Education

2019 Hawaii Catholic Teacher of the Year

June 25, 2019 by University Communications & Marketing

Ernest Mendoza notoriously puts his students first.

In his 27-year tenure for St. Anthony School in Maui, one of our sister Marianist institutions, he has impacted the lives of countless students. Whether it’s staying late to help a student on an assignment, inspiring students to find their faith in God or coming in on a weekend to fix things around campus, his legacy runs deep.

He was a natural choice for this year’s Teacher of the Year award, presented by Chaminade University and Hawaii Catholic Schools.

Ernest Mendoza accepting his check for Hawaii Catholic Schools teacher of the year

“When we looked at Mr. Mendoza’s commitment to his students and service to his school, and the incredible testimonials we received from his students, alumni and colleagues, it was clear he deserved this award,” says Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade University and member of the selection committee. “Mr. Mendoza exemplifies everything that this award stands for—a celebration of the effect teachers have on the lives of their students.”

Mendoza received the $1,000 award, made possible by the generous support of John and Mary Lou Brogan, at the annual Hawaii Catholic Schools Recognition Luncheon on May 22.

Our own Dr. Helen Turner, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and vice president of innovation at Chaminade University, was the event’s keynote speaker. She addressed the audience about innovation in Catholic schools.

A sincere thank you to Hawaii Catholic Schools for making these accolades possible. We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership.

Chaminade Grad Named Teacher of the Year

November 14, 2018 by University Communications & Marketing

Congratulations to Mathieu Williams ‘14 for being named the 2019 Hawaii Teacher of the Year. Williams is a visual media and technology teacher at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona who challenges his students to look inward and discover the individual they want to become.

“Media is such a great platform, but it’s all about building a brand,” says Williams. “I help my students understand that they all have their own brand and I ask them, ‘what are you going to be known for? Do you want to be known for kindness? Respect? Being dependable?’”

Williams started his teaching journey as a member of Teach for America right out of university. He didn’t know he wanted to be a teacher right away, but he fell in love with all that his students had to offer. He learns from them every day and loves helping his students see the world in a different light. “The moment we stop learning it’s a scary thing because we get complacent,” says Williams. “It’s not about teaching kids facts or subject matter, it’s about teaching kids how to learn and how to empathize and understand people and places.”

“Knowing that the future sits in front of you each and every day and that you have the ability to shape that future is a large responsibility,” says Williams. “I feel completely humbled by it.”

Mathieu graduated from the Chaminade Master of Education program with a specialization in educational leadership in 2014. “We are incredibly proud of Mathieu for achieving such a high honor,” says Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade. “This is a fantastic accomplishment and a well-deserved award.”

Chaminade Brings Lesson Into the Classroom for Teachers to Shine

May 15, 2018 by University Communications & Marketing

Melodie Tafao lives the saying “busy as a bee.”

She just earned her Master in Education (MEd) in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade University and also received the university’s prestigious “Outstanding Graduate” award. Her newly earned degree strengthens her role as a third grade teacher at St. Anthony School on Maui, where she’s been teaching for the past 11 years.

Educating her students while receiving her own education isn’t the only feat Tafao’s been tackling the past several years. She’s a wife to her husband, Mosi Tafao, and mother to Melia, 8, and Mosiah, 6. She also has a second career as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve, currently serving as commander for the 305^th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Honolulu.

“It was definitely a challenge juggling all of my obligations and commitments,” she says. “It took me five years to complete this degree, and I am very blessed to have a supportive husband, family and friends that were willing to help when I needed time to study or have sessions with my instructors on Maui.”

Chaminade made undertaking a graduate degree while continuing her careers and family commitments a reality for Tafao. Her education was made possible through the Gift of Marianist Education. She says that although she was initially reluctant to enroll in the program because her son was only one at the time, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“Chaminade University’s teaching program has helped me grow as a teacher,” she says. “The program and courses have taught me techniques, strategies and methods that help me to be an effective teacher. I’ve also learned some personal lessons throughout the program, like how to be more organized and prioritize and manage my time efficiently.”

Being based on Maui could have been a potential barrier to some seeking to further their education. But the program grouped other teachers from St. Anthony School into the same cohort. Together, the teachers learned big concepts in a small setting.

“One thing that stood out about the program was working with a small cohort of members from the same school community,” Tafao says. “Because of this closeness, I feel it made the program memorable and allowed me to gain a tremendous amount of insight while learning from instructors and fellow colleagues.”

