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 | Khu phức hợp | Trường học | Subject or Grade |
David Adler | Nānākuli-Wai'anae | Trường tiểu học Nānākuli | 6th grade math and science |
Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano | Lâu đài Kahuku | Kahuku trung cấp và cao cấp | Modern History of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Language |
Jessica Canyon | Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani | Trường tiểu học Fern | Lớp 5 |
Susan Chew | Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lāna'i-Molokai | Lāna‘i High and Elementary | Mẫu giáo |
Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo | Public Charter Schools | Ke Kula o‘ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School | Kindergarten (Hawaiian immersion) |
Steve Hanks | Honoka'a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena | Honoka‘a High & Intermediate | 11th and 12th grade math |
Judith (Elise) Hannigan | Ka'ū-Kea'au-Pāhoa | Cao trung Keaʻau | Tiếng Anh |
Christopher Justo | Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Mililani Trung | Agriculture |
Jodi Kadoyama | Thành phố Pearl-Waipahu | Trường tiểu học Mānana | Curriculum Coordinator |
Emily Mendoza | 'Aiea-Moanalua-Radford | Trường trung học Aiea | Nghệ thuật ẩm thực |
Kristel Pigao | Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihāko'i-Maui | Trường tiểu học Waihe'e | Lớp 5 |
Dawn Spurrell-Robinson | Hilo-Waiākea | Khu phức hợp Hilo-Waiākea | PreK-6 |
Courtney Suma | Campbell-Kapolei | Trường trung học Kapolei | Career Academy Coordinator |
Kris Tajima | Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt | Trường tiểu học Kauluwela | English Learner Coordinator |
Kathleen Trifonovitch | Kailua-Kalāheo | Trường tiểu học Maunawili | Lớp 4 |
Natsumi Yamasato | Kapa'a-Kaua'i-Waimea | Wilcox Elementary | STEM |
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.
