Dr. Marsha Diane Akau Wellein
Mililani, HI 96789
SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
1. 2013-2022: Substitute Teacher, Dept. of Education, Hawaii, all grades & subjects.
2. 1985 - 2012: Guidance Counselor, Education Specialist, Supervisory Education Specialist, Education Services Officer, & Test Control Officer (CLEP, ACT, SAT, etc.) for the U.S. Army, Dept. of Defense: Oahu, Germany, North Africa (Sinai-Egypt), Panama, Honduras (Central America), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Middle East), Japan, and Korea (Asia). Director of Army Education & Library Services, U.S. Army South in Puerto Rico for South & Central America, U.S. Virgin Islands, and much of Florida. As the Army Reserve Regional Director of Education for Pacific & Asia, I planned/managed education programs & services (including Basic Skills Math & Reading) for Army Reserve soldiers in Anchorage & Fairbanks, Alaska, Oahu, Maui, Big Island of Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands –Saipan, Rota, Tinian, U.S. Territories of Guam & American Samoa, Japan, & Korea, a total of 30+ years with DOD. I have also briefly served at U.S. Military education facilities or visited over 38 other countries/states for up to a month at a time.
3. 1972-1984:Teacher, Dept. of Education, Guam & Hawaii, all levels K -12, including Special Education, the Medically Fragile, Gifted, Advanced Placement, and regular students.
HI DOE certified as a Reading Specialist & Highly Qualified Teacher 13 yrs; Waipahu Intermediate (Reading Title I) 1 yr.; Punahou Summer School (Elem. Reading); Hawaii State Job Corps Center Reading Specialist-2 yrs.; New Piti School for Deaf & Blind, Guam (Deaf, Hard of Hearing/Spec Ed Pre-K-1st ); teacher, remedial & gifted reading elementary & secondary schools 1st- 12th grades 5 yrs.; taught adult continuing education part time on Guam (English, Speech, Language Arts, Citizenship, ESL); taught undergraduate & graduate reading courses at University of Guam; taught adult continuing education courses with HI DOE (English, ESL, U.S. Citizenship, Speech); also served as a Federal Grants Writer and Curriculum Specialist in Guam and Reading Instructor, Leeward Community College.
4. Author, Education Essays from My Perspective: 50 Years as a Professional Educator Offering Pearls of Wisdom for Your Journey, Book 1, & Book 2, 2021. Author, Factors Associated with Army Reservists Using Educational Programs and Services at 9th Mission Support Command, 2010. Author, The Endless Summer – An Adventure Story of Guam (1976, New York), a hard-back juvenile novel used previously by the Guam DOE & U. of Guam. Presently I am updating this chapter book with an anticipated publication date of 2024, with additional illustrations and new material. Editor, Kalihi Kids Can Communicate (1976, Hawaii), a Language Arts resource book previously used by the HI DOE.
5. Doctorate of Education, 2010, Argosy University, HI campus, with a 4.0 GPA (64 SH); I have a total of 309 semester hours of college credit from Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa (BA), Univ. of Guam (Masters in Reading Ed.), West Oahu College, La Verne College, & Argosy University .
6. I was born & raised in Honolulu (father George H. Akau, Director of Food & Drugs, State of HI Board of Health & mother Trude M. Akau, HI DOE teacher in Kalihi). I have 3 grown children and 4 grandkids. I live in Mililani, love to read & spend time in my garden helping gardenias grow. I love education and life-long learning!
My Work
Teaching, professional development, testing, evaluating, planning, communication, and leadership – Marsha Diane Akau Wellein (nee Hawaii) discusses these issues using civilian and military educational practices and theories from her viewpoint. She uses her real-life adventures and her personal experiences – she has been there and done it! If you want only do this or do that advice, please do not read this book. It may be too much out-of-the-box thinking by taking you out of your comfort zone! Continue reading to learn more about Marsha.
