By J. Elise Hannigan, Kea‘au High School

As we stand on the brink of a brand-new school year, there is a familiar energy in the air. We feel the mix of anticipation, excitement, and nerves as we prepare our spaces and plan for the months ahead. 

Welcome back. Whether you are stepping into a school building for your first year or your fortieth, your presence here matters. 

As the 2026 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year, this past year has been a profound, humbling journey. Through this role, I have had the extraordinary privilege of traveling across our islands and across the country; attending conferences, leading professional development, and connecting with educators around Hawai‘i and around the world. From rural island classrooms to bustling conference halls, I have listened to our stories, shared in our triumphs, and witnessed the relentless dedication that drives our profession. 

Looking back on this year, people often ask me about the highlights of this experience. While the speaking and learning opportunities were incredible, the single greatest gift the Teacher of the Year program has given me is an amazing community of people to connect with. I have found mentors, kindred spirits and fierce advocates who inspire me, ground me, hold me up, and remind me each day why we do this work. Connecting with colleagues across our islands and nation has transformed my perspective and recharged my spirit in ways I never could have anticipated. 

Throughout all these conversations, one undeniable truth keeps surfacing: we cannot do this work in isolation. 

Education is inherently relational. The moments that sustain us through difficult days, and elevate us during triumphant ones, rarely come from individual effort. They come from community. Surrounding ourselves with a positive, supportive network is not just a luxury in our field; it is our lifeline. It is the colleague who you can bounce plans off of, the administrator who holds space for your big ideas, and the professional circle that challenges you to grow while propping you up when you are exhausted. 

As we step into this new school year, my encouragement to each of you is twofold: find your community, and create community in your spaces. 

First, seek out the people who lift you up. Find the colleagues who speak with optimism, who offer practical solutions, and who remind you why you chose this calling. As my dear friend says “find your marigolds,” avoid toxic people and seek out the ones who prioritize health and well-being. Do not hesitate to lean on others, ask for help, or share your own light. Be vulnerable. None of us are meant to carry the weight of our schools alone. 

Second, become an intentional builder of community in every space you enter. In our classrooms, build a refuge of belonging where students feel safe to take risks and celebrate one another’s growth. In our schools, foster spaces where kindness, listening, and empathy are the

default. In our conference rooms, approach meetings and professional learning not just as agenda items, but as opportunities to lift each other up and solve problems together. 

When we intentionally seek and cultivate supportive communities, the ripple effect is extraordinary. Our classrooms become spaces of connection, our schools have shared purpose, and our profession, and by default our students, grow stronger and more resilient. 

Thank you for your heart, your dedication, and the unique wisdom you bring to our schools. As we begin this year together, let us commit to lifting as we climb, surrounding each other with support, and building communities where everyone can truly thrive. 

Wishing you all an inspiring, joyful and connected school year!