Second Year ePortfolio sample - Warren Takaka

 

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 Tenure Candidate:  Warren Takata

Full-time Faculty -  Automotive Technology

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Background of the Candidate:

Aloha, I am Warren Takata from Oahu, Hawai’i currently residing in Puyallup, Washington.  My wife, Monica and I have three beautiful children.  Ethan, Samuel, and Mia.  Prior to us having children, my wife and I have been short-term missionaries to the Philippines, Japan, and Argentina. I am licensed ASE Master Automotive Technician with more than 10 years of journeyman experience.  My educational background includes an AS degree in Automotive Technology, Graduate of the Toyota T-TEP training program, B.Ed in Trades and Industry Secondary Education, M.Ed Curriculum Instruction, and currently working on my doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Educational Administration Higher Education which was first started at the University of Hawai’i and transferring to Northwest Nazarene University. My research interests are focused on adult student learners in career and technical programs.  I have teaching experience in both secondary and post-secondary institutions.  Before coming to RTC, I worked for the University of Hawai’i Honolulu campus teaching automotive technology in its NATEF master level training program.  Currently I am in my second year of teaching at Renton Technical College in its NATEF automotive technology program.  It has been a great experience being a part of what RTC is doing in this community.  I enjoy spending my free time with my faith, family, friends, JDMs, and working on my doctoral studies.  I am still developing as an educator and hope to make a positive impact on creating life-long learners.

 

Tenure Candidate's Self-reflection:

I have an opportunity to be a part of some great stories of students success in the automotive program.  This could not have been possible without the support and teamwork of administration, faculty, and support staff.  Through everyone's hard work and dedication these students accomplishments were made possible.  Glad to be a part of a great team here at Renton Technical College.

Responsibilities

Discuss  your role as an advisor/mentor for students

  • I provide guidance for students seeking a career into the automotive technology field.  I share technical expertise as well as past experience of being in the automotive industry. I help to advise student who seek associate and bachelors degrees related to Career and Technical Education.  I seek to be a good example of an automotive technician, educator, husband, and father.  I hope that students will see me as someone they can learn from and make a positive impact in our community.  I am also currently supporting the Men of Merit as a mentor.

Describe your participation within the past year in division meetings, service on college and/or faculty committees, leading or organizing professional development activities, and membership in organizations where you have represented the college, serving on or leading advisory committees.

  • During division meetings I have an opportunity to give input toward curriculum, tools, and facility of the automotive program. I work along side fellow faculty to provide the best solutions for our program. 
  • I currently serve on four campus committees, College Council, RTC Foundation Faulty board member, Faculty Senate, and Technology Council.  I support these committees though my background in curriculum instruction and Ed. administration to help make suggestions for on going projects. 
  • I have attended all automotive advisory board meetings.  At these meetings I share with the advisory board members information about my current course and issue that student are facing.  During meetings I also have an opportunity to mingle with advisory board members and thank them for their guidance and support. 
  • I have participated in 4 hiring committees:
    • Megatronics Instructor
    • Social Science/Cultural Studies Instructor
    • Vice President for Administration and Finance
    • Director of Outreach and Entry Services
Challenges
  • Students that are enrolled into the automotive program come in at different cognitive levels. The automotive program has no prerequisite for entry.  I have been attentive at the start of each quarter to provide an authentic assessment of students.  Students are identified early in the course and curriculum is adjusted to meet their needs.  Some students who display needs have been encourage to notify Disablity Resource Services (DRS) and make an accomodation request. Adjustments range from providing more visual support, structured module outlines, and labs that start with attainable goals and progress to challenging ones.

List any circumstances that have had an adverse influence on the success of your teaching/counseling within the last five years.

  • As mentioned in year one tenure review, the construction and move of the automotive faculty provide some difficulties with lab activites.  Since being completed their have been no adverse influences.

Achievements

  • What do you consider to be your strengths as an instructor?
    • My strength as an instructor would be my application of educational methodology along with technical expertise.  My educational studies and technical experience provides me an opportunity to access student learning. I am able to provide understandable lessons along with the technical rigor. Also, courses I have taken for my doctoral degree in Higher Ed. Leadership help me to understand and support campus, program, and administrators with college inticitives.
  • What teaching/counseling innovations and/or methods were successful for you in the last five years?
    • Teaching innovations that have been successful for me have been team teaching (I-BEST),  UDL, rubrics, student developmental theories, qualitative and quantitative research methods, GRIT, the 3 R's of educational reform (Rigor, Relevance, and Relationship), and the 4 C's of 21st century learning (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity).

Describe any research activities, publications, achievements, awards, and memberships in organizations that pertain to teaching/counseling.

 Growth

  • In what areas have you shown growth since you started teaching, and why?
    • Since starting teaching at Renton Technical College I have grown is my use of student developmental theories as I assess and support student learning. I am intentionally trying to move students into a higher developmental level instead of just correct inappropriate behavior or cognitive delays. I continue to use student developmental theories to support our diverse student body and mulitple learning styles. I have also started to focus on the implementation of the 4 C's of 21st Century Learning.  I hope to be able to support a wider range of students in our program and college community.
  • How can the college support you to ensure future growth?
    • The college could help my growth as an educator by providing me opportunities for professional development and attendance at conferences.  Also continued mentoring from the Faculty of Color Mentorship Program would be greatly appreciated.
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