Dr. Wellein has been a professional educator since 1969 – teaching many grades & ability levels, various subjects, special education, and regular K – 12 students, undergraduate, and graduate, serving as a test administrator, principal, curriculum specialist, grants writer, children’s book author - you name it, and she has done it.
When Marsha Wellein decided in the mid-1980s to accept an offer to work overseas in her capacity as a U.S. DOD Civilian in Army Education Services at Larson Barracks, itself located within a very small U.S. Army garrison in the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) in the West German town of Wurzburg, she had absolutely no realization at the time that this innocuous one-time assignment was to be the first step in what would eventually form a substantial block of time for two decades comprising multiple back-to-back permanent change of station (PCS) assignments across a broad swath of the world.
After the posting in Germany, Dr. Wellein accepted a tour to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt with the Multinational Peacekeeping Force under the U.S. State Dept. (headquartered in Rome, Italy), and three years later, returned to Hawaii. Then, it was off to Panama and Honduras for a couple of years during the crazy narco-guerrilla cocaine wars, back to Hawaii, then onward to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following the end of the Iraq war (and quasi-safe, inside the U.S. compounds). Japan (Camp Zama) was really a crowded land of Toyotas & sushi, and South Korea was next, an assignment on the doorstep between the South Korean Demilitarized Zone and North Korea (i.e., Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).
She next served as the Army Director of Education & Library Services for U.S. Southern Command in Puerto Rico, responsible for 24 military groups (education & testing), in South & Central America and part of Florida. In 2001, as the Army Reserve Regional Director of Education for Pacific & Asia, Dr. Wellein cared for Army Reservists throughout Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa & Asia. Education is in her blood, so she earned a doctorate in 2010.
When she retired from DOD in late 2012, she returned to her first love, teaching. But read this book and see for yourself. You will love reading about solutions to problems, challenging yourself, and exploring ideas and new methods, and practices as you continue your academic education journey. Why do almost 1,000 teachers leave their jobs yearly in many major cities? What can education recruiters do to hire more credentialed educators? Will civilian and military educational agencies join forces for some professional development activities in 2021?
She offers compelling ideas, Pearls of Wisdom to teachers, administrators, and anyone interested in improving education in America
Dr. Marsha Diane Akau Wellein
Title: Educator & Author
Company: MD Wellein, Inc www.marshawelleinbooks.com
Occupations: 2013-2022 substitute teacher for Hawaii Dept of Education.
Instructor: 1969-2012 HI Job Corps Center, Dept. of Labor; Guam Teacher, Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Instructor, Title I Reading Specialist; Federal grants writer for Title IV, Teacher Corps, Teacher Center, and director of awarded projects; Summer school principal, Undergraduate and graduate instructor at the university of Guam and Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii; Army military test administrator & educator, counselor in many locations, worldwide; Director of Education & Library Services for U.S. Army Southern Command (Central & South America, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, much of Florida); Army Reserve Regional Director of Education, Pacific & Asia (Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Japan, Korea).
Present Title: Independent Author
Location: Mililani, State of Hawaii
Company Name for Publishing: MD Wellein, Inc.
URL: www.marshawelleinbooks.com
Home Address: Mililani, HI 96789
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Born: Honolulu, HI.
