Posted on: Monday, October 25, 2004

EDITORIAL
Thank you, teachers, for your hard work

In the past week, three teachers from Hawai'i's public schools received well-deserved honors for their hard work and dedication to our kids. These teachers and others like them throughout the state are proof that so many of our educators care enough to give their very best.

Kailua High School math teacher Winona Oato was the latest educator honored, scoring big with the state Department of Education's Teacher of the Year award.

Oato, who has been teaching math at the Kailua campus for 38 years, also mentors less experienced teachers. She sets high standards and inspires her students to reach those goals.

And she's been successful with her advanced students as well as with those who struggle.

Oato joins two other teachers who received similar recognition. Moanalua Elementary School's Katherine Nakamura and Kalaheo Elementary third-grade teacher Clyde Hashimoto both received the national Milken Family Foundation National Education Award, which recognizes some, the country's top educators.

To these teachers — and the many more who work hard each day to help give our children the education they richly deserve — thank you for keeping the best interest of Hawai'i's students at heart.