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 | 複合施設エリア | 学校 | Subject or Grade |
Leah ʻAiwohi | カパア・カウアイ・ワイメア | カウアイハイ | Computer Science, STEM and Career Technical Education |
Ian Cablay | レイレフア・ミリラニ・ワイアルア | Waialua High | Music/Band |
Tennelle Clark | ナナクリ・ワイアナエ | ワイアナエ小学校 | 5年生 |
Lauren Collier | キャッスル・カフク | Kane‘ohe Elementary | 特別教育 |
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 | 社会科 |
Nicole Laeha | カイルア・カラヘオ | カイルア中級 | Computer Science and Engineering Electives |
Karla “Viviana” Martinez | ホノカア-ケアラケヘ-コハラ-コナワエナ | コナウェナ高校 | 英語科 |
Jessie O’Neill-Prest | ボールドウィン・ケカウリケ・クラニハコイ・マウイ | キヘイ小学校 | Curriculum Coordinator |
Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko | ハナ-ラハイナルナ-ラナイ-モロカイ島 | ラハイナルナ高校 | Hawaiian Language, Hula, Hawaiian History |
Jonathan Peralto | ヒロ・ワイアケア | ワイアケア中級 | 社会科 |
Jennifer Sato | カイムキー・マッキンリー・ルーズベルト | クヒオ小学校 | Academic Coach |
Bryan Silver | ファリントン・カイザー・カラニ | カラニ高校 | Career Technical Education: Engineering |
Erin Takamura-Luu | アイエア・モアナルア・ラドフォード | レッドヒル小学校 | 1年生 |
Sherry Tenn | パールシティ・ワイパフ | ワイパフ高校 | Career Technical Education: Natural Resources |
Kim Virtudazo | キャンベル・カポレイ | キャンベル高校 | 英語科 |
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.
