Tūtū and Me Welcomes New Hāmākua Team February 23, 2013

Tūtū and Me is excited to welcome and introduce our staff for the new Hilo and Hāmākua team on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.

Lead teacher, Judy Riviera is following her passion of teaching young children again after working eight years with assisting adjudicated youth. Away from working at Tūtū and Me, she serves as a Sunday school administrator for her church and is currently completing her final course to obtain her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Judy has three grown children, one adopted child and 12 grandchildren and hopes to represent Tūtū and Me with “excellence and serve the families as a whole to help make Hawai‘i a better place to live.”

Angie Toma is one of two Teaching Assistants who loves to camp, hike and play games with her three keiki. At the age of three months, she became a foster child who was later adopted by her foster parents. After being adopted, her parents continued to foster 21 more children and as early as she can remember, she was determined that “every child, no matter their circumstances deserved to experience unconditional love.” Having her first babysitting job at age 11 and most recently as a teaching assistant with a similar program, she comes with experience with working and caring for keiki and families.

Our other Teaching Assistant Kim McClintock has studied Early Childhood Education at Hawai‘i Community College. He also worked with Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) Headstart for over 4 years. After learning and seeing first-hand what the vision of Partners in Development Foundation and Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool represents, he has said, “I knew I would not have to look for another career, I have found the right home.”

Paula Palma is the Assessment Specialist and has worked, taken care and has always had a big heart for children her entire life. She believes that she would always use her voice to speak for young people in foster homes and in groups who are not able to do so for themselves. Her word of advice is taken from Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Judy, Angie, Kim and Paula look forward to serving their community in Hilo and Hāmākua and representing Partners in Development Foundation as the newest teaching team for Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool.