KOLOA — After starting her career in education last year, Koloa Elementary School teacher Claire Hirota this week became the National Milken Educators of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i Complex Area Teacher of Promise. Erik Burkman, principal of Kalaheo School where Hirota taught
KOLOA — After starting her career in education last year, Koloa Elementary School teacher Claire Hirota this week became the National Milken Educators of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i Complex Area Teacher of Promise.
Erik Burkman, principal of Kalaheo School where Hirota taught last year, joined Cheryl Shintani, president of the National Milken Educators of Hawai‘i, and William Arakaki, the Kaua‘i Complex Area superintendent, in making the announcement before a special school assembly Friday.
Shintani said a Milken Teacher of Promise recognizes Hawai‘i’s outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers who have just begun their careers.
For her honor as the Kaua‘i selection, Hirota received $100 from the National Milken Educators of Hawai‘i corporate sponsor, the Hawai‘i USA Federal Credit Union.
In addition to being congratulated by Debbie Lindsey, the Koloa Elementary School principal, Hirota was surprised by the appearance of her family who joined the Koloa school staff and students in congratulating her.
Shintani said Hirota was selected after the team of Milken Educators reviewed the nominations from each complex area in the state, assessing them on how well they teach, how well their students learn, and how much the teacher themselves learn.
