O' Kawai Kin
About the Teacher
Why study with them?
O’Kawai [pronounced ka’wai] Kin (she/they) is an educator, council facilitator, artist, and musicianShe studied sociology at Oregon State, Ventura College, and San Jose State University, where she also played on the women’s basketball teams. Following graduation, O’Kawai worked for five years as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. In 2009, she began working with Celebrate Life, an outdoor education organization in which the council practice is instrumental. It was through these experiences that led to O’Kawai’s desire to become a council trainer and ceremonialist.
O’Kawai worked at the Ojai Foundation as a facilitator for Rites of Passage and other programs. For over a decade, she has been teaching and facilitating Council circles in schools, professional development settings, and with “at risk” youth. She has taught in the classroom at both Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in the Life Skills department, and at New Roads School in Human Development. Her dream is to bring the practice of council to schools, organizations, sports teams, and communities all over the world.
Now the Director of Education at Topa Institute, O’Kawai is focusing on a variety of youth educational programs, across many demographics. Offering council training and ceremonial opportunities for people of all ages are also an area of central importance. O’Kawai believes deeply in the practice of authentic communication as a path to deeper relationships, greater social understanding, and a more peaceful world.
O’Kawai worked at the Ojai Foundation as a facilitator for Rites of Passage and other programs. For over a decade, she has been teaching and facilitating Council circles in schools, professional development settings, and with “at risk” youth. She has taught in the classroom at both Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in the Life Skills department, and at New Roads School in Human Development. Her dream is to bring the practice of council to schools, organizations, sports teams, and communities all over the world.
Now the Director of Education at Topa Institute, O’Kawai is focusing on a variety of youth educational programs, across many demographics. Offering council training and ceremonial opportunities for people of all ages are also an area of central importance. O’Kawai believes deeply in the practice of authentic communication as a path to deeper relationships, greater social understanding, and a more peaceful world.
