She stresses importance of meeting students ‘where they’re at’ Posted: May 18, 2026 T​he Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s STACY Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes a teacher who demonstrates leadership, dedication and passion in the areas of scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community and youth. It is one of the highest honors bestowed by the union. This year’s recipient is Lauren Pokipala, an English language arts curriculum coach in the reading intervention program at Castle High School. She was honored in a special awards ceremony at the Honolulu Country Club on May 16. Pokipala has spent her entire 19-year [...]