2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year finalists
2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year finalists
Every year the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education recognizes one outstanding teacher from each of our 15 complex areas and one charter school teacher of the year. An overall winner will be announced as the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year in October and go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program.
This year’s honorees are being recognized for their innovative approaches to cultivate high-quality environments of teaching and learning where students thrive. Their passion and dedication to student success helps to elevate our students, staff, schools and communities. Congratulations to all of these amazing teachers!
- Leah ʻAiwohi of Kauaʻi High (Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea complex area)
- Ian Cablay of Waialua High (Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area)
- Tennelle Clark of Waiʻanae Elementary (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae complex area)
- Lauren Collier of Kāneʻohe Elementary (Castle-Kahuku complex area)
- Robin Cone-Murakami Barros of The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS) (Public Charter Schools)
- Leah Gouker of Pāhoa High (Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa complex area)
- Nicole Laeha of Kailua Intermediate (Kailua-Kalāheo complex area)
- Karla “Viviana” Martinez of Konawaena High (Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena complex area)
- Jessie O’Neill-Prest of Kīhei Elementary (Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui complex area)
- Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko of Lahainaluna High (Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai complex area)
- Jonathan Peralto of Waiākea Intermediate (Hilo-Waiākea complex area)
- Jennifer Sato of Kūhiō Elementary (Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt complex area)
- Bryan Silver of Kalani High (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani complex area)
- Erin Takamura-Luu of Red Hill Elementary (‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area)
- Sherry Tenn of Waipahu High (Pearl City-Waipahu complex area)
- Kim Virtudazo of Campbell High (Campbell-Kapolei complex area)
