Hawai‘i Education Association awards grants to three Maui educators

The Hawai‘i Education Association (HEA) recently awarded scholarships to three Maui educators: Erin Rodrigues, Arica Lynn and Stephanie Keseday.

The Hawaiʻi Educational Association, a nonprofit organization founded more than 100 years ago to support the education profession, recently awarded a total of $26,500 in scholarships to 20 individuals at various stages of their teaching careers, from high school graduates just entering college to experienced educators pursuing additional education to broaden their capabilities.

Makawao resident Erin Rodrigues, an educational assistant at Makawao Elementary School, is the recipient of the first HEA Carol H. Yoneshige Scholarship in memory of Faith C. Ai.

Rodrigues is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Grand Canyon University, with plans to become a licensed elementary teacher in Hawaiʻi. Her $3,000 scholarship will help offset the cost of earning her teaching degree, allowing her to continue balancing college coursework while working full-time in the classroom.

Arica Lynn, a Lahaina resident and a biology teacher at Lahainaluna High School, received a $1,000 HEA Ronald K. Toma Scholarship for Professional Learning. She is currently pursuing professional learning through the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Sustainability and Resilience Education program.

Her scholarship will help cover tuition for the yearlong program, equipping her with new knowledge in climate science, eco-literacies, and culturally grounded sustainability practices that she will bring back to her classroom and school community. 

Deeply committed to the recovery and future of Lahaina, she hopes to help students reconnect with the region’s rich cultural and ecological history while exploring innovative solutions for community resilience and food sustainability. Through her studies, Lynn plans to develop interdisciplinary lessons, collaborate with fellow educators, and empower students to help build a stronger, more sustainable future for Lahaina.

A dedicated educator since 2013, Lynn is passionate about integrating place-based education, indigenous knowledge, and sustainability into her science curriculum to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.

Kihei resident Stephanie Keseday, a special education teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate School, received a $752 HEA Ronald K. Toma Scholarship for Professional Learning, which supports Hawai‘i Department of Education pre-K–12 teachers and school administrators who are pursuing professional learning opportunities, other than an advanced degree and formal post-secondary courses in higher education.

Keseday is dedicated to helping diverse learners succeed through engaging, accessible science instruction. Stephanie is passionate about making complex scientific concepts meaningful and accessible for all learners, particularly students with disabilities. 

Her scholarship will help fund coursework at Idaho University as she works toward earning a middle school science certification, strengthening her knowledge of next generation science standards and inquiry-based learning.  

In her HEA scholarship application, she wrote that she is looking forward to applying her new knowledge to create high-interest, inclusive science lessons that inspire curiosity and achievement in her classroom.

Keseday holds a bachelor of science degree in special education from Miami University and a master of science in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University.

She has nearly a decade of experience supporting students and is dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments where every child feels valued and capable of success. Her passion for teaching is rooted in helping students build confidence in themselves and their abilities. Her goal is to serve Hawaiʻi’s children by fostering classrooms where all learners can thrive and reach their full potential.