HSTA honored new and recertified teachers during April 1 ceremony
Posted: April 6, 2022
The Hawaii State Teachers Association, the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE), and Kamehameha Schools held a ceremony Friday to celebrate dozens of teachers statewide who earned or recertified their National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in 2021.
Eighty-nine teachers from across Hawaii, 70 of whom are HIDOE and public charter school teachers, were honored during a virtual ceremony on April 1. The ceremony was live streamed on HSTA’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts.
National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in K–12 education and was developed to retain and recognize accomplished teachers and improve schools nationwide.
Hawaii teachers who maintain their current national board certification receive a $5,000 bonus per year, and teachers in hard-to-staff schools receive an additional $5,000 bonus per year.
The National Board Certification process is filled with component requirements that require extensive feedback and collaboration. It is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure, and the certification process is rigorous.
Friday’s ceremony included special messages from Gov. David Ige and his wife, Dawn Amano-Ige.
“This certification is a challenging process that will not only help teachers tap into a strong and collaborative network of professionals, but also provide teacher leadership opportunities amongst their peers, and most of all, advanced student readiness for the challenges of the 21st century,” Ige said.
A former educator, Amano-Ige lauded each teacher’s resilience, especially in light of recent challenges.
“As a former teacher and administrator, I know firsthand how hard our teachers work to transform their classrooms into safe learning environments, and as we have seen in the past two years, teachers proved time and time again how integral they are in building resiliency in our communities,” she said.
From the HIDOE, interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi offered congratulatory remarks while explaining how children benefit from having highly credentialed teachers in the classroom.
“Studies have shown that students taught by national board-certified teachers are more likely to succeed in school, scoring higher on exams, and gaining an equivalent of up to two months in additional learning.
“Board-certified teachers leave lasting impacts in the school they teach for, benefiting public schools across our state,” Hayashi said.
Dr. Tehani Corcoran, who serves as poʻo kumu or principal, for Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Island Middle School campus, spoke to teachers during the ceremony and praised them for their selfishness during the pandemic.
“We are called to lead in a time when rebuilding our learning environments is critical for our haumana, who have suffered through the multiple pivots of this stressful time,” she said, “and yet, each of you have turned your hands down to work in this extraordinary era, fulfilling the five core propositions with the National Board, particularly amidst the ever changing constraints of the current landscape.”
Logan Okita, Nimitz Elementary teacher, HSTA vice president, and NBCT recertification honoree spoke to her cohorts during the ceremony saying, “Being a national board-certified teacher isn’t just about the extra letters after our names, or the extra padding in our paychecks. It’s about being a reflective practitioner who is always looking to know more and to do better for our students. It’s about being brave and trying new things while stopping to think about the impact it has on student learning.
“Being an NBCT is about advocating for the needs of students, setting goals for each of them, and partnering with their parents and others to support their growth. It’s about welcoming others into our classrooms to learn from us and to help us grow. It’s about openly sharing the story of our journeys to encourage others to join us as NBCTs.
Congratulations to the teachers who earned or renewed their certification
Hawaii Island
Chayanee Brooks, Ka’u High-Pahala Elementary
Lori Cabalar, Keaau Elementary
Suzanne Dadzie, Kealakehe Elementary
Melanie Hoag, Konawaena Middle
Jennifer Ilaban, Kahakai Elementary
Joy Paul, Holualoa Elementary
Michael Shumate, Pa’auilo Elementary & Intermediate
Mari Souza, Waikoloa Elementary & Middle
Cristina Yohon, Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School
Kauai
Erin Medeiros, Kauai Kanuikapono Public Charter School
Maui County
Jennifer Ainoa, Molokai Middle
Shannon Alueta, Baldwin High
Danielle Hartwick, Makawao Elementary
Jamie Holtvedt, Makawao Elementary
Qurratul-Ayn Joy, Paia Elementary
Casey Kaaukai, Kula Elementary
Aaron Kondo, Maui High
Shahinaz Nassar, Wailuku Elementary
Margaret Ogle-Dphrepaulezz, Kula Elementary
Amber Olson, Kula Elementary
Kathleen Royer, Kamehameha III Elementary
Kacie Seitz, Kamalii Elementary
Brandi Spalding, Kekaulike High
Bronwyn Tatman, Maui High
Hillary Watt, Kihei Elementary
Jun Wu, HTA Satellite Campus – Maui
Oahu
Leanna Agcaoili, Fern Elementary
Camille Chong, Honolulu District Office
Patricia Contee, Salt Lake Elementary
Dawn Fraser, Kailua High
Sharon Fukayama, Hahaione Elementary
Leslie Hamasaki, Kalani High
Brandon Hanagami, Leilehua High
Jill Harai, Iliahi Elementary
Liane Ibara, Palolo Elementary
Cheryl Iwasaki , Ho’okele Elementary
Janelle Kawakami, Ewa Makai Middle School
Shelly Koyanagi, Moanalua High
Jamie Kubo, Red Hill Elementary
Samantha Kumagai, Teachers On Leave
Jamie Letreta, Holomua Elementary
Kelli Lim, Palisades Elementary
Christin Lovell, Aiea Elementary
Denise Low-Liu, Iliahi Elementary
Keevan Matsumoto, Kaimuki High
Elaine Medina, Leeward District Office
Cheryl Motoyama, Red Hill Elementary
Justine Nakagawa, Ewa Makai Middle School
Shanna Nakamura-Heaton, Aliiolani Elementary
Jenna Nitahara, Ewa Makai Middle School
Laura Obuhanych, Holomua Elementary
Elizabeth Okamoto, Ho’okele Elementary
Logan Okita, Nimitz Elementary
Caylin Pomella, Kainalu Elementary
Suzanne Reed, Teachers On Leave
Tamie Richardson, Kaimiloa Elementary
Joy Sahagun, Kalihi-Kai Elementary
Jennifer Sarpi, Pearl Ridge Elementary
Mari Sato, Enchanted Lake Elementary
Sheena-Marie Shimose, Leihoku Elementary
Tracy Takahashi, Waipahu High
Kimberly Tangaro, Mililani High
Dana Tanigawa, Office Of Hawaiian Education
Sherry Tenn, Waipahu High
Marieann Teves, Waianae Intermediate
Teri Ann Tokushige, Heeia Elementary
Ethan Toyota, Honouliuli Middle School
Kory Toyozaki, Lehua Elementary
Brandi Underwood, Enchanted Lake Elementary
Malia Vaughn, Castle High
Earn your National Board Certification
If you’re interested in starting your National Board Certification journey, you can find more information on candidate support, scholarships, and more via HSTA’s National Board Support Network.
HSTA extends extensive support for National Board Certification to its candidates. In partnership with Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA offers Jump Start, a two-week summer seminar series that takes a deep dive into the National Board Certification components while helping candidates build peer support. The 2022 session runs from June 13—24. Jump Start enrollment is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $150.