The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is celebrating 54 of its teachers statewide who have earned or renewed their National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification – a recognition for meeting the highest standards for teaching.
To earn or retain this certification, educators must be up-to-date with the latest strategies and best practices in education. It is a rigorous process that can take anywhere between one to three years and involves applicants submitting a comprehensive portfolio. The renewal process is just as demanding, requiring teachers to demonstrate professional growth.
“Providing equitable access to a high-quality public education will require all of us - administrators, teachers, students, parents and key community stakeholders - working together,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “By earning this distinguished national certification, these teachers have shown they are ready to do their part as we work to deliver on the power and promise of public education.”
Hawaii is consistently ranked among the top in terms of states in the nation for percentage of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT’s) and boasts one of the fastest growing populations of NBCT’s. There are currently 426 HIDOE teachers who have earned this certification.
“In 2019, the Aloha State added 30 new public school NBCT’s. This means more students throughout Hawaii being taught by teachers who prove they teach to the highest standards. Every student deserves to be taught by an accomplished teacher," added Peggy Brookins, NBCT, president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Oahu teachers were recognized today at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium. Neighbor island teachers will be recognized at the upcoming ceremonies:
- Hawaii Island: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 4:30 p.m. at Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus - William Lunalilo Center (16-716 Volcano Road, Keaau, HI 96749)
- Kauai: Thursday, Jan. 30, 4:00 p.m. at Kapaa Elementary Library (4886 Kawaihau Rd, Kapaʻa, HI 96746)
- Maui: Friday, Jan. 31, 4:30 p.m. at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus - Keopuolani Hale (270 Aapueo Parkway, Pukalani, HI 96768)
Congratulations to the following HIDOE teachers who earned their certification:
- Loren Ayresman, King Kekaulike High
- Ana Concessa Bingham, Mountain View Elementary
- Justin Brown, Kealakehe High
- Kris Chan, Lehua Elementary
- Melissa Ching, Red Hill Elementary
- Ann Davis, Waikiki Elementary
- Akeyo Garcia, Ewa Elementary
- Joyce Haase, Kaunakakai Elementary
- Catherine Hawkins, Innovations Public Charter School
- Nicole Heinlein, Iao Intermediate
- Leilani Hironaka, Red Hill Elementary
- Kryssa Isobe, Leihoku Elementary
- Andrew Jones, Admiral Arthur W. Radford High
- Janice Kam, Nuuanu Elementary School
- John Kluesner, Henry Perrine Baldwin High
- Johnson Koo, Kapaa Elementary
- Natalie Lalagos, Kealakehe High
- Jonathan Loomis, President William McKinley High
- Stephanie Muneno, Waialae Elementary
- Demetra Pappas, Waianae Elementary
- Yvette Rapozo, Kapaa Elementary
- Amber Riel, Waianae High
- Lynn Sakata, King Liholiho Elementary
- Casi Segawa, Mayor Joseph Fern Elementary
- Erin Takamura-luu, Red Hill Elementary
- Allison Tanaka, Lehua Elementary
- Lorianne Marie Telles, Leihoku Elementary
- Cynthia Twibell, University Laboratory School
- Jessica Uptegrove, Kalihi Kai Elementary
- Christine Williams, Hana High & Elementary
- Denise Yamada, Waipahu High
- Lee-ann Yoshizumi, James Campbell High
For more information about the certification and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, visit
www.nbpts.org.
