#hawaii teacher of the year

Maui finalists include Jessie O’Neill-Prest, a Kīhei Elementary Curriculum Coordinator from the Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui complex area; and Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko a Hawaiian language, hula and Hawaiian history teacher at Lahainaluna High in the Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanaʻi-Molokaʻi complex area.

Jackie Freitas, a natural resources teacher at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, Oʻahu, received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. Josh Green and Superintendent Keith Hayashi during an awards ceremony on Oct. 3.

Waiheʻe Elementaryʻs curriculum coordinator, Malia Draper, and Lahainaluna math teacher Cornelio “CJ” Ancheta, are among the list of 15 educators across the state selected as finalists for the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.

The awards were issued to Shannon Kealoha, a teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate within the Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui Complex,  and Heidi Jenkins, a science/technology/engineering/math resource teacher for the Maui District Office’s Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex.

Jessica Adkins and Kaui Spitalsky were among the 13 finalists for this yearʻs state Teacher of the Year Award.

Maui’s Brandon Arakawa was named Maui District Teacher of the Year as part of the annual recognition and awards issued by the state Department of Education.

Maui’s Francine Hughes is among a list of teachers from across the state that were named Teacher of the Year for their respective districts by the state DOE.

Maui’s Anthony Williams, a teacher at Pāʻia Elementary School, is one of seven District Teachers of the Year being considered for the statewide 2014 Teacher of the Year honor.

The cafeteria staff at Makawao Elementary School on Maui and one of the school’s administrators are in the running for two prestigious awards issued by the state Department of Education.

“He personally demonstrates the value of a healthy lifestyle by coaching as well as teaching our keiki during the critical middle school years when they thrive in the presence of good role models and reminders of concrete goals,” said Rep. McKelvey.