Governor Josh Green, M.D.

Governor Josh Green and Department of Education (HIDOE) Superintendent Keith Hayashi had the honor of presenting the HIDOE 2024 Teacher of the Year Award to Jackie Freitas of Leilehua High School at an event at Washington Place. Freitas was chosen from among 16 dedicated teachers selected by the HIDOE representing 15 complex areas and public charter schools.

The event celebrated all the finalists for the 2024 Hawai‘i Teacher of the Year Award, who stood out from a pool of 13,000 public educators statewide. Freitas devoted her 13-year teaching career to her alma mater, Leilehua High School. She specializes in teaching natural resources and advises the school’s Future Farmers of America program.

In her humble response, Freitas said, “I just love what I do… but everything I do is for my students. The students give me the passion, my family is there to back up everything I do. This is a very rewarding experience… This is not what I was expecting at all.”

Leilehua High School Principal Jason Nakamoto said, “I have been consistently impressed by [Jackie’s] dedication, passion, and effectiveness in the classroom and in the field. She has a deep understanding of good agricultural practices and uses innovative teaching methods to help engage her students… She beams pride and exemplifies the Leilehua way of leadership, humility, and service.”

Freitas has been selected to represent Hawai‘i in the National Teacher of the Year program in Washington, D.C. This prestigious program provides year-long professional development and training to selected educators nationwide.

The national winner will be announced in the spring of 2024. To see the full list of finalists, go to https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2024-HSTOY-finalists.aspx.