Maui Waena’s Suzuki Named 2017 Maui District Teacher of the Year

Maui’s Jennifer Suzuki, a teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate School was named the Maui District Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education.

She was one of eight teachers across the state that were considered for the 2017 State Teacher of the Year honor.

All District Teachers honorees received a $500 award from corporate sponsor, The Polynesian Cultural Center.

Winning an additional $1,000 award and the title of State Teacher of the Year was Washington Middle School teacher Sung Man Park.  He also received a one-year lease of a new car courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Automobile Dealers’ Association.

“Sung has done a magnificent job with his students as a mathematics teacher in public schools over twelve years,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.  “He began coaching Washington Middle School’s Math Team in 2010 and they have won the MathCounts state championship every year since.  That is a truly remarkable accomplishment.”

Under Park’s tutelage, three out of four students on Hawaii’s 2016 MathCounts National Championship team were from Washington Middle School.

The Oʻahu math teacher will represent the state at the National Teacher of the Year Program in April.

In addition to Park and Suzuki, other Hawaii’s District Teachers of the Year honored were:

• Kay Beach, Public Charter Schools, School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS)
• Luane Higuchi, Leeward District, Waianae Intermediate School
• Tracey Idica, Central District, ʻAiea High School
• Kristi Kusunoki, Windward District, Kailua Intermediate School
• David Mireles, Kauaʻi District, Kapaʻa High School
• Laurie Ann O’Brien, Hawaiʻi District, Keaʻau High School
  

  Maui’s Jennifer Suzuki (front row, second from the right), a teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate School was named the Maui District Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. She was one of eight teachers across the state that were considered for the 2017 State Teacher of the Year honor.

  

  Maui’s Jennifer Suzuki (front row, second from the right), a teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate School was named the Maui District Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. She was one of eight teachers across the state that were considered for the 2017 State Teacher of the Year honor.

  

  Jennifer Suzuki is the adviser to the Maui Waena Media and Technology Club. Maui Waena photo.

  

  Maui Waena Intermediate teacher Jennifer Suzuiki working with students. Courtesy photo.

  

  “Sung has done a magnificent job with his students as a mathematics teacher in public schools over twelve years,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “He began coaching Washington Middle School’s Math Team in 2010 and they have won the MathCounts state championship every year since. That is a truly remarkable accomplishment.”
  Under Park’s tutelage, three out of four students on Hawaii’s 2016 MathCounts National Championship team were from Washington Middle School.

  

  “Sung has done a magnificent job with his students as a mathematics teacher in public schools over twelve years,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “He began coaching Washington Middle School’s Math Team in 2010 and they have won the MathCounts state championship every year since. That is a truly remarkable accomplishment.”
  Under Park’s tutelage, three out of four students on Hawaii’s 2016 MathCounts National Championship team were from Washington Middle School.