By COLIN M. STEWART
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Two Big Isle educators were singled out this month when they were honored for their work by the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network.
Terri York, at the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School, and Sally Bobb, of Innovations Public Charter School, were included in a group of four teachers across the state to be recognized in the Circle of Teaching Excellence at the network’s 2012-2013 “Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future” Awards.
“This is the second year we’ve been doing awards specific to charter schools to honor our passionate leaders and teachers,” said Lynn Finnegan, Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network.
Charter schools have been catching on in popularity across the state, Finnegan said, necessitating a way to honor the hard work and dedication of their employees, she explained.
“These people, they want to affect change in teaching and education,” she said. “They’re wanting to be a part of that. They’re willing to see things from a different angle. Charters really attract people who are mission driven.”
She added that the awardees are not only examples of excellent teaching, “but excellent examples of how charter schools may do things a little differently.”
York, 35, is a married mother of two and has been teaching at HAAS for two years now. She is one of the lead facilitators in the school’s InDigital program, which provides a hybrid distance learning program, with students attending in person and online.
When it comes to such a new field, York has plenty of experience, beginning teaching online in 2006.
“In the online world, that’s a veteran,” she said with a laugh.
Her chosen field may present some challenges, but at the end of the day “good teaching is good teaching, regardless of the medium you’re using,” she said. She added that building strong relationships with her students is the key to helping them achieve success.
“You have to make sure they’re invested, and you’re invested in their success,” she said. “It’s a partnership.”
York says she was thrilled and gratified to learn of her award, and was especially touched by the outpouring of support and kudos from her fellow teachers, students and parents.
“The feedback from the students and parents when they found out I was nominated, it was … That was one of the most rewarding things. When you teach, there are always the intrinsic rewards you get, like when you see a student gain a concept and you see that lightbulb go on. … But I felt honored to have that external award,” she said.
Meanwhile, Bobb, 62, of Innovations plans to retire this summer, with the Circle of Teaching Excellence recognition helping to round out a long and successful career in education.
She and her husband are celebrating 40 years together, and have a son who lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland. They have two grandchildren, ages 3 and 5.
Bobb says that the was “very surprised, very honored, and very touched,” when she was announced one of the winners of the teaching award.
But, she added, “I truly think that this award should go to the students and the families and the teachers at our school. I can’t be the best I can be without the support of all the people I work with. My students challenge and encourage me every day. Really, this award was for all of us.”
This marks her 38th year as a teacher, spending the last 11 years at Innovations, where she teaches humanities to middle schoolers. She also serves as Innovations’ middle school director.
“At charter schools, the wonderful thing is we get to create what we know is right for our kids and have experiences that help them be the best they can be,” she said. “We are a team-managed school, we work together to create what’s best for our kids. We’re small, like an ohana, which allows us to build strong relationships with the students.”
The other members of the Circle of Teaching Excellence included ‘Ululani Victor of Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School on Oahu and Shelby Dabin of Kanuikapono Public Charter School on Kauai.
Alvin Parker, Principal of Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao Public Charter School on Oahu was chosen as Charter School Leader of the Year, and University Laboratory School on Oahu was named Charter School of the Year.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
