed to improving the educational well-being of the Hawaiian community, who demonstrates this commitment through his/her work with Native Hawaiians, and who inspires others to do the same." Nanette feels that by furthering her education, she will be able to motivate, encourage and serve as a role model for other parents and their keiki. As a parent, she feels that "all Hawaiian children, if given the support and opportunity, can be just as successful."
