Dr. Patricia Espiritu Halagao is Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum Studies in the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa. Her scholarly interests and publications include culturally responsive curriculum, decolonizing pedagogy and examining the educational experiences of Filipino Americans. She is co-founder of Pinoy Teach and recipient of 2006 & 2007 Smithsonian Institution grants to develop their Centennial online and multimedia Filipino American curriculum, iJeepney.com. Dr. Halagao has received several grants, including the federal grant to establish the Filipino American Education Institute, UH Mānoa Multilingual Multicultural Strategic Initiative, and Social Justice in Education Project in partnership with Teaching Tolerance. She co-founded the UHM College of Education Tinalak Filipino Advisory Council. She serves as a FANHS Trustee and is Co-Editor of the FANHS Journal. She received UH highest Medal for Excellence in Teaching and Filipina Women’s Network 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award. Dr. Halagao was appointed to the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education (2013-2016) and worked with the community to adopt two Board policies: Seal of Biliteracy and Multilingualism for an Equitable Education.
We must stand in unity to uplift and move forward the educational achievement of our Filipino American students.