After graduating from PUC in 2024, Amanda Barnes moved to Hawaii to teach middle school English and history teacher at Hawaiian Mission Academy Ka Lama Iki. At a young age, she knew she wanted to be an educator after being inspired by her English teacher, Megan Brooks, and principal and history teacher, Heather Denton, from PUC Prep. From their influence, Amanda graduated with a BA in English and a minor in History and earned a California State Credential and an SDA Credential. 

How did you decide on which grades and subjects to teach? 

I did not choose what grades to teach, they chose me. When I started college, I did not want anything to do with middle school. In fact, if you had asked me, I would have said I wanted nothing to do with them. I wanted to teach high school. 

When I was in my first student teaching placement at Robert Lewis Stevenson Middle School, that all changed. I was working with 6th graders, and they absolutely stole my heart. My tune changed after that, and I realized that maybe middle school was the place for me. 

How would you describe your first year of teaching? 

I would describe my first year of teaching as a roller coaster ride. It is fun, fast-paced, and sometimes, when you think you’re going straight, I’m incredibly grateful for my mentor teachers, Erin Kurtz and Will Namnath, who have been supportive and more than willing to offer advice and share resources and lesson plans. Our faculty at HMA Ka Lama Iki has made teaching here a positive and rewarding experience.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job? 

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students learn and grow. A lot of people talk about the lightbulb moment, but watching my kids grow and improve on the micro level is just as rewarding, if not more. 

How did PUC impact your future and current profession? 

PUC impacted my future in so many different ways. Being able to take a variety of classes and through the Honors program, I gained a wide knowledge base that helps me everyday in the classroom. The professors at PUC inspire me daily to pursue knowledge, live life to the fullest, work hard, and give back to a community that holds Adventist learning to the highest standard. 

Were there any professors or advisors who impacted your education and career? 

Many professors and advisors impacted my education and career. I went to PUC Prep for high school, and Megan Brooks and Heather Denton were the teachers who inspired me to become a teacher. 

At PUC, my freshman-year advisor, Sara Kakazu, introduced me to the wonderful world of English. Allison Fox, the former director of the Honors Program, made a huge impact on my education. HNRS-111 Narrating the Quest is still my favorite class at PUC. 

I am incredibly grateful for Jennifer Peñaflorida, Linda Gill, Catherine Tetz, and Nicole Nunes-Smith, who all, in numerous ways, supported my educational journey and impacted who I am as a person and educator. 

What made you decide to attend PUC? 

I have lived in the area my whole life. I believe it is the three generations of my family before me who have graduated from PUC. I wanted to be the fourth generation to graduate. 

What did you enjoy the most during your time at PUC?

The thing that I enjoyed most during my time at PUC was upper-division English classes taught by Linda Gill, specifically Romantic Era Britain. I also enjoyed my time singing with PUC’s Chorale and Vox Pro Musica.

Is there something you learned at PUC that you still carry today? 

I learned many things during my time at PUC, but working hard for what you want and being flexible when things do not go to plan is what I still carry with me today. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? 

In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, finding new places to eat, going on hikes, and reading books. 

Can you share any advice for education majors at PUC? 

My advice to current and future education majors is to soak up everything and stay in contact with your mentor teachers! I learned so much from my time in the classroom with PUC’s professors, but I learned just as much, if not more, from spending time in the classroom with the students. Our teachers are fantastic and truly masters of their crafts. I would not be thriving as much as I am as a teacher without all that I learned from them.