Rachelle K. K. Ricardo

Master of Education in Teaching, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Graduate Certificate, International Baccalaureate PYP (Primary Years Programme) Educational Framework, Bethel University

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, minor in Art History, University of California, Los Angeles

Rachelle Ricardo was born on O’ahu and began her teaching career in the fall of 2000, interestingly enough, at the public elementary school she attended as a kindergartener. She brings with her 25 years of classroom experience, having taught in a variety of schools, both public and private in Hawaii, California and even Paris, France.

Ms. Ricardo’s instructional approach focuses on flexibility, adaptability and having a sense of humor, traits which allow her to build rapport and tailor her instruction to meet the needs and abilities of the student. Through this she is able to empower learners by breaking down concepts and tasks to make assignments manageable and success achievable. She is a firm believer that this also builds grit, and encourages students to be problem solvers and instills in them the ability to be resourceful to help themselves and others.

Her focus in graduate school was dualistic with one part rooted in place-based, sustainability education where she used the ahupa’a (land division) of Ko’olaupoko on the windward side of O’ahu to give meaning to mandated, standards-based scripted curricula. The other part added critical thinking and reflection through implementation of Philosophy for Children. Namahana School’s core values of Aloha ‘Āina, Aloha Kanaka, and Aloha i Ke Ao and the school’s mission align with her own pedagogical beliefs and this match up was the catalyst for her to make the move, and she is very excited to be part of the Kumu Advisory team at Namahana School.