LIHUE — Kilauea Elementary School special education teacher Michael Kline was awarded with the Hawaii State Teacher Association’s S.T.A.C.Y. Award for Teaching Excellence. The award exemplifies scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community and youth. Kline is a special education preschool teacher and
LIHUE — Kilauea Elementary School special education teacher Michael Kline was awarded with the Hawaii State Teacher Association’s S.T.A.C.Y. Award for Teaching Excellence.
The award exemplifies scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community and youth.
Kline is a special education preschool teacher and chair of the Special Education Department at Kilauea Elementary.
“I love these kids and feel honored to be their first teacher in a school setting,” Kline said. “I have become the teacher leader I am today only because of the teacher leaders who have mentored and supported me in countless ways.”
HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said in a statement that Kline is a “leader both inside and outside the classroom. We salute his tireless work to help students and teachers.”
Kline serves as vice president and secretary of HSTA’s Kauai Chapter.
“Mike has a gentle heart and voice, but he is a strong advocate for students, teachers and the voiceless,” said Jeri Yamagata, HSTA’s Kauai Chapter president.
HSTA named the S.T.A.C.Y. award after the late Stacy Nishina, a teacher leader and beloved HSTA staff member.
“I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful union as HSTA and of our power together as teachers in shaping and supporting teacher leaders like myself to positively impact their students, schools, communities and state,” Kline said.
