Island Beginnings
Isaac spent most of his childhood growing up on this Pacific Island.
What is Saipan?
Isaac eventually earned this degree after years of research and writing.
What is an Ed.D? (NOT PhD)
Students quickly learn that Isaac believes this comes before almost anything instruction-related.
What are relationships?
When Isaac says, "I'll just play for a little bit," this life simulation game has a habit of turning one hour into an entire evening.
What is The Sims?
One of Isaac's earliest "caught red-handed" moments happened after his dad discovered he had been using the family computer to look up naughty photos of this actor.
Brad Pitt
Even after moving away, these cuisines still immediately reminds Isaac of home.
What is Chamorro/Filipino food?
Isaac's career in education officially began after graduating from this community college.
What is Northern Marianas College / NMC?
One of the easiest ways to tell students had independent or group work time was that this filled the classroom instead of complete silence.
What is music?
This legendary video game series has convinced Isaac that 100-hour adventures are not only reasonable but worth replaying (every year!)
What is Final Fantasy?
Before becoming a teacher and getting an advanced education degree, young Isaac actually imagined himself wearing one of these three hats someday.
What are a psychologist, a lawyer, or a police officer?
Before he was a teacher, this Disney movie convinced young Isaac that going from a Zero to Hero looked pretty fun.
What is Hercules?
Rather than staying in one classroom forever, Isaac eventually taught students ranging from elementary school all the way to this group.
What/Who are college students?
If a student said something completely out of pocket, there was a good chance Isaac would respond by telling them any one of the following phrases:
GURL, BOI, ExcUUSE me??, Oh hell no
Few game franchises have kept Isaac exploring forests, temples, and dungeons as many years as this Nintendo classic.
What is The Legend of Zelda?
Long before laptops and dissertations, Isaac rarely went anywhere without this beloved childhood companion, which he picked up in a school auction using tickets from reading challenges.
A stuffed buffalo
Long before graduate school, Isaac was already learning to balance two cultures growing up in one family.
What are Chamorro and Filipino?
Isaac has earned degrees in Education, Curriculum, and Leadership. But they all point toward this lifelong passion.
What is helping students learn/education/teaching?
Isaac's classroom had an unusual tradition where students and teachers regularly did this to each other and everyone laughed.
What is roasting each other?
This farming franchise inspired many greats, including Stardew Valley, Rune Factory, and Story of Seasons.
Long before becoming "Dr. T", Isaac's first working experience came from welcoming and seating guests at this world famous restaurant.
What is the Hard Rock Cafe?
Although he has lived in multiple places, Isaac still considers this far away land home.
What is Saipan?
Writing this project probably required the most caffeine Isaac has every consumed.
What is a dissertation?
Rather than simply saying "Happy Birthday," Isaac made it a tradition to celebrate students by giving them one of these.
Small treat/drink/candy/toy
This game was foundational to Isaac's understanding of friendship, the power of evolution, and becoming the best like no one ever was.
What is Pokémon?
This force of nature is both Isaac's best friend and enemy. Powering everything he enjoys (gaming consoles, TV, etc.) and also harming him right where it hurts!
What is electricity?