Mr. Oka is a new technology coordinator and although he has taught before, this new environment can be an adjustment for him. The only part that is difficult for him is learning everyone’s names.

Mr. Oka said, “You have to get used to learning everybody’s names, the teachers’ names and learning where everything is on campus.”

He first taught at Kainalu Elementary for 13 years. He first taught as a fifth grade teacher for a year then he taught as a technology coordinator. He then went to Pearlridge Elementary to teach for 10 years.

Outside of work, he likes to paint, glass etch, and is a soccer coach. He is a soccer coach of 17 years, and he travels to watch his daughter play soccer as she plays for the University of Utah.

“I used to tinker with cars, playing around, changing parts, and modifying them,” Mr. Oka said.

He has a good imagination of what he wants for his future. In about 5-10 years, he sees himself retired and still doing art. As a kid, he wanted to be an architect and a graphic designer.

“Graphic design I didn’t really get into because you can’t do art that’s yours, it’s more about the client I didn’t like that,” Mr. Oka said.

He also said, “I really liked architecture, I did a lot of drafting classes in high school but I didn’t want to stay in school for that long.”

Mr. Oka knew he wanted to be a teacher because of a summer program he did during college involving youth.

“While I was in college I did summer fun, it’s like a summer program, and so I worked with kids and fell in love working with kids and felt it was more my life calling, with youth,” Mr. Oka said.