Teaira Andrea Honor

Teaira A. Honor, M.A., M.S., is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Human Development at Pacific Oaks College, where she has taught for nine years. Her teaching, scholarship, and professional practice reflect a commitment to preparing reflective, ethical, and culturally responsive professionals. With more than 15 years of experience spanning higher education, behavioral health, early childhood education, special education, and nonprofit leadership, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective that connects academic scholarship with real-world practice. Her teaching encompasses psychology, human development, early childhood education, anti-bias education, teacher preparation, leadership, adult learning, and the learning sciences.

As a Thesis Chair, Committee Member, and graduate mentor, Honor guides master's students through qualitative research design, thesis development, Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, and scholarly writing. She is equally committed to preparing and mentoring teacher candidates to become PK-12 educators and leaders while supporting emerging researchers in ethical research, research compliance, and the thoughtful application of qualitative methods to address complex educational and social issues.

Honor's professional experience extends beyond higher education to leadership and direct service roles in behavioral health, residential treatment, early childhood education, special education, and community-based nonprofit organizations. Throughout her career, she has worked collaboratively with children, adolescents, families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to support learning, development, inclusion, and well-being. Her expertise includes crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, program leadership, family engagement, and evidence-informed practice. These experiences continue to shape her teaching and help students connect theory with authentic professional practice.

Honor earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Arts in Infant and Early Childhood Development: Mental Health and Developmental Disorders from Fielding Graduate University. She also holds Child Development Teacher and Child Development Program Director permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.