On a small island in Kiribati, Tabeta Boraia Tangata first began to imagine a future that was different–not just for herself, but for the children who would come after her.
Now a senior at BYU–Hawaii, majoring in history education, Tangata carries that vision with her. It’s what guides her studies, shapes her goals, and ultimately fuels her desire to return home with honor and improve her home’s education system one step at a time.
Finding her Path
Tangata’s desire to teach began long before she arrived at BYU–Hawaii. Growing up in Kiribati, she experienced both the strengths and limitations of her local education system. Those early experiences shaped her determination to make a difference.
“My dream before coming here was always to be a teacher,” Tangata shared, “Helping to drop off my nieces and nephews–watching them run to their teachers inspired me, which only got stronger when I started studying on the island.”
While her inspiration began within her family, her motivation expanded as she recognized broader needs in her community. One of the most significant challenges she faced was English proficiency, which she found also affected other students’ opportunities–especially when transitioning to educational institutions like Hawaii.
“Education back home is good, but my English was not good when I came here,” she explained. “It made things difficult, at first, and I struggled. So I want to try and help my people avoid having a similar experience; I want to contribute to my people by returning to teach them English and raise our children’s proficiency.”
Access to education also posed challenges. For many students in Kiribati, simply continuing their schooling requires major transitions.
“Back in Kiribati, there’s only one elementary school that teaches English so early on—it’s so limited,” Tangata explained, “There was no high school on the island I come from, so all of us had to go to the main island to learn. This just simply wasn’t possible for all of us to do.”
This reality stayed with her and shaped her sense of purpose. For Tangata, becoming a teacher is not just a career choice, but a way to give back to her family and her people. And at BYU–Hawaii, that vision has continued to take shape.
Teaching on the Island
As part of her preparation, Tangata has participated in pre-student teaching experiences on the island. There, she has been introduced to new teaching methods and classroom environments that differ significantly from what she experienced growing up.
One of the most impactful differences she has observed is the emphasis on classroom management. In her experience, teaching in Hawaii involves a more holistic approach: one that prioritizes not only the students’ academic success, but also their emotional and social development.
Tangata expressed, “The way the other teachers really work with the student inspires me. I want to adopt their way of caring for the students’ well-being and take that with me to help my people back home.”
This exposure has broadened her understanding of what it means to be an educator. Rather than focusing solely on instruction, Tangata has learned the importance of connection, empathy, and creating a supportive learning environment.
Looking ahead, she hopes to blend these approaches with Kiribati's cultural values and realities, adapting what she has learned to meet her community's needs.
For the Family and People
At the heart of Tangata’s journey is a deep commitment to her family and her people. Her goal is not simply to return home with a degree, but to make a lasting impact in her community–particularly in English education. With what Tangata has seen, she believes her future contribution will open doors for future generations and give them greater access to higher education and global opportunities.
Her mission reflects the broader purpose of BYU–Hawaii: to develop leaders who serve and uplift others. Tangata embodies that mission through her desire to return home and invest in her community, one student at a time.
Despite the challenges she has faced from limited resources in her early education to adjusting to a new academic and cultural environment, Tangata remains focused on her goal and the achievements that have kept her going.
“Becoming an educator has been the best part of my journey here at BYU–Hawaii,” Tangata happily reflected, “The courses and opportunities I’ve taken here have helped me learn so much about myself, as well as helped me grow ... They will always remind me of why I’m here.”
That “why” has never changed.
It is in the memory of children running toward their classrooms. It is in the long journeys students take just to continue school. And it is in the hope that education can become more accessible, more supportive, and more empowering for those back home.
As Tangata prepares to graduate, she carries more than a degree. She carries a vision: one rooted in service, shaped by experience, and driven by love for her people. And soon, she’ll return to Kiribati, ready to begin.
One classroom at a time.