Leaving 'Iolani...Leaving Paradise...Mahalo & Aloha!

Mahalo & Aloha!

In the second half of 2014, I started an amazing adventure. I was hired by 'Iolani School to be their first S.T.E.M teacher and set-up & run the Lower School FabLab. My time working for 'Iolani didn't start until August, but in June and July they sent me to two amazing events: "Design, Do, Discover" at Castilleja School in Palo Alto, CA (run by Angi Chau and Jaymes Dec), and "Constructing Modern Knowledge" in Manchester, NH (run by Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez). These two events, sent me on this path. When August came around, I hit the ground running, not totally sure what was coming next.

Four years later, I find myself looking back because our family has decided to leave Hawaii and return to the mainland to be closer to our family. It was a tough decision, but one that we knew is the right one.

Today I finish the last summer school session and my last official day at 'Iolani. As I look back on this blog I see all the amazing things our students have done, all the learning & sharing experiences I have participated in, and all the friends I have made in the Maker Ed community. It truly has been an amazing ride.

And now it's time to move on. Tomorrow I get on a plane and head to Dallas-Fort Worth. My family has gone ahead to prepare our home and I am excited about all that will happen in this next chapter. In a few weeks, I will also be starting my new job as the Lower School Science Specialist at St. Mark's School of Texas.

As I leave, I have to say thanks to all of you who have played a part in my development as a maker educator. First, every person who I have met along the way, whether in person or via online maker ed communities. Next, everyone at 'Iolani is some way has had an affect on my life. I especially want to thank the administration; Dr. Tim Cottrell, Dr. Karen Neitzel, Linda Look, Zachary Linnert. The iLab faculty; Doc, Martin, Gilson, Taylor, Jenna, Gabe, Anna, Scott, Mike, Erin, and Yvonne. The Lower School faculty & staff.

Over the next few weeks, I will make my last two posts to this blog. One will be to give you the address of the new blog for the 'Iolani Lower School Makerspace. The other will be to share with you the address of my new blog, that will be started for my new position as Lower School Science Specialist at St. Mark's School of Texas (in Dallas). And yes, I will still be active in the maker ed community. If you want to stay in contact, email me at DillonM@smtexas.org and I'll be in touch.

With that, I say mahalo and wish you all much aloha!
Matthew Dillon