August 2017 Geomentor Spotlight: Tonya Kauhi
August 2017 GeoMentor Spotlight:
Tonya Kauhi: Geospatial Data Services Group Leader with GeoEngineers Inc.
What was your favorite class in K-12? My favorite class was my 8th-grade Earth Science class. Every day we learned something new, different and challenging. The class combined hands-on learning with real world issues. I loved that we can use science to raise awareness and solve problems.
How did you first learn about and/or use GIS? I took the very first GIS class offered at University of Washington, Tacoma. A GIS Analyst from GeoEngineers came to share some of their projects with the class. I was so impressed by what you could by pairing GIS and science, I was hooked.
Name one thing you love about GIS and/or geography (I know, just one!): I love that you can look at data in a new way. You start to see patterns and relationships. GIS helps you to discover the insights within the information.
Why did you want to volunteer as a GeoMentor? I have three amazing nephews who are 5, 8 and 10 years old. They are always asking such great questions and have a passion for learning new things. I feel we should encourage and provide opportunities to learn about new things such as GIS. Being a GeoMentor to them and their classmates provide opportunities to integrate GIS concepts into topics they are leaning at school.
What kind of GeoMentor volunteer opportunity and experience are you looking for? I am most interested in helping teachers (K-5) bring GIS into the classroom. Whether that is by helping them learn the system or teaching classes, GIS is something which young children should be learning and integrating into their other subjects.
If someone asked you why they should learn about GIS and/or geography, how would you respond in one sentence? Without GIS and geography, you are nowhere.
Email address: tkauhi@geoengineers.com
Company website: http://www.geoengineers.com/
Personal LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-kauhi-66154b12/
Washington Women in GIS & Technology (WWGT) LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6527088
Twitter username: @kauhi71