University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu student Ashley Macho and recent graduate Marc Mercado Jr., both from the Academy for Creative Media at UH West O‘ahu, recently hosted workshops that provided an opportunity for them to learn how to teach creative skills as well as to professionalize themselves.
Their how-to workshops on writing haikus and using the popular digital art app Procreate were part of Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group’s (HPMG) annual Health & Wellness Professional Development Day held on June 11. HPMG consists of Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i physicians, providers, and administrative specialists.
“Teaching these workshops not only introduced me to so many new people, but I also learned more about Procreate and artistic skills in creating the class itself,” Macho said. “So, both the teacher and the students learned something from the class!”
Macho is an upcoming junior majoring in Creative Media with a concentration in General Creative Media. She plans to graduate in spring 2026.
“It’s crucial for creative media students to gain exposure by teaching what they are learning since this experience reinforces their own understanding and mastery of the subject matter,” said Sharla Hanaoka, director of the Academy for Creative Media at UH West O‘ahu.
The HPMG health and wellness event drew nearly 600 physicians, providers, and administrative staff who participated in various in-person activities including surfing and pickleball, along with virtual classes such as hula, retirement planning, and the classes taught by Macho and Mercado.
“We’re very grateful to the students from UH West O‘ahu who served as instructors for our physicians and providers at our recent Professional Development Day event,” said Dr. John Yang, President and Medical Director for HPMG, which leads care delivery for Kaiser Permanente members in Hawai‘i. “It’s always great to partner with learning institutions and give opportunities to students to become teachers in their areas of expertise.”
Macho presented two sessions of her hour-and-a-half-long workshop, “Intro to Procreate.” Participants learned how to use the digital art program to make shapes and a color pallet, then they were tasked to create a landscape. Macho’s workshop had about 30 total participants, including a geneticist, internist, cardiologist, pediatrician, otolaryngologist, anesthesiologist, psychiatrist, and more.
“Teaching the workshop exposed me to different levels of expertise,” Macho said. “The people I was teaching were people who studied for several years, and they helped save lives. They know so much more than I do, yet they were there to learn from me on how to use an app I‘ve been using for four years.”
Macho said everything that seemed simple and easy to her was completely new to them.
“It made me realize that we all have our specialties and that we all can still continue to learn,” she said. “It also helped me see through the eyes of my instructors, and that teaching is not an easy task.”
Mercado, who just graduated in the spring with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media with a concentration in General Creative Media, presented two sessions of his hour-long workshop, “Haikus on the Run.” Participants — all doctors including a pediatrician, chiropractor, and internal medicine practitioner — learned about the Japanese poetic art form that can help with self-expression and relaxation.
“I’ve always wanted to lead a class or teach anything at all, so these workshops — even if it was just a day workshop of teaching haikus — was incredibly fulfilling for me,” Mercado said. “It’s exciting to guide people through something and see their faces light up when they get it.”
Mercado added that the experience taught him that everyone brings unique ideas, and there is no single right or wrong way to teach.
“The focus should always be on the student, guiding them to their own path of success, whatever that may be,” Mercado said.
Both Macho and Mercado said they really enjoyed when their workshop participants shared their work at the end of each session and how they expressed their creativity.
“Teaching demands clarity and some depth of knowledge, ensuring they (creative media students) solidify their skills,” Hanaoka said. “Moreover, it fosters empathy, by compelling them to consider diverse perspectives and learning styles, ultimately leading to more inclusive and user-centered creations.”
Hanaoka continued, “Through the act of teaching, students develop a heightened awareness of their audience’s needs, enhancing their ability to craft meaningful and impactful media.”