CAMPUS NEWS
Palacat finds 'dream job' here at Windward
by Robert W.K. Meyer

Today WCC psychology instructor Frank Palacat walks the narrow corridor of Hale Na‘auao, passing colleagues’ offices until he reaches his own. It wasn’t so long ago that these same colleagues were once his professors.

“I never thought I’d share offices with them,” said Palacat. “Sometimes I don’t know whether I should say ‘Hi, Ms. Cunningham’ or ‘Hi, Lillian.’ In many ways, I still feel like a student.”

Following his graduation from Kalaheo High School in 1989, Palacat quickly enrolled at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa. But feeling like a “number” rather than an “individual,” Palacat decided it would be best to attend college closer to home.

“I blossomed at Windward. I felt like a person,” he recalled. “All my teachers knew my name and treated me with respect.”

Experiencing success at Windward fueled Palacat to pursue a career path that would allow him to help others succeed. “Originally, I wanted to stay in the DOE to help kids who get lost in the system like I did,” said Palacat.

He said feeling “lost” is an ongoing problem for many school kids. “They have the potential and motivation to do well in school. They just need a little more personal attention,” he added.

Palacat acquired his associate’s degree at WCC and transferred to the University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu, where he graduated with a psychology/sociology degree. He then earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University.

Considering himself a “lifelong” or “self-taught” learner, Palacat tries to instill in his students that they can be actively involved in teaching themselves and others.

“You don’t need a teacher. You can do it on your own and also with your friends,” he explained. “ Find a few friends in any class, get together and break the book down.”

Palacat uses learner-centered teaching as the crux of his classroom style and organizes his students into hui or groups. He cites research that shows learner-centered approaches are more effective than teacher-centered ones.

Currently pursuing a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, Palacat maintains that he will continue to teach at Windward for many years to come.

“I found the job I love, and I encourage everyone else to do the same,” he said. “This is my ultimate job. I want to give back. I want to help others succeed.”

Aside from teaching at Windward, Palacat also coaches youth sports and referees in the OIA. He and his wife, Suzanne, have two children, Kolu and Aleka.