The Department today named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as finalists for the 2024 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition.
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 2024 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition.
“These outstanding educators have an unwavering dedication and passion for high-quality teaching and learning,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “We are proud to recognize them as true embodiments of what it means to be an exceptional educator, and are grateful for the creative and innovative ways in which they engage their students, colleagues and communities on a daily basis.”
On Oct. 3, one teacher will be announced as the 2024 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. The Department will livestream the ceremony from Washington Place starting at 3 p.m.
The honored finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Teacher | Wahi Paʻakikī | Kula | Subject or Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
Laurie Chang | Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt | Aliʻiolani Elementary | English Language Arts and Math |
Laura Cummings | Castle-Kahuku | Sunset Beach Elementary | Math and Science |
Pinky Grace Francisco | Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa | Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary | ʻŌlelo Pelekane |
Jackie Freitas | Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Leilehua High | Natural Resources |
David “Kawika” Gonzales Jr. | Hāna-Lāhaināluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai | Kaunakakai Elementary | papa 5 |
Marina Higa | 'Aiea-Moanalua-Radford | Mekia General William R. Shafter Elementary | Hoʻonaʻauao Kūikawā |
Jennifer Ilaban | Honoka'a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena | Kahakai Elementary | ʻŌlelo Pelekane |
Gregory Kent | Kailua-Kalāheo | Kailua Elementary | STEM |
Kara Kitamura | Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea | Kapaʻa Kiʻekiʻe | Science and Career Technical Education |
Jessica Peterson | Pearl City-Waipahu | ʻAukake Ahrens Elementary | Kindergarten |
Christopher Pike | Hilo-Waiākea | Ali'i Wahine Kapi'olani Elementary | papa 5 |
Norman Ray Sales | Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani | Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High | School Strategic Planner and Academy Coach |
John “Parker” Sawyer | Public Charter Schools | Kaʻohao School | STEM |
Donna Soriano | Nānākuli-Waiʻanae | Waiʻanae Elementary | STEM and Computer Science |
Melanie Teraoka | Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui | Waiheʻe Elementary | Reading Coach |
Ariel Villanueva | Campbell-Kapolei | ‘Ewa Makai Middle | Industrial Engineering and Technology |
