Academy of Pacific educator earns honor
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
When the state Legislature honored educator Dorothy Douthit yesterday, more than a few folks showed up to join the celebration.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
The entire Academy of the Pacific — student body, faculty, board of trustees, parents and well-wishers, more than 300 people in all — packed the Senate gallery.
Dorothy Douthit, retiring as head of the Academy of the Pacific, was honored at the state Senate yesterday. Student body president Maria Burke, right, said Douthit's influence has made her want to be a teacher.
After three decades as the driving force at the academy — a small private preparatory school in 'Alewa Heights that teaches 150 students in grades 6 through 12 — Douthit has announced she's leaving in June.
"Dr. D is retiring this year in June after 29 years as Head of School at the Academy of the Pacific," Sen. Bob Hogue, R-24th (Kailua, Kane'ohe), told the chamber. "She has been one of the longest serving heads of schools in the nation."
Hogue, whose son is a freshman at the academy, called Douthit a "visionary and a leader." He said in nearly 30 years she has established what has become known as the "school of second chance" for challenged students or those who don't fit in with traditional education systems.
One such student is senior Maria Burke, 17, student council president. Burke, a former Punahou student, said she arrived at the academy two years ago with an attitude and a problem in dealing with authority.
"Any kind of an authority figure was not to be trusted," said Burke, who described Douthit as "someone who honestly recognizes the importance of an individualistic education for children."
She said Douthit was able to melt her indifference.
"She would always extend a hand," said Burke. "Always. And at some point you learn that this is a person who really cares."
Burke, who went from a 1.6 grade point average at Punahou to a 4.2 at the academy, has been so inspired by Douthit and the other teachers at the academy that she plans to become a teacher herself.
Derrick Niide, who teaches English and art at the academy, said Douthit's influence has fostered an atmosphere of 'ohana. He likened the school to a family that not only respects and cares about one another, but is tolerant of each other's differences.
When he met Douthit three years ago, Niide said he was immediately taken with her philosophy of teaching.
"It's that students have their own individualities," he said. "And the goal is to help make each one a positive, contributing member of society."
Douthit, 66, was obviously pleased with the recognition, although she didn't seem sure what to make of all the fuss.
"I'm totally overwhelmed," she said as she accepted hugs from students and posed for photos as she left the Capitol. "This does not even seem real."
She said she plans to do some traveling, beginning with India. Eventually, she said she wants to return to what she knows best: teaching.
"Being an administrator is not that much fun," she said. "I think I want to teach teachers. Hawai'i Pacific University is starting an education department. I've talked a little bit with them. Or, there's the University of Phoenix. Or the University of Hawai'i.
"But I can't quit teaching. Just occasionally — not a full time thing."
Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
