HILO \u2013 Wai\u0101kea High School mathematics teacher Rory Inouye was recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award in a surprise school assembly to the cheers and applause of students, teachers and staff members. Regarded as the “Oscar Award of Teaching,” the award celebrates exceptional teachers and comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inouye was honored by Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Board of Education Chairman Warren Haruki and Superintendent Keith Hayashi and other officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRory is an exceptional teacher who tailors math and problem-solving lessons to his students\u2019 diverse backgrounds and talents to make learning a truly personal and engaging journey,\u201d Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. \u201cHis firm belief in student-led learning and real-world applications allows his students to see the practical relevance of mathematics in their daily lives, making abstract concepts tangible and intuitive. We are very lucky to have teachers like Rory who work hard to make learning fun and meaningful for students of all levels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inouye\u2019s passion for teaching is a family strength with his father, mother and brother all serving as educators. The Wai\u0101kea High alum received his bachelor\u2019s degree in education from the University of Hawai\u02bbi at M\u0101noa and a master\u2019s degree in education from the University of Hawai\u02bbi at Hilo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got into teaching not to win awards and not to be recognized, but to help the students, to give back. I remember being a student at Wai\u0101kea High School, and I wasn’t the strongest student. For me, that really inspired me to be a math teacher. We want to show students you don’t have to be afraid of math,\u201d Inouye said after receiving his award. \u201cTo be awarded this it’s just shocking, amazing, and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teaching at his alma mater, Inouye\u2019s leadership shines throughout the school where he serves on the WHS Freshman Academy faculty, manages after-school tutoring programs and advises the Homecoming Committee. Inouye, a former Wai\u0101kea High baseball player, also coached the team to consecutive appearances in Division I championship games in 2017 and 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI cannot think of anybody more deserving,\u201d Wai\u0101kea High Principal Kelcy Koga said. \u201cAll of our teachers here are outstanding but Rory has taken a leadership role in the Math Department and has definitely instituted new ways of teaching and provides a really great foundation for his students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inouye is the 82nd Hawai\u2018i teacher to receive the award since Hawai\u2018i joined the program in 1990, and joins Kaw\u0101nanakoa Middle School\u2019s Jade Pham this year as the first dual Milken awardees in Hawai\u02bbi since 2016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Past Milken Educator Award recipients from Hilo also include Jamil Ahmadia (Wai\u0101kea Intermediate, 1999), Jay Chow (Wai\u0101kea High, 1997), Leonora Kunimoto (Wai\u0101kea High, 1991) and Donna Saiki (Hilo High, 1990). Hawai\u2018i recipients have received awards along with a total of over $2 million in prize monies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHailing from a family of educators with deep roots in the community, Rory Inouye\u2019s passion for teaching and learning is evident in every endeavor,\u201d Lowell Milken said. \u201cRory\u2019s innovation in the classroom, coupled by his leadership and investment in the school at large, are making an indelible impact on students, colleagues, and the community he proudly serves. We congratulate Rory and welcome him to the Milken Educator Network.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Milken Educator Awards program, which was launched by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987, has been described as “the Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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