Chaminade University of Honolulu

Education

What Do Psychotherapy and Yoga Have in Common?

Combining modern psychotherapy techniques with ancient yoga practices isn’t a stretch for Chaminade graduate Christina Soo Hoo ’18. In fact, it’s as natural as breathing.

Christina Soo Hoo, MSCP '18

Soo Hoo was earning her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology while serving as an instructor with CorePower Yoga, which operates three studios on Oahu. She says lessons learned at Chaminade make her a better yoga teacher, and wisdom gleaned from yoga will make her a better therapist.

“I find similarities between yoga and counseling all the time,” Soo Hoo says. “The skills that I learn from both will be great for people who need help.”

It’s all about becoming more mindful, she explains. And skills for achieving this self-awareness can be developed in various ways, including psychotherapy sessions, yoga classes and meditation.

“Those are skills, depending on the type of client you have, that you try to inspire within them,” Soo Hoo says. “Because if they have that awareness, that ability, they typically will have more ingredients to find a path toward healing.”

Obviously, there are many differences between psychotherapy principles and yoga philosophy. But Soo Hoo also encounters a remarkable number of similarities – both on campus and on her mat.

For instance, psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud believed the human psyche consists of the id, ego and superego. Yogic philosophers also divide the psyche into three parts: the conscious mind, unconscious mind and intuitive mind.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs progresses from physiological necessities to self-actualization. Yogis believe in a similar path, beginning with body awareness and culminating in a blissful state of spiritual enlightenment.

Moreover, certain therapists treat victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder using techniques that calm the body and mind. That’s a lot like yoga nidra, or yogic sleep, which produces a deep state of physical relaxation without a loss of consciousness.

Soo Hoo’s group therapy classmates know all about yoga nidra. With Chaminade’s encouragement, Soo Hoo guided them through this meditative exercise with the goal of increasing mindfulness. Most students remained awake during the session but a few dozed off.

“The ones who fell asleep had dreams and visions,” Soo Hoo says. “One of them actually drew me a picture of what he saw. Then one or two of them talked about seeing lights. It was really interesting.”

Soo Hoo, an Arizona native, seems well suited for blending East and West, ancient and modern. Her father is a physician specializing in occupational medicine. And her mother is a traditional healer focusing on spiritual growth.

After graduating from Chaminade and becoming a licensed psychologist, Soo Hoo wants to take her holistic therapy approach to the next level. She hopes to open a wellness center that unites a wide range of health practitioners, including Western medical doctors, Native Hawaiian healers, Ayurvedic professionals, acupuncturists and, of course, yoga therapists.

After all, Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures. And a treatment that helps one client may be inappropriate or off-putting for someone else.

“The ultimate goal is to empower the person and provide them with a safe environment where they can grow,” Soo Hoo says.

“You are your best teacher,” she adds. “Other teachers push you in the right direction, but they know this is your journey.”

The Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) program is part of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The program includes three concentrations: School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling. MSCP prepares graduates for careers in community and school settings. Graduates assist children, youth and adults in adapting to various educational, family, organizational and societal demands. The program includes the foundational use of standards established by the National Board for Certified Counselors and Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Sen. Schatz Discusses Issues from North Korea to Obamacare at Town Hall hosted by Chaminade

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) fielded questions on a variety of topics – from the North Korean nuclear threat to the future of Obamacare – during a well-attended town hall session hosted April 17 by Chaminade University and Saint Louis School.

Organizing the meeting was the Social Justice League, a newly formed campus group comprised of Chaminade students, faculty and staff.

In introducing the senator, Chaminade President Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, described Schatz as “a friend of education” who supports funding for student aid, student loans and Title III federal grants the university receives as a Native Hawaiian-serving institution.

Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, emphasized the need for vigilance in seeking federal dollars for Hawaii. His committee assignment areas include: Education, Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs.

“We are 5,000 miles away from Washington,” Schatz pointed out, “and we need a Congressional delegation to have that focus no matter what else is happening.”

Even though Schatz believes Americans have some “incredible challenges in front of us,” he remains cautiously optimistic that millions of citizens will continue receiving health insurance through the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act.

Audience member asking U.S. Senator Brian Schatz a question

And although the Environmental Protection Agency might have “a lighter enforcement touch” under the Trump Administration, Schatz believes many “green” initiatives will continue, including clean air, clean water and renewable energy programs garnering bipartisan support.

As for the likelihood of North Korea firing a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile at Hawaii, Schatz said “the risk is real” but that Mainland states are more likely targets for a strike.

“Let us worry about it,” Schatz said in calling for the U.S. government to shore up its missile defense systems and pursue additional intelligence gathering on the Korean Peninsula.

Schatz’s appearance was in keeping with Chaminade’s tradition of inviting a wide range of prominent guest speakers to discuss important issues of the day.

Milken Foundation Honors Chaminade Grad Nakoa as ‘Teacher of Promise’

The Milken Family Foundation recently presented one of its prestigious awards – often called “the Oscars of teaching” – to Chaminade University graduate Peter Kai Mana Nakoa, an instructor at Nānākuli Elementary School.

