Three Cheers for Teachers!

By Kezia Burgoyne

Happy graduation season! From in-person to virtual to hybrid school and back around again, this year has been . . . unexpected. As a current high
school senior, I admire the people behind the shining faces of graduates: the inspirers, the innovators, the educators – the teachers. Teachers are handsdown some of the most fantastic members of the North Shore community, and have paved the way for students to succeed despite unprecedented circumstances. Below are the stories of two fantastic North Shore teachers, representing a multitude of educators who have adapted to pandemic-teaching with astounding wisdom and resilience.

Michelle Cazimero, head of the math department at Waialua High School, described the initial shock of her first all-virtual classroom as “rough to say the least.” Despite this, Cazimero powered through this school year like a pro. She describes, “In the life of a teacher who really cares . . . it’s all about sucking it up, adapting, and going into overdrive to learn what you can to prepare for the first day, then the second, the third, and . . . so on and
so forth all while dynamics continue to change.” Cazimero cares about her students beyond what is taught in the classroom, and reports, “The most
rewarding part about being a teacher is . . . making connections, seeing my students’ growth over the years, and knowing that they will be OK once they get out into the real world.” As a champion of setbacks and unexpectedness herself, Cazimero encourages graduating classes to “keep on keeping on no matter how tough situations can be and you will be just fine. It’s the tough challenges in life that always make us stronger and better equipped to become positive, contributing members of society.”

Kaleolani Hanohano, a social studies teacher at Kahuku High School, has adapted to the pandemic with grace and foresight. She reports, “I was concerned already [about the pandemic] in November. . . [In mid February,] I was already planning curriculum.” Because of her foresight and ability to adapt, Hanohano co-developed the Kupa‘a Collective, a
curriculum that empowers “Hawaii’s communities for bright, healthy, and resilient tomorrows.” This curriculum is now used across schools statewide. Hanohano describes her role as a teacher as “very sacred because [students] are . . . going to be future leaders – future mothers and fathers – of our community.” She continues, “My aim is to make my haumana – my students – the experts. So when they go home they champion whatever position that they and their families are in.”

This graduation season, I, along with the class of 2021, am grateful for teachers across the North Shore and beyond who have conquered this school year with amazing strength and resilience. According to current high school senior Emma O’Leary,

“Teachers who push through [challenges show] how strong of a people they are. And it is important to the kids; It shows that they’re not going to let.

[setbacks]

get to them.”
Teachers, your work is important, valued, and
appreciated. Because of you, the class of 2021 is wiser,
more resilient, and better prepared to face life’s
challenges. Congratulations!