ハワイ州教育省

カ・オイハナ・ホオナ・アウアオ・ケ・アウプニ・ハワイ

HIDOE recognizes complex area and charter school teachers of the year

  • The finalists are (top row, left to right), David Adler, Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano, Jessica Canyon, Susan Chew. (Second row, left to right) Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo, Steve Hanks, Judith (Elise) Hannigan, Christopher Justo. (Third row, left to right) Jodi Kadoyama, Emily Mendoza, Kristel Pigao, Dawn Spurrell-Robinson. (Bottom row, left to right) Courtney Suma, Kris Tajima, Kathleen Trifonovitch, Natsumi Yamasato.

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 part of the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition. 

“This year’s Teachers of the Year exemplify the profound impact our dedicated educators have in preparing our students to become globally competitive and locally committed,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Their commitment to fostering not just academic excellence, but also creativity, resilience, curiosity and critical thinking, is truly inspiring. We are honored to celebrate these individuals who are actively building a foundation for success for our students, our schools, and our state.”

The teachers of the year, in alphabetical order, are:

Teacher
複合施設エリア
学校
Subject or Grade
David Adler
ナナクリ・ワイアナエ
ナナクリ小学校
6th grade math and science
Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano
キャッスル・カフク
カフク高等学校および中等学校
Modern History of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Language
Jessica Canyon
ファリントン・カイザー・カラニ
ファーン小学校
5年生
Susan Chew
ハナ-ラハイナルナ-ラナイ-モロカイ島
Lanai High and Elementary
幼稚園
Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo
Public Charter Schools
Ke Kula oʻ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School
Kindergarten (Hawaiian immersion)
Steve Hanks
ホノカア-ケアラケヘ-コハラ-コナワエナ 
Honoka‘a High & Intermediate
11th and 12th grade math
Judith (Elise) Hannigan
Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa
ケアアウ高校
英語
Christopher Justo
レイレフア・ミリラニ・ワイアルア
ミリラニ中学校
Agriculture
Jodi Kadoyama
パールシティ・ワイパフ
マナナ小学校
Curriculum Coordinator
Emily Mendoza
アイエア・モアナルア・ラドフォード
アイエア高校
料理芸術
Kristel Pigao
ボールドウィン・ケカウリケ・クラニハコイ・マウイ
ワイヘエ小学校
5年生
Dawn Spurrell-Robinson
ヒロ・ワイアケア
ヒロ・ワイアケア複合エリア
PreK-6
Courtney Suma
キャンベル・カポレイ
カポレイ高校
Career Academy Coordinator
Kris Tajima
カイムキー・マッキンリー・ルーズベルト
カウルウェラ小学校
English Learner Coordinator
Kathleen Trifonovitch
カイルア・カラヘオ
マウナウィリ小学校
4年生
Natsumi Yamasato
カパア・カウアイ・ワイメア
Wilcox Elementary

In September, one teacher will be announced as the 2026 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.