Affectionately known by his students as “Kumu Kai Mana,” Nakoa was named “Teacher of Promise” for the Nānākuli/Waiʻanae Complex and Leeward District. He is also the first Hawaiian Language Immersion Education teacher to win this award.

Since graduating from Chaminade in May 2015 with a master of arts degree in teaching, Nakoa has assumed additional leadership roles at his school. This includes joining a cohort that’s integrating technology in the classroom to support a Digital Common Core Curriculum.

Nakoa credits Chaminade with providing a solid understanding of the latest teaching methods – including the use of digital technology – that help his students excel in innovative ways.

“I was able to apply what I learned in my classes and use it with my current students at the time and get real results and data that I could then use to drive my instruction,” Nakoa says.

And after learning to use online platforms for completing and submitting his Chaminade assignments, Nakoa applied that tech knowledge at Nānākuli Elementary.

“It has given me the confidence to integrate different forms of technology in my classroom as part of my curriculum and approach in teaching my students,” Nakoa says, “and how to support my students’ families when they go home.”

Another benefit of his Chaminade education, Nakoa says, is learning how to adapt his teaching methods for multiple grade levels.

“Because I teach combination and multiple grades at one time, learning how to differentiate my instruction really does help me to address all benchmarks and standards for all my students, regardless of their grades,” Nakoa says.

And that has become key, he says, “to ensuring that all my students succeed and holomua (progress).”

The Milken Educator Awards, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, honor top teachers across the country who inspire excellence in the world of education. Candidates are chosen through a confidential selection process, reviewed by panels appointed by the state departments of education, and given final approval by the Milken Family Foundation.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is part of the Division of Education. The program is designed for students who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and are seeking licensure to teach. The Master of Arts in Teaching includes these state-approved teacher licensure programs: Elementary Education with Licensure, Secondary Education with Licensure (with emphasis in Math, Science, English or Social Studies), Special Education and Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Chaminade University’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs are accredited by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board. The Montessori Program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and affiliated with the American Montessori Society.

Alumna Kelly Asato Helps Keiki Get a Solid Start

Serving as an elementary school counselor offers numerous psychological rewards for Chaminade University alumna Kelly Asato. One of the greatest, she says, is building relationships with students and their families during that early and critical phase of an educational journey.

Kelly Asato (MSCP '09)

“There is a tremendous amount of responsibility to make sure that the student has a positive experience in school that will lay the foundation for the rest of their time in middle and high school,” Asato says.

“Through these developmental years, students learn how to communicate, problem solve, work together with their peers and build study skills necessary to be competent learners,” Asato points out. “Knowing that I played some role in that developmental process is very rewarding and gratifying.”

At Ma’ema’e Elementary School in Honolulu, where Asato has worked since 2010, she counsels the same students as they progress from kindergarten through fifth grade. So naturally she becomes attached to the keiki and their parents.

“For me, the simple ‘thank you’ and ‘we appreciate what you have done to help our child’ is enough to help me get through the rough days and keep going day in and day out,” Asato says.

After Asato obtained her undergraduate degree on the Mainland, she returned home to Hawaii for graduate school and to pursue a counseling career. In 2009 she earned a master’s of science degree in counseling psychology with a school counseling emphasis.

“Knowing that Chaminade had a master’s program that specialized in not only counseling psychology but also allowed students to choose their emphasis was ideal for me,” Asato says. “And that was the primary reason why I chose Chaminade over other institutions.”

The most beneficial aspect of her university experience, Asato says, was being embedded at local schools during the practicum and internship parts of the program. That gave her the knowledge and skills required for transitioning into the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE).

“I appreciated that many of the teachers who taught the classes for the program actually had experience working in the DOE, currently as school counselors or in other capacities,” Asato says. “That wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience was definitely beneficial to my growth as a student.”

The Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) program is part of the Division of Behavioral Sciences. The program includes three concentrations: School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling. MSCP prepares graduates for careers in community and school settings. Graduates assist children, youth and adults in adapting to various educational, family, organizational and societal demands. The program includes the foundational use of standards established by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Chaminade Pre-service Teachers Present at a Science Conference for Professional Educators

Pre-service teachers from Chaminade University were invited to present at the 2017 Hawai‘i Science Teachers Association Conference.  Held at Punahou School on March 4, the conference was an opportunity for science educators across the state to connect and promote science education in the schools.  In-service teachers and professionals working in science fields presented on a range of topics such as planetary curricula, science fellowships and grants, water management, oceanography and globalized education.

The Chaminade seniors held their own with in-service teachers as they presented on two different learning experiences that are currently part of the Chaminade Elementary Education program. All will graduate in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Education students presenting at HaSTA conferenceStudents Leimana Kane, Sarah Vinluan, Shirley Xiao and Nicole Molina with their professor, Katrina Roseler, Ph.D. presented on “NASA for Educators.” They recounted their NASA summer experience from the Minority University Research and Education Project, a weeklong, fully-funded institute at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View California. They also provided grade appropriate standards, aligned classroom activities aligned with NASA resources, and answered teachers’ questions.

