Teach For America Hawai'i

ICYMI: Isaiah P**e ‘18 shared about his journey from Kamaile Academy student to teacher, now finishing his eighth year on staff at his alma mater. When he’s not on campus as an instructional coach, Kumu P**e leads E Ala Voyaging Academy, fulfilling his kuleana to provide next-gen leaders with the experience to be curious about themselves, about ʻāina, and to achieve their hopes and dreams.

We kāko’o what Isaiah shared: It takes a healthy village to raise a healthy child, and our children are ‘āina. It’s our kuleana to mālama ‘āina and each other through classroom and community. 🤎

Mahalo, teachers! 🤙🏼

ICYMI: Can you spot your school?! 📚Coach & her haumāna at used their geometry skills to create this beautiful quilt in celebration of our 20th anniversary 💛 We are so touched by this makana & proud of our Kama’āina corps members/alumni like Mercy on their full circle journey 🙏🏼

ICYMI: Our latest story features Executive Director Meilan Akaka Manfre (Hawaiʻi ’08) and Advisory Board Chair Emeritus Mitch D’Olier reflecting on our journey honoring the early champions and community partners whose support helped bring this vision to life, building a lasting movement for educational equity in Hawaiʻi that continues to grow today.

ICYMI: Principal Walje & Vice Principal Kwon of Wheeler Middle School say a long-standing partnership with Teach For America Hawaiʻi has helped the school build community and close learning gaps for a student population that sees frequent turnover.

Esther Kwon, vice principal and a TFA alumna, said the organization shaped her approach to mentorship and leadership. “Community is something TFA does so well,” Kwon said. New teachers at Wheeler need mentors, she said, and community-building among both students and teachers is critical, particularly given the school’s transient population.

Principal Kristin Walje said Wheeler was an early TFA partner and that the school’s focus on community-building was a direct response to the challenges of student and teacher turnover. “There is no time to waste for students, have to love hard and fast at Wheeler,” Walje said. She added that the same urgency applies to supporting incoming teachers.

Both Walje and Kwon said Wheeler’s connection to military-impacted families gives the school a responsibility to share Hawaiʻi with students and families who may not be on the island long-term. They said the ongoing influx of new educators brings fresh perspectives that continue to benefit the school.

Courtesy of staff