Mitzi Hasegawa Named Maui District Teacher of the Year

By Wendy Osher

Mitzi Hasegawa, courtesy photo Hawaii Department of Education.

Hasegawa is credited with her advocacy for a K-12 Math Professional Learning Community where teachers now meet a least twice monthly to strengthen curriculum.

Hasegawa also resurrected Hana School’s Math Matters team, creating a venue for upper elementary students to practice math problems after school.

As a math teacher, DOE officials say Hasegawa’s goal has been to create relevant lessons and convince students that math is useful, makes sense, and can be fun.

When she was a student, Mitzi loved learning and solving challenging problems, according to a DOE news release; so, it was a natural transition for her to become a teacher, a career she says allows her “to be a student forever.”

Hasegawa was among seven district teachers of the year in the state, earning a $500 award for her accomplishment.

Chad Miller, an English language arts teacher at Kailua High School in the Windward District, was selected as Hawaii’s 2012 State Teacher of the Year.

Miller received a $1,000 award, and a free one-year lease on a new car.