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Maui Campus

Carmen Matsuura


Title:Kumu Grade 2
Department: Māhele Lalo
Location:Maui Campus
Website:
Phone:(808) 572-3109
Email:camatsuu@ksbe.edu

About me

I was one of those children that enjoyed playing school, but it was not until I was almost done with my business degree and spent that time shuttling friends to their student teaching assignments that I realized that I wanted to be a teacher. My then boyfriend and I already had wedding plans, so I put that dream on hold, graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with my Bachelors of Business Administration degree, took on a business career and later started our family.Then faith showed me the way when my daughter was in kindergarten. She had an inspirational teacher that invited us into her classroom and more importantly a student teacher that told me about the teaching certificate program offered by the University of Hawaiʻi. By the time my daughter was in third grade, I began my teaching career at Kamali'i Elementary. I have been an elementary teacher for eighteen years now, with the last eight years spent happily here at Kamehameha Maui teaching fifth grade. At the end of last year, I decided to head back to the primary grades and teach second grade.Spending time with my family is very important to me. My husband loves to be in or near the ocean so you will often find us at the beach. My daughter (KSM ’08 grad IMUA!) just graduated two years ago with her Masters in Education. She currently works with a non-profit organization that supports teachers. We enjoy going to the movies, fishing, camping, traveling and just relaxing with each other. Our dog, “Cuddles” prefers camping and any activities at home so that she can join us.I also like to hike, shop, chat, travel and craft with friends. I am a lifelong learner; always taking some kind of class to make me a better person. I find that putting myself in the role of a student helps me to understand my students better and therefore hopefully become a stronger teacher.