Big Island Thieves

Three Big Island Teachers Named as Finalists for the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) today named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as finalists for the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition. 

“We are proud to recognize these outstanding teachers who have demonstrated some of the highest levels of dedication and passion for their students,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “As our Hawaii public school system continues to focus on prioritizing and accelerating student learning, we are grateful to have outstanding teachers in the classroom to help lead the way.”

The honored finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

TeacherComplex AreaSchoolSubject or Grade
Makena AleCastle-KahukuKahuku ElementaryKindergarten
Cornelio (CJ) AnchetaHana-Lahainaluna-Lanaʻi-
Molokaʻi
Lahainaluna HighMath
Chayanee BrooksKa‘ū-Keaʻau-PāhoaKaʻu High & Pahala ElementaryEnglish 
Malia DraperBaldwin-Kekaulike-MauiWaiheʻe ElementaryCurriculum Coordinator
Shelby Ann ErdmannKapaʻa-Kauaʻi-WaimeaWaimea HighEnglish and Special Education
Jared HaiolaLeilehua-Mililani-WaialuaHaleiwa ElementarySpecial Education and STEM
Michael IdaFarrington-Kaiser-KalaniKalani HighMath and Computer Science
Nuikala KoerteNānākuli-WaiʻanaeWaianae ElementaryKindergarten
Cerina LivaudaisPublic Charter SchoolsDreamhouse Ewa BeachScience and Computer Science
Leeann ManuelCampbell-KapoleiEwa Makai MiddleCurriculum Coordinator
Keevan MatsumotoKaimukī-McKinley-RooseveltKaimuki HighSpecial Education Student Services Coordinator
Joel MatsunagaHonoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-
Konawaena 
Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-
Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area
Health and Physical Education Resource Teacher
Daphne OkunagaPearl City-WaipahuPearl City HighMath and Business
Kristi TaiseHilo-WaiākeaHilo-Waiakea Complex AreaResource Teacher
Deanne TakenoKailua-KalāheoMaunawili ElementaryAcademic Coach
Cherie Teraoka‘Aiea-Moanalua-RadfordAliamanu MiddleCurriculum Coordinator

In October, one teacher will be announced as the 2023 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program. The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators.

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