{"id":15652,"date":"2025-09-19T16:54:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T02:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/?p=15652"},"modified":"2025-11-13T15:26:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T01:26:05","slug":"2026-hstoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/sm\/2026-hstoy\/","title":{"rendered":"Kea\u02bbau High School\u2019s Elise Hannigan named 2026 Hawai\u02bbi State Teacher of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

HONOLULU \u2014 The Hawai\u02bbi State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced Kea\u02bbau High School\u2019s Freshman Academy coordinator and senior mentor teacher J. Elise Hannigan as the 2026 Hawai\u02bbi State Teacher of the Year. Hannigan received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. Josh Green, M.D., Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Superintendent Keith Hayashi during an sauniga fa'ailoga<\/a> at Washington Place Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators. Hannigan was among 15 Complex Area Teachers of the Year and the Charter School Teacher of the Year recognized today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducators are the true core of our society\u2026We are appreciative of not just you, but the diversity that you represent \u2014 you inspire us, whether it\u2019s Hawaiian language, agriculture or culinary arts,\u201d Gov. Green said at the event. \u201cPeople ask us how we are going to diversify our economy, and it\u2019s very likely going to start in our schools \u2026 On behalf of the state of Hawai\u02bbi, and Jaime and I, mahalo for your sacrifices, for working so hard \u2026 and for loving those children like your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superintendent Hayashi praised Hannigan for her dedication and leadership, highlighting how her work embodies the values of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s public education system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Elise exemplifies the profound impact that our Hawai\u02bbi educators have in preparing our students to become globally competitive and locally committed leaders in the community,” Hayashi said. “Her holistic approach to student success, particularly with Kea\u02bbau High School\u2019s nationally recognized Freshman Academy, has created a supportive school culture where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hannigan has been at Kea\u02bbau High for 13 years and previously served as an English educator, teaching a wide range of grade levels and subjects from ninth-grade inclusion classes to AP English Literature for seniors. She now dedicates her time to the freshmen students, helping to cultivate a supportive and inclusive school culture as they transition to high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since taking on her new role of Freshman Academy Coordinator, Hannigan has reestablished the school’s ‘Summer Bridge’ program, which helps new students build connections and a sense of belonging before the first day of school. Kea\u02bbau has seen significant improvements as a result of these types of initiatives \u2014 the school’s ninth grade retention rates decreased from over 15% to 5%, and the Freshman Academy obtained certification as a Model Academy through the National Career Academy Coalition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond her impact on the freshman class, Hannigan has been integral in developing a dual-purpose program where seniors enroll in an early college course and simultaneously serve as dedicated mentors to freshmen. She also organizes the school\u2019s annual Career Exploration Day, which helps expose students to diverse professions and career paths of community members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hannigan has served as a mentor teacher for new teachers, has served on various committees with the Hawai\u02bbi State Department of Education, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Hawai\u02bbi State Teachers Association, and CollegeBoard Advanced Placement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She earned an associate of arts in early childhood education from Olympic College, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Washington State University, and a Masters of Education from the University of Hawai\u02bbi Hilo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vice Principal Anthony Rypka described Hannigan as a steadfast leader with a deep passion for her students. \u201cMrs. Hannigan is an exceptional educator and leader whose dedication and impact on Kea\u02bbau High School are truly remarkable,\u201d he said. \u201c[She] has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and an unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’m honored to stand before such an amazing group of people and their supporters,\u201d Hannigan said upon accepting the award before humbly acknowledging that any of the honored teachers could have received the award. \u201cI hope I can continue to represent our school, our complex area, our state and our profession well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hannigan thanked her family, colleagues and administration at Kea\u02bbau High and the complex area, as well as her students. \u201c[My students] have reminded me over and over that teaching is a privilege and a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. Each day we are entrusted with the future of this world and each day we have the choice to build our future up or tear our future down. I hope that as we continue to interact with our students, that we will not be the voice that says: \u2018you don\u2019t want to do that\u2019, and instead says: \u2018how can I help you reach that goal?\u2019 Thank you again for this opportunity and for the confirmation that I do want to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hannigan will represent Hawai\u02bbi in the National Teacher of the Year program. A national winner will be named this spring in Washington, D.C. The Teacher of the Year award prizes included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n