
CJ Ancheta
- Island: Maui
- District: Maui
- Class: Math Teacher
- Years of Teaching: 7
- Field/Office: Lahainaluna High School
- Complex Area: Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lāna‘i-Moloka‘i Complex Area
- Home Town: Laoag, Philippines
What do you think is the Hawaii Department of Education’s greatest strength? The department promotes learning that goes beyond textbooks and incorporates real-world experiences. Hawaii, with its diverse language and culture, the department integrates the “Na Hopena A‘o” framework into the curriculum which fosters a strong sense of place and identity for all students.
What do you think is the greatest strength about the complex area that you work in?
With its unique structure consisting of the schools of Hana, Lahainaluna, Lanai, and Molokai, the complex leverages the natural beauty and cultural richness of each location to elevate student learning. Additionally, despite geographic separation, the complex collaborate programs and share its resources.
What are some fun activities that individuals enjoy doing outside school hours within the COMPLEX AREA that you represent?
The complex offers diverse fun activities that cater to the needs of the individual such as swimming and snorkeling on the pristine waters of Maui, biking along the slopes of Haleakala, discovering the rainforests of Hana, or simply beach hopping. If you are into cultural activities, you can learn about Hawaiian dances, songs, traditions, and crafts
What do you enjoy most about the students you teach in Hawaii?
The students are unique being that they come from diverse ethnic and language groups. I enjoy getting to know them by learning more about their cultural traditions, language, and values. This information would help me be more effective in meeting their learning needs. The students are coachable and have a sense of hunger for knowledge.
What do YOU enjoy doing in your free time while in Hawaii?
Most of the time after school, I enjoy tending my garden which relieves my stress and is a great way to wind up after a day of work. On weekends, I enjoy going to the beach, sit back, relax, and watch the gorgeous sunsets. During the whaling season, I like to do whale watching and marvel at these giant sea creatures doing their water stunts.
What’s YOUR favorite local food on your island? How would you describe the food?
Having lived in Hawaii for the past three decades, the Kahlua pig and pork laulau have been my favorites. The Kalua pig is a traditional Hawaiian preparation of pork by cooking the whole pig in an underground oven called imu. As the pig slowly cooks, it becomes succulent, fall-apart tender, and infused with rich earthy, and smoky flavor. For the laulau, the pork seasoned with salt is wrapped in taro leaves and steamed to perfection.
What’s your favorite place to eat on your island? What kind of food is it?
Depending on your tastes and preferences Maui offers a wide variety of places to eat out. When I crave local and Filipino food, I go to Tante’s Island Cuisine which offers delicious local food. They have Hawaiian BBQ ribs, mahi-mahi, adobo, oxtail soup, and kare-kare to name a few.