Ridge Ono