Education: Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD), Argosy University, 2010; Masters of Education (Reading), University of Guam, 1974; work towards 2nd Masters in Education, U of Guam (Administration & Supervision), 1975-1979; West Oahu College, University of Hawaii; HI; La Verne College, CA; Teaching certificate course work, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1970-1971; BA, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1966; 309 SH total
Career Summary: Substitute Teacher, Dept. of Education, Hawaii, 2013-2022; (Retired) U.S. Army Reserve Regional Director of Education for Pacific and Asia, (Japan, Korea, American Samoa, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, Alaska) Honolulu, HI 2001-2012; Education Services Specialist, U.S. Army, Pacific, Fort Shafter, 2000-2001; Director Education and Library Services, U.S. Army Southern Command, (Florida, Honduras, & 24 nations located throughout South & Central America, U.S. Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico) 1999-2000; Supervisory Education Services Specialist & Director, 8th Army, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze in Bongilchon, Western Corridor, Republic of South Korea, 1998-1999; Deputy Director, Camp Zama Education Center, U.S. Army Japan, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, 1996-1998; Education Services Specialist, Schofield Barracks Education Center 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, 1994-1996; Education Services Specialist, Department Army, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (Kuwait War/Desert Storm), U.S. Army Central Command, (temporary duty)1993; Education Services Officer, Fort Kobbe, Panama, 1991-1993 and also with U.S. Army Southern Command, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, same time (flying back & forth monthly); Guidance Counselor, Department of Army, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, 1990; Education Officer, Multinational Force and Observers, North Camp, El Gorah, Sinai, Egypt, U.S. State Department, 1987-1990; Guidance Counselor, Larson Barracks, Wurzburg, Germany, 1985-1986; Counselor, U.S. Army, Fort Shafter Education Center, HI, 1983-1985.
Instructor Reading (Full and Part Time Instructor), Leeward Community College, University Hawaii, 1983-1985; Teacher, Punahou Summer School 1981; Alu Like Researcher, (temporary) 1981; Reading Specialist, Waipahu Intermediate Teacher Title I, 1981-1982; Guam Teacher, Special Education, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Reading, Language Arts, Pre-Kindergarten to High School, Guam Department of Education, 1972-1980; Teacher, Grants Writer, Title IV, Administrator; Instructor Reading, Language Arts, Adult Education, Dept of Education, University of Guam, (part-time) undergraduate/graduate 1972-1980; Instructor, Hawaii Job Corps Center, Koko Head, Dept. of Labor, HI., 1969-1971.
Contracts Writer, U.S. Army Fort Shafter for 9th Mission Support Command, Honolulu, HI, as part of the duties as Army Reserve Regional Director of Education, Pacific & Asia, for Non-Personal Services Contracts (2004-2008) at the Education Services Office; also served as Installation Technical Representative, Quality Control, and Contract Officer Representative.
Kalihi Kids Can Communicate, Editor, a Language Arts Resource Book for educators, published in 1976 in Honolulu, Hawaii, with Trude M. Akau as author.
The Endless Summer – An Adventure Story of Guam, Author, published in 1976, New York, a hardback children’s chapter book, partly bilingual.
Professional Membership: Council College and Military Educators (CCME), American Association of Adult and Continuing Education; Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) ; International , society of female professional, https://www.theisfp.com/members-2/welleinmdhotmail-com/profile/
Awards Received: Outstanding Education Services Officer, Director of Education, U.S. Army Reserve, 2003; Lamp Lighters award, U.S. Army Reserve, 2005; Unsung Heroes award, Director Army Education, Hdqrs., Washington, DC, 2005; Equal Opportunity award, Camp Zama, Japan, 1998, Sustained Superior Performance award for Europe, Southern Europe, and U.S. Southern Command, 1997-2012; Commander's award for civilian service, 1986-1988 & 1998. Exceptional Annual Evaluation in Germany, Egypt, Hawaii, Panama, Honduras, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, & Hawaii, 1986-2012. Achievement medal civilian service, Japan, 1997 & Kuwait, 1993; Multinational Force and Observers medal, U.S. State Dept, 1987-1989.
Hobbies and Special Interests: Writing, Reading Traveling, Writing,
Career Highlights: Helping others obtain their college degrees (30 years), and obtaining my doctorate of education in 2010.
