The Department’s 2023 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year, Michael Ida, has been out and about in the community for the past few months, sharing his commitment and dedication toward improving student learning and uplifting the teaching profession — all while maintaining his role as a veteran math and computer science teacher at Kalani High School.

From waking up at 1 a.m. to selecting his iconic white-shirt-and-tie outfits, take a behind the scenes look at a typical day of one of the state’s top educators. 

Students and colleagues share their thoughts on why Dr. Ida is so deserving of this recognition, and Dr. Ida himself provides insight into his teaching style and the process he uses to develop engaging and effective lessons. 

Get a glimpse into a day in the life of our 2023 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year below.