Jenn Yamaguchi
- Island: Oahu
- Class: 3rd Grade Teacher
- Years of Teaching: 9
- Field/Office: Pearl City Highlands Elementary School
- Complex Area: Pearl City Waipahu
- Home Town: ‘Aiea, Hawai‘i
- District: Leeward
What do you think is the Hawaii Department of Education’s greatest strength?
The Hawai‘i State Department of Education’s greatest strength is that, as a large statewide school district, there are many opportunities to network and learn with other teachers across the island and state. Since every teacher and school administrator follows the same initiatives the superintendent leads with, we share common goals while still bringing unique experiences and stories based on the complex area and school we work in.
What do you think is the greatest strength about the complex area that you work in? What is your complex area known for?
The greatest strength about the complex area that I work in is our collaborative work between each school level. All of us as elementary school teachers were able to visit the intermediate and high school in our complex to see how we can better prepare our students throughout their academy journey. Our complex area is known for exposing our students to career connected project-based learning opportunities. Many of these projects align with the pre-academy and academy pathways that the intermediate and high school students choose. This allows them to explore what they are interested in before they have to choose their pathway.
What makes your particular school or office special or distinctive?
What makes my school special is the collaborative culture my colleagues and I intentionally work to foster. We are also incredibly fortunate to have strong support from our families and a dedicated parent-teacher organization. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to purchase classroom supplies, teach in fully air-conditioned classrooms, and fund buses for field trips. In addition, my coworkers and I value staff bonding outside of the school day. These positive relationships not only make our work more enjoyable, but also help create a safe and supportive space during staff meetings.
What are two main challenges you face or teachers in general face as a educator in Hawaii?
One challenge educators in Hawai‘i face is balancing our pay with the high cost of living. I have colleagues who have part-time jobs or find value in working during the summer to earn extra income. We are lucky that we have the opportunity though to control some of the pay increases we receive by taking professional development classes and working our way up to the next class. Another challenge is the large class sizes. With a growing population especially in the newly developed communities, there are schools with a high enrollment. This leads to having a large class size and multiple classrooms within each grade. Having large class sizes means the need to differentiate instruction and intentionally plan our lessons is critical to ensure we reach every learner in our class.
What are the qualities that make a Hawaii State Department of Education teacher successful?
In the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, successful teachers are resilient, collaborative, inclusive, passionate, and culturally sensitive. They create welcoming classrooms where every learner feels valued and supported and they partner with families and community partners to help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers here in Hawai‘i really support each other and move together in partnership with many organizations and companies in the community to give our students real-world opportunities and experiences.
What words would you use to describe your students?
Our school’s learner dispositions (perseverance, curiosity, humility, the ability to embrace challenges, and self-awareness) describe who our students are as learners. They are also proactive, empathetic, and responsible leaders who set goals and put Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Effective People into practice through the Leader in Me curriculum.
What is unique and/or special about the school you work at? What do you enjoy most about teaching there?
We offer many activities that help our students grow as leaders, such as our anti-bullying committee, campus police officers, student ambassadors, and student council clubs. We also provide sports opportunities that nurture our students as athletes including basketball, track, archery, and pickleball. In addition, we value giving our students the opportunity to explore their interests through clubs like chess, math olympiad, media, robotics, and science. We believe in nurturing the whole child, so students also participate in Computer Science, Hula/Hawaiian Studies, PE, and Library classes twice a week. What I enjoy most about teaching at my school is the strong sense of family within our community. Many of my colleagues describe our school as a second home and the people we work with as our second family. We come together for events like Fall Fest, Winterfest, and Hōʻike. We also support one another when colleagues host their grade level family events. This culture is what makes our school community truly special.
What are some fun activities that individuals enjoy doing outside school hours within the COMPLEX AREA that you represent?
For those looking for shopping and dining options in Pearl City or Waipahu, there is Waikele Premium Outlets, Pearl Highlands Shopping Center, and Pearl City Gateway. Bowlers can enjoy Leeward Bowl in Pearl City, while golfers can visit Pearl at Kalauao, Ted Makalena Golf Course, or Waikele Country Club.
For outdoor activities, there are a few hiking trails in Pearl City and Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park (also known as CORP) is a great place for walking, bike riding, watching youth soccer, baseball, or flag football games people can go for walks at Central Oahu Regional Park (also known as CORP). Pickleball also has become increasingly popular in our community with several nearby courts available to play.
What are some fun activities that individuals enjoy doing outside school hours on the ISLAND that you work at?
Individuals can swim, snorkel, hike, sightsee, shop, and explore historical and cultural places. Popular places include Lanikai, Kualoa Ranch, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and kid-friendly places like Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Children’s Discovery Center, Keiki Kingdom, and Kids City.
What do you enjoy most about the students you teach in Hawaii?
One of the things I enjoy most about the students I teach in Hawai‘i is fostering a strong sense of belonging and community with them. I love seeing them work together and support one another as a class family, regardless of their backgrounds, because each student brings a unique and special story to share.
What do YOU enjoy doing in your free time while in Hawaii?
Hiking is definitely on the top of the list for me as far as a fun (and mostly free!) activity on O‘ahu. My go-to spots are Makapu’u Lighthouse and Manoa Falls. I also enjoy finding and trying new places to eat with my friends and family.
What’s YOUR favorite local food on your island? How would you describe the food?
I have many favorite local foods, depending on what I’m craving at the time. My go-to choices are chicken katsu, poke, and spam musubi. The food here is like a “mix plate” since you can find delicious dishes from many different cultures all in one place.
What’s your favorite place to eat on your island? What kind of food is it?
I don’t have just one favorite, but if I had to list a few it would be Ichiriki (Japanese food/hot pot), Zippy’s (local food), and Young’s Kalbee (Korean food).
What are some housing tips that you could recommend for teachers relocating to Hawaii?
My number one housing tip is to determine how much time teachers are willing to spend commuting to work. Teachers should consider whether they want to live close to their school or choose a location where they will be driving against rush hour traffic. Another tip is to be mindful of association and maintenance fees, as some areas have higher fees than others. It’s worth researching what those fees cover so teachers can budget accurately.
What advice would you give to a new teacher who wants to work in your complex for the Hawaii DOE in general?
I would say research is important. Many schools post their vision and mission and showcase what makes their school community special on their school website or social media platforms. I think you can get a lot of information based on what the school shares and the types of activities and programs they have. If a new teacher wants to work for the Hawai‘i DOE in general I would say that being part of this network of teachers is really special. I think having the opportunity to collaborate virtually during COVID with teachers I never met in person before really taught me that we have a very special culture of teachers who support one another and are passionate about the work we do together. There are so many ways that you can connect with colleagues outside of the school you work at, with the complex area you work in, and even across the state.