Certifications: Hawaii Dept. of Education Certified Reading Specialist K-12 & Highly Qualified Teacher, 2013-present; Substitute Teacher Certified, Dept. of Education, HI; Test Control Officer for Dept. of Defense Activities for Non-Traditional Education Support & Army Personnel Testing, 1985-2012 (SAT, ACT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, CLEP); Guam Dept. of Education Certified as Highly Qualified Teacher, 1972-1984 in Special Ed, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Reading, Speech, Drama, Theater, Journalism, Elem & Secondary; Alaska Dept of Education, Reading Specialist K – 12th grades 1974-1984; Hawaii Dept of Education Reading Specialist K-12, 1980 - 1984 and Adult Education Certified Instructor, Guam & Hawaii.
Career Related: Army Management Staff College, VA, 4 months, 1995; Speaker, Education Summit, Australia, 2011; Learning Technology Innovations, 2012. Initiated Basic Skills courses, Education Fairs, Oahu, Saipan, American Samoa, 2002 – 2012. Initiated hosting 18 college counselors on base from 8-10 colleges weekly, 2008-2012.
Civic: Trustee & Board member of Lai Hip Estate & Trust in Hawaii, 2004-present; Testified, local Hawaii Legislature, 2020; Inducted into Phi Delta Kappa (Honor Society) 1993. Appointed by Honolulu mayor to Oahu Committee Children and Youth Board, Honolulu, 1969; President, International Reading Association, Guam Chapter & Board member, 1972-1980.
Military Achievements: U.S. Army Contract Quality Control Officer, 2009-2012; Cold War Certificate (Kuwait & Saudi Arabia) U.S. Department of Defense, 1998 (for working in war zones in 1993-1994).
My Travels – For Work, Professional Development, Training, Recreation, or Adventure
Temporary Duty Tours of 2 – 3 weeks for the U.S. Military – or just visiting:
- American Samoa
- Antiqua
- Aruba
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barcelona
- Belize
- Canada
- Caribbean Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Chuuk
- Costa Rica
- Colombia, South America
- Cyprus
- Dominican Republic
- Fanning Island (Tabuaeran Atoll part of the Republic of Kiribati – Christmas Island)
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hawaii (the Big Island)
- Hong Kong
- Isle of Capri, Italy
- Israel
- Jeju Island, South Korea
- Johnston Atoll
- Kauai
- Kenya
- Kosrae
- Kwajalein Atoll
- Laos
- Macau
- Majuro
- Marshall Islands Atoll (Republic)
- Maui
- Mexico
- Midway Atoll
- Molokai
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Northern Mariana Islands (Rota, Saipan, Tinian)
- Okinawa
- Palau (Republic, also known as Belau)
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Pohnpei
- Portugal
- Rome
- Roatan Islands (Caribbean Sea)
- Rota
- Saint Maarten
- Spain
- St. Martinique
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Venice
- Western Samoa
- Yap (part of the Federated States of Micronesia)
Visited various states of the United States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, and Washington state.
4 – 16 week work assignments many for the U.S. Military, as well as a few just as a visitor.
(When working, the military sent me back to various locations several times):
- American Samoa
- Big Island of Hawaii (Hawaii County)
- Guam
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kuwait (after Desert Shield/Desert Storm)
- Saipan (Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands)
- Saudi Arabia
- Virginia
1 – 2 year assignments
- Germany (West, final phase of the Cold War)
- Honduras (after Operation Just Cause)
- Japan
- Panama (after Operation Just Cause)
- Puerto Rico (to include U.S. Virgin Islands, and South & Central America)
- South Korea
- Waipahu Intermediate School, State of HI public school system
3 – 5 year assignments
-
Egypt (Multinational Force & Observers MFO) - under the auspices of the U.S. State Department
- Fort Shafter, HI (Dept. of Defense)
-
Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii
- Schofield Barracks, HI (Dept. of Defense)
6 – 9+ year assignments
- Fort Shafter Flats HI (U.S. Army Reserve Education System)
- Guam (a U.S. Territory): Carbullido Elementary School, New Piti School for Deaf and Blind School, Harmon Loop Elementary School, Dededo Junior High School, University of Guam campus in Mangilao, and the Guam Teacher Center
- Hawaii (DoD, Army, my home of record)