“To prepare for the conference, I had to recall what we did and how it might be helpful to use NASA data for their lesson,” said Xiao. “Even though I don’t have a lot of teaching experiences, I was still able to teach something new to teachers who have more experience than me.”

Currently a pre-service teacher at Hokulani Elementary School, Kane noted that presenting was a great experience for her as a future teacher, especially when sharing with parents and other faculty members. “It was a great opportunity to see my classmates and teacher present and learn from them,” she remarked.  “It was a great chance to network with other teachers and hear their thoughts about what we talked about.”

Vinluan realized from the experience that “teaching professionals are always learning and gaining new knowledge to improve their teaching.” She added, “Teaching professionals are constantly teaching one another and sharing ideas. I will strive to do the same in the future and become a lifelong learner.”

Education students presenting at HaSTA conferenceKane and Dr. Roseler also presented on “Science and Engineering through a Problem-Based Learning.”  They discussed the varied implementations of investigations related to the Ala Wai watershed including how students explicitly engaged in science and engineering practices.  They also discussed the learning opportunities created in classrooms that addressed the water pollution concerns surrounding the Ala Wai watershed.

“Our Chaminade pre-service teachers are already beginning to participate in professional development experiences alongside in-service teachers,” Dr. Roseler noted with pride. “Research indicates that elementary teachers have limited confidence with respect to scientific knowledge/practices and science teaching skills. However, this group of pre-service educators is challenging that model by sharing their ideas and developing their confidence in the area of science knowledge and teaching through participation in this statewide conference.”

Dr. Roseler emphasized how these pre-service teachers were asserting their identities into “their chosen community of practice – teaching” and concluded,  “As one of their mentors in science education, it is my responsibility to encourage these pre-service teachers to spread their wings, share their experiences and support their recognition in the field of education.”

Dedicated Catholic School Educator and Chaminade Alumni Honored as Outstanding Graduate

Laverne Suster ’82, ’16, who was recently selected by the Master of Education program at Chaminade University as its Outstanding Graduate, has been a dedicated Catholic School educator and a dedicated Chaminade alumni for 35 years.

Suster entered Chaminade University fresh out of high school and in 1982 received her bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus in English. A few months before graduating from Chaminade, she applied to teach at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and was accepted. Three decades of teaching passed, and in 2014 Suster decided to return to college for her post-graduate degree.

Laverne Suster and her studentsInvited to be a part of Chaminade University’s Catholic Educational Leadership Cohort, she decided to go for it. “I went back for my master’s degree only because it was Chaminade. I have always been a dedicated alumni because of the fabulous education I received there,” said Suster.

Her cohort included elementary and high school teachers and school administrators from Catholic schools across the diocese.  Cohort members all had to manage jobs and families and scrounge for time and energy to complete their studies. “As a member of the cohort, I can attest that that is the way to go through a master’s program. To be constantly surrounded by people who can relate to every moment you are experiencing is comforting, encouraging and very special,” Suster advised.  “I would definitely be a part of a cohort again. I am so appreciative.”

When Suster received the Outstanding Graduate award, it was the culmination of decades spent as a Catholic schools educator combined with the nurturing provided by Catholic educators who taught her from childhood through her undergraduate and graduate studies at Chaminade.  Suster entered Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in 1967 when it first opened. The school, which is part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish in Ewa Beach, serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help as a student, Suster experienced firsthand dedicated teachers who went out of their way to make sure she succeeded. It was there she first wanted to be a teacher. “I knew at around fourth grade,” she recalled.  Though her desire faded during her early teen years, by 12th grade she was on fire again and determined to be a teacher. She set her sights on Chaminade University.

Suster loves teaching.  It is more a vocation or calling for her. Her joy is evident as she tells you about her sixth, seventh and eighth graders: “I love their senses of humor. A lot of people cringe at the thought of spending 35-40 hours a week with kids this age, but if they take the time to know these kids, they are really creative, energetic and warm-hearted people who just want to find their place in our world. They are really great.”

Suster kept her students apprised of her master’s experience at Chaminade from the very beginning. “They were my sixth graders at the time I started the program. Now they are my 8th graders. I have shared many new things with them including different ways I learned to study or prepare for tests, how nervous I was that I had papers due, and they always encouraged me,” she shared. “When I sent out invitations to my graduation, I didn’t send them to my family members. I sent them to my students and their families because I wanted them to experience a college graduation…a little added inspiration for them. When they actually showed up, I was floored…and so happy,” she recalled.

At the 2016 fall commencement on December 12, her students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help joined her family and friends to cheer her on and cover her with lei.  Suster was grateful, and her students were inspired.

“Teach only if you are in love with teaching, and if you should ever fall out of love with teaching, stop! Anything less is a disservice to our children. This should not be one of those occupations that you do just because you can’t find work elsewhere,” Suster emphasized.

Then she added calmly: “Also, just remember to breathe. All teachers would understand that.”