HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) today named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as finalists for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition.
“Each of these educators utilize innovative approaches to cultivate high-quality environments of teaching and learning where students can thrive,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Their passion for teaching and unwavering dedication to student success inspire and elevate our students, staff, schools and communities.”
The honored finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Teacher | Área compleja | Escuela | Subject or Grade |
Leah ʻAiwohi | Kapaa, Kauai y Waimea | Escuela secundaria Kauai | Computer Science, STEM and Career Technical Education |
Ian Cablay | Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Waialua High | Music/Band |
Tennelle Clark | Nānākuli-Waiʻanae | Escuela primaria Wai'anae | 5to grado |
Lauren Collier | Castillo-Kahuku | Kane‘ohe Elementary | Educación especial |
Robin Cone-Murakami Barros | Public Charter Schools | The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS) | Art |
Leah Gouker | Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa | Pāhoa High | Estudios sociales |
Nicole Laeha | Kailua-Kalāheo | Nivel intermedio de Kailua | Computer Science and Engineering Electives |
Karla “Viviana” Martinez | Honoka'a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena | Preparatoria Konawaena | Artes del lenguaje inglés |
Jessie O’Neill-Prest | Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihāko'i-Maui | Escuela primaria Kihei | Curriculum Coordinator |
Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko | Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai | Escuela Secundaria Lahainaluna | Hawaiian Language, Hula, Hawaiian History |
Jonathan Peralto | Hilo-Waiākea | Nivel intermedio de Waiākea | Estudios sociales |
Jennifer Sato | Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt | Escuela primaria Kūhiō | Academic Coach |
Bryan Silver | Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani | Preparatoria Kalani | Career Technical Education: Engineering |
Erin Takamura-Luu | 'Aiea-Moanalua-Radford | Escuela primaria Red Hill | 1er grado |
Sherry Tenn | Ciudad Perla-Waipahu | Preparatoria Waipahu | Career Technical Education: Natural Resources |
Kim Virtudazo | Campbell-Kapolei | Escuela secundaria Campbell | Artes del lenguaje inglés |
In October, one teacher will be announced as the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program. The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators.
