HIDOE News Release: 87 Hawai‘i public school educators earn, renew NBCT certification

Posted on Feb 1, 2023 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) is celebrating 83 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.

A ceremony was held Wednesday evening at the Hawai‘i State Capitol with special guests including Gov. Josh Green, Superintendent Keith Hayashi, Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong, HIDOE’s 2023 State Teacher of the Year Michael Ida, legislators and representatives from the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association.

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 from one to three years and involves applicants submitting a comprehensive portfolio. The renewal process is just as demanding, requiring teachers to demonstrate professional growth.

“National Board Certified Teachers elevate not only their own skills, but help to improve their school and other schools across the state,” Superintendent Hayashi said. “The outstanding work of our individual teachers help to guide our schools, programs and priorities, and we are extremely grateful to have these teachers leading our Hawaii public school system forward.”

Hawai‘i is consistently ranked among the top states in the nation for the percentage of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) and boasts one of the fastest growing populations of NBCT educators. There are currently 383 active HIDOE teachers with this certification.

“The decision to pursue National Board Certification is not taken lightly. Teachers, who already have so many responsibilities on a daily basis, choose to add to the work they are doing to benefit their profession and their students,” said Logan Okita, an NBCT at Nimitz Elementary and vice president of the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association. Okita said national data show students with National Board Certified teachers often achieve gains equivalent to 1.5 months of additional learning.

Congratulations to the following Hawai‘i public school teachers who received or renewed their certification:

Hawai‘i Island (17)

Robyn Amana, Kea‘au Elementary
Gigi Goochey, Kealakehe High
Shana Kiriu, Kea‘au High
Shelby Loo, Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School
Jacqueline Kubo Luna, Kapi‘olani Elementary
Maegan MacGregor, Waikōloa Elementary and Middle
Nauileiilima Murphy, Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School
Kerry Ogawa, Mountain View Elementary
Amy Pankowski, Keonepoko Elementary
Malia Perry, Waiākea Elementary
Pascale Pinner, Hilo Intermediate
Susanna Rivera, Kea‘au Elementary
Shelley Roberg, Holualoa Elementary
Aysha Spencer, Kalaniana‘ole Elementary and Intermediate
Samantha Tomori, Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area
Christina Vien, Kealakehe Elementary
Heather Wickersham, Konawaena High

Kaua‘i (4)

Caroline Freudig, Kalaheo Elementary
Summer Holwegner, Kaumuali‘i Elementary
Kathy Shibuya, Kaumuali‘i Elementary
Doreen Stone, Kaumuali‘i Elementary

Maui County (11)

Malia Draper, Waihe‘e Elementary
Caroline Flynn, Kamali‘i Elementary
Beth Fobbe-Wills, Kahului Elementary
Bo Kim-Bautista, Wailuku Elementary
Kristi Nitta, Lihikai Elementary
Lianne Otani-Nakagawa, Maui District Office
Hannibal Starbuck, Baldwin High
Elizabeth Toba, Pu‘u Kukui Elementary
Maile Viela, Waihe‘e Elementary
Andrea Yuen, Kaunakakai Elementary
Victoria Zupancic, Lahainaluna High

O‘ahu (55)

Maria Bernard-Reantaso, Moanalua High
Griffin Bolan, Wai‘anae High
Michelle Carlson, Daniel K. Inouye Elementary
Dustin Chang, Pearl Harbor Elementary
Tanya Cobbin, Waipahu High
Jennifer Davis, ‘Aikahi Elementary
Cindy Deuz, Red Hill Elementary
Jason Duncan, Mililani High
Lisa Espiritu, Nimitz Elementary
Eleyne Fia, Campbell High
Jill Fletcher, Kapolei High
Cathy Lynne Fong, Liholiho Elementary
Keisha Funaki, Lā‘ie Elementary
Holland Henderson, Castle High
Jami Higashi Lee, Pearl City High
Dayna Hironaka, Kahalu‘u Elementary
Lisa Hyatt, Kahuku High and Intermediate
Michael Ibara, Kalākaua Middle
Tracy Kaichi, Waipahu High
Mara Kaizawa Hiramoto, McKinley HIgh
Naomi Kamauoha, Lincoln Elementary
Dawn Kanoho, Momilani Elementary
Suanne Kim, Pālolo Elementary
Rayna Kinoshita, Pearl Harbor Elementary
Carolyn Kirio, Farrington High
Matthew Lawrence, Waikīkī Elementary
Ferozah MacKenzie, Kalihi Kai Elementary
Mary Matsukawa, Kailua High
Erin Mendelson, Helemano Elementary
Nikki Morishige, Waiāhole Elementary
Lisa Nakama, Momilani Elementary
Amber O’Riley, Kahuku High and Intermediate
Kalelani Kay Ogata, Lincoln Elementary
Lisa Oka, Moanalua High
Troy Okamoto, Radford High
Raylene Peters, Kailua High
Jessica Piiohia, Mālama Honua Public Charter School
Jillian Przygodzinski, Ali‘iolani Elementary
Catherine Ritti, Farrington High
Christina Russo, Campbell High
Tammy Sanekane, Fern Elementary
Jennifer Sato, Kūhiō Elementary
Mary Shire, ‘Aiea Intermediate
Amy Shishido, Kawananakoa Middle
Hwa Hee Sohn, Office of Strategy Innovation and Performance, Assessment Section
Heidi Soriano, Holomua Elementary
Donna Soriano, Wai‘anae Elementary
Lisa Staib, Kamaile Academy Public Charter School
Amber Stanley, Kamilo‘iki Elementary
Kelly Sutcliffe, Jefferson Elementary
Jodi Tanabe-Hanzawa, McKinley High
Courtney Tawata, Waikīkī Elementary
Kim Virtudazo, Campbell High
Lynn Wakahiro, Momilani Elementary
Maile Yasui, Momilani Elementary

For more information about the certification and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, visit nbpts.org.

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Nanea Kalani

Communications Director

(808) 784-6200