Tafao says she really appreciated that the program allowed students to concurrently teach in their own classrooms, which made the assignments, discussions and research projects more practical.

“It wasn’t just another classroom environment where I read from education books and journals, had discussions and took exams,” she says. “It allowed me to apply what I learned, what was discussed and what I researched immediately with my students, my classroom and my school community.”

Tafao says she recommends this program to any teacher looking to strengthen their pedagogy.

“This type of cohort had a reasonable amount of online work and on-ground, face-to-face time with our instructors on Maui,” she says. “The courses were applicable in the classroom and taught me skills and techniques to be an effective teacher.”

Reflecting back on the entire experience, it was mostly positive. But as with life, there were obstacles and the hardest one was when her father passed away in May 2017 after battling cancer for three years. Tafao was taking her second to last course at the time and although it was difficult for her to stay focused while grieving his loss, she knew it’s what he would have wanted.

“I miss him dearly and wish he had been there to physically watch me receive this honor,” she says. “But I know he would have been proud.”

As Tafao continues teaching her students and serving in the military, she may not be done with her career goals yet.

“My most recent instructor, Dr. Hans Chun, mentioned a doctoral program,” Tafao said. “While I would like some time off, furthering my education and teaching skills through a state certification program and possibly a doctoral program may be in the future for me.”

The Master of Education program offers concentrations in Educational Leadership, which prepares candidates for administrative positions with an emphasis on K-12 schools; Instructional Leadership,which provides advanced knowledge of classroom practices for teachers and other educators not currently aspiring to become administrators; and Child Development, which offers advanced study of developmental theory, research and application.

Learning Never Stops

April 25, 2018 by University Communications & Marketing

Ken Kakesako’s professional life was a bit different years back when he was deputy director of Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture. Then, he spent his days at hearings and briefings advocating for agriculture issues. Now, the 36-year-old brings science alive to middle schoolers and is involved with after-school activities that enrich the educational experience.

When the desire to become a teacher hit Kakesako, Chaminade University made it easy for him to continue working while pursing his Master of Education. The program was appealing because he was able to continue to support his family by day and chip away at coursework in the evening.

In his first three years as a teacher at Stevenson Middle School, he’s been instilling his love of science in his students and founded the after-school wrestling club. He obtained a R.E.A.C.H. grant from the Lt. Governor’s office for $5,000 to fund wrestling and robotics and secured $30,000 for next year to go toward all clubs, including volleyball, ukulele and art.

He also worked with McKinley High School students to create ROOTS (Responsible Open-Minded Operations Through Science) at Stevenson and started a science Olympiad team. And if that wasn’t even to fill his plate, Kakesako also helped Chaminade with its accreditation process in by giving a student perspective as someone who had completed the program.

Colleagues and mentors were quick to recognize Kakesako’s enthusiasm and impact he has on his students. He was recently surprised during a weekly staff meeting with news that he was the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Milken Teacher of Promise Award. HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union sponsors the annual award, which recognizes teachers who excel early in their careers.

“It was a great surprise during the meeting,” he says. “I’m grateful to those that made it possible, I’ve had great teachers and mentors supporting me.”

Kakesako’s mentor and fellow science teacher, Julie Segawa, nominated him for the award and she has a history of mentoring teachers that stand out from the crowd. She mentored another Chaminade graduate, Ryan Kagami, who received the 2014 Milken Teacher of Promise Award.

When Kakesako reminisces about his time spent at Chaminade, mentorship sticks out in his mind. “The best part of my experience was the interaction with professors,” he says. “My mentor, Sheri Fitzgerald, helped me gain knowledge and insight while I was student-teaching.”

Path to finding his passion

Like many, Kakesako’s path to his where he stands today included many twists and turns. After graduating from ‘Iolani School, Kakesako left Hawaii and earned his bachelor’s in Economics from Harvard University.

He then spent just over five years working in Japan. First, he taught English to middle school students and then he was a recruiter for an investment banking company. When it came time to start a family, Kakesako knew he wanted his children to grow up around family and share similar experiences he had growing up in the islands. So it was time to come home.

Back in Hawaii, he worked for the state. He was a legislative administrator and budget analyst for Senator Russell Kokubun and then became the DOA’s legislative coordinator and deputy director.

But returning to teaching kept tugging at him. And when he looked at his options, he choose Chaminade because of the program’s flexibility and emphasize on learning in and out of the classroom. Now, Kakesako uses lessons he learned at Chaminade – like taking concepts taught in class out in the world to make them relevant to students.

