Three Big Island teachers were selected by the state Department of Education as finalists for the 2023 Teacher of the Year award.
The nominees include Joel Matsunaga, who teaches physical education throughout the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area for grades K-12; Chayanee Brooks at Ka‘u High, who teaches English for grades 11-12; and Kristy Taise, who is a social-emotional learning resource teacher for 13 schools within the Hilo-Waiakea complex.
Out of 13,000 DOE educators, 15 statewide nominees will move on to a final selection process in October, where one teacher from the state will represent Hawaii at the National Teacher of the Year program.
Matsunaga said his success stems from a growth-based mindset, combined with his leadership of Project No Ke Ola Pono O Na Keikie, a student wellness effort in West Hawaii that helps schools with events and activities.
“I think we were the first event post-pandemic for most of those schools, and that was the most incredible thing about connecting with those students, seeing them have fun, seeing them move and have positive experiences and seeing them work together,” he said. “It gave us hope seeing them come back.”
Matsunaga is from a generation of Hilo teachers, noting his grandmother was a kindergarten teacher at Hilo Union and was selected in 1973 as Hawaii State Teacher of the Year.
Chayanee Brooks has been teaching within the DOE for 10 years and credits her success to a combination of sensitivity and adaptability, often imagining herself as a student in her own classes.
“My goal is that students not only find comfort and meaning within texts, but also understand and make connections between themselves, their community, and this world with joy,” she said. “As a language arts teacher, I integrate art, sport, film, music or even food to encourage my students to see that language permeates all things we do in both its function and beauty.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic challenged Brooks at her rural school, it provided valuable lessons and renewed her purpose.
“When we got back in school together in person, we were so thrilled because a lot of students realized how much some people meant to them when they could not go out to see their peers.” she said.
“We went out together, laying on the grass soaking up the energy and warmth from the sun to write journals about what was on our curious minds. We laugh and we cry while engaging in literature.”
Kristy Taise was born and raised in Hilo and has been with the DOE for the past 17 years. She’s found the best way to connect with her students is just through being herself.
“Be vulnerable. Let them see the real you, the human you, make mistakes, and be able to laugh at yourself,” she said. “Perfect is not relatable. We all want to be seen, heard and valued.”
While Taise has transitioned from working with students to administrators, educators and counselors, she’s found connections are strengthened using the same techniques.
“I really have always enjoyed getting to know students by talking about things that have nothing to do with school or academics,” she said. “Some of the best relationships I’ve formed with students happened over lunch talking about things like what they’ve been watching or funny things that have happened with their siblings or friends.”
The state-selected Teacher of the Year will be invited to participate in a yearlong professional learning and development experience which includes visits to the Google headquarters, the opportunity to develop a TED-Ed talk and special recognition from the White House in the spring.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
