worlds and to imagine futures that may seem unimaginable. In my classroom, reading was a daily occurrence; time was provided at the beginning of each class for students to ground themselves in a book. I used this time to center the students—individually and collectively—within our learning community. I helped them develop habits: they learned to find genres that interested them; they could read anything they wanted; and they could start a book, read a few chapters, and switch if it didn’t resonate. My goal was to empower them in their reading journey. Today, I am committed to the education and advancement of Native Hawaiians. The literacy rates of four generations ago are not the literacy rates of today. Native Hawaiians are on the negative side of nearly every educational and economic statistic, and due to the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, there are now more Native Hawaiians living on the continental United States than in Hawai‘i itself. Representation is necessary. I am excited to be a part of Rising Voices: Amplifying AANHPI Narratives because it will bring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander stories, history, and culture to the forefront. It is a collection that will provide young AANHPI readers the opportunity to see themselves in these stories and imagine futures in which they can be anything and everything they want to be. I also see this as a chance to expand global competence for all learners, recognizing our interconnectedness and discovering ways to enhance the unique contributions everyone can bring to the world. These are stories that resonate with me, that pulse through my veins, and that form the construct of who I am as a Native Hawaiian woman. I am excited for these stories and curricular materials to be added to classrooms around the country, building empathy and understanding across cultures. ABOUT DR. ERIKA K. CRAVALHO-MEYERS As a long-time educator, Dr. Erika K. Cravalho-Meyers has dedicated the past 20 years to serving Native Hawaiians directly. She brings extensive experience as an educator, administrator, and instructional leader across diverse education systems. She advocates for innovation in learning and values ongoing reflection and refinement to foster a student-centered learning environment. Dr. Cravalho-Meyers strives to create a space that intentionally listens and adapts to the community's needs. As a leader, she leverages the expertise and knowledge of those she collaborates with, employing various processes to build both individual and collective capacities. Her experience includes guiding others through meaningful dialogue and activities focused on developing structures that support professional growth through research-based strategies and diverse assessment methods. Additionally, Dr. Cravalho-Meyers co-founded EAmai Co-Lab, a partnership dedicated to helping shift mindsets and behaviors related to systemic, institutionalized standards of professionalism toward greater equity and inclusion for those served.
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