“I love it when my students make connections between things they’ve learned to their own lives,” he says. “We recently had a lesson about the super blood moon and many of them went home and shared the information with their parents and were super jazzed when they watched it. Their excitement gives me energy.”

Kakesako brings a myriad of skills to room 208 at Stevenson through the various hats he’s worn. He uses his past experiences in sales to “sell” his lessons to students, knowledge gained from working in government to secure funding for his classroom and after-school clubs and he uses strategies learned at Chaminade to make learning relevant and exciting to his students.

And in the end, it’s those lessons learned in his life that leave the biggest mark.

“I want my students to become educated citizens and exercise critical thinking,” he says. “I teach them to be deeper thinkers and that learning never stops. I’m preparing them for jobs that don’t even exist yet and hope that I am setting them up for a lifetime of learning.”

If Teaching is Your Passion, Save Time and Money with Our New 4+1 Program

April 17, 2018 by University Communications & Marketing

Over the past decade there has been a consistent increase in the number of students enrolling in graduate programs. For some it is a requirement in their job field. For others, it is the desire to earn more money, those with master’s degrees earn on average 23 percent more than those with bachelor’s degrees. Others are just looking for a way to stand out from the crowd. No matter the reason, making the decision to pursue an advanced degree means committing to more school and paying more tuition. It also means delaying entry into the workforce.

Imagine being able to complete both your bachelor’s and your master’s in only five years. Our new 4+1 Program does just that. This new program offers students the opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s and their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in just five years. Meaning, students save on a year of tuition and can enter the job force sooner.

“Although many students desire to or consider pursuing an advanced degree, they are often put off by the idea of an extra two years of school. For many students the option may not even be financially feasible,” says Education Dean, Dr. Dale Fryxell. “However, thanks to accelerated programs, like our new 4+1 Program, more students are able to pursue advanced degrees.”

Normally, deciding to pursue your master’s means committing to an additional two years of school. Students will often decide to enter the job force before returning to school to obtain their M.A. or M.S. With an accelerated program, such as our New 4+1 Program, students are not only able to complete their education quicker and enter the workforce sooner; they are starting their careers better prepared than many of their colleagues.

“An advanced degree is an asset to any person entering the job force,” says President, Dr. Lynn Babington. “It’s a way to stand out amongst the rest.”

The 4+1 Program allows students to pursue their undergraduate degree in any field, as long as they minor in Education. Once a student completes their undergraduate studies with their education minor, they will be eligible to apply for the MAT graduate Program and, thanks to this accelerated program, graduate with their master’s after only one year.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is part of Chaminade’s Division of Education. MAT includes these state-approved licensure programs: Elementary Education with Licensure, Secondary Education with Licensure (with an emphasis in Math, Science, English or Social Studies), Special Education, and Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Chaminade’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs are accredited by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board. The Montessori Program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and affiliated with the American Montessori Society.

Alumna Schiller’s Smart Yields Agricultural Tech Firm Competing for Vatican-Blessed Accelerator Initiative

December 11, 2017 by University Communications & Marketing

Chaminade University alumna Elizabeth “Lizzy” Schiller ’14 and her team from Smart Yields, a Honolulu-based agricultural technology firm, presented a sales pitch in Rome Dec. 4 as the last step in being considered for a Vatican-blessed accelerator initiative.

Smart Yields is one of nine companies participating in the Laudato Si’ Challenge, which locates, funds and mentors startup companies in keeping with an encyclical from Pope Francis to develop sustainable ways of solving the global climate crisis by 2030.

This includes reimagining food production systems to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and guarantee food security for all.

Schiller, who earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership, co-founded Smart Yields in 2015 and serves as chief operations officer. The company designed a mobile app that uses electronic sensors, real-time monitoring, data analytics and digital agronomy to improve the crop production of farmers and indoor growers.

Joining Schiller for the sales pitch to Vatican dignitaries, government officials and international business leaders was Smart Yields Chief Agricultural Officer Michael Rogers.

“We believe access to nutritious food is a basic human right,” Rogers said. “We are building a community that grows and learns together using technology to create a future with enough food for all to live peacefully in a healthy environment.”

Chaminade’s Division of Education offers a Master of Education Program with concentrations in Educational Leadership, Teacher Leader, Instructional Leadership, Child Development and Montessori Emphasis.