19 gain national school certification

By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer

In just one year, Hawai'i has tripled its number of nationally certified public school teachers.

Nineteen teachers and librarians earned the nation's top teaching credential in the class of 2002, giving the state Department of Education 25 nationally certified professionals.

One school — Waialua Elementary — has had one teacher earn certification each of the past three years. Teachers Kalen Kitagawa, Lisa Yanase and Jill Hirota have all earned early childhood/generalist certificates.

With a new pay bonus worth up to $50,000 and a community support system in place, Hawai'i teachers in increasing numbers have signed on for the journey to national accreditation.

Superintendent Pat Hamamoto congratulated the 19 new certified professionals.

"Theirs is an immense personal achievement that greatly benefits our students and schools while strengthening and elevating the teaching profession," Hamamoto said.

In the past two years the state has had just seven public-school teachers out of 13,000 achieve national accreditation, and one of those has since left Hawai'i. But more teachers are making inquiries into the application and testing process now.

It's an increase in volume that education leaders attribute to the financial incentives, the establishment of workshops and — importantly — a partial reimbursement of the $2,300 testing fees.

National certification is often likened to the legal profession's bar exam. The application process takes one year, during which teachers must pass four two-hour exams and submit an extensive portfolio.

Under the latest teacher contract, teachers who earn such certification are eligible for a $5,000 annual bonus for each year of their certificate's 10-year duration.

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certified 7,886 teachers in its class of 2002, bringing the nationwide total to 23,930.

Here is the list of Hawai'i's newest group of nationally certified teachers: Carla Clark Brooks, Roosevelt High; Dewey Gottlieb II, Pearl City High; Jamie Carol Hamada, Barbers Point Elementary; Leslie Keiko Hamasaki, Kalani High; Sandra Kaneshiro, Central Middle.

Also, Kalen Kitagawa, Waialua Elementary; Patricia Miyahira, Momilani Elementary; Jami Muranaka, Kaimuki High; Kathleen Nagaji, Pearl Ridge Elementary; Pascale Pinner, Hilo Intermediate.

Also, Jenny Wells, Windward District resource teacher; and Julia Williams, Mountain View Elementary.

Here is the list of Hawai'i's newest group of nationally certified librarians: Rena Arakawa, Ka'ahumanu Elementary; Loraine Hotoke, Liholiho Elementary; Carolyn Kirio, Kapolei High; Sandra Maruyama, Leilehua High; Karen Muronaga, Lincoln Elementary; Julie Tomomitsu, Ma'ema'e Elementary; and Anne Torige, Kaimuki High.