A Kapolei Middle School teacher received Educator of the Year Award at the Hawaii Association of Middle Level Education (HAMLE) annual conference Tuesday.
Shirley Yamauchi teaches seventh-grade English and also serves as president for HSTA's Leeward Chapter.
"We have so many talented teachers statewide, I was very honored, humbled and speechless," she said.
Yamauchi's award includes a certificate, personalized gift and $500, which she says will go toward professional development classes.
"I’m always trying to improve my teaching, even in my 19th year at Kapolei Middle," she said. "I'm very grateful for the cash prize award. All of it is going back toward my education."
Hundreds of public and private school educators from across the state gathered at Ewa Makai Middle School.
The day included breakout sessions taught by fellow teachers, including a session on flexible seating by NEA Foundation Horace Mann Award-winner Cynthia Tong.
Professional screenwriters Aaron and Jordan Kandell of "Moana" were the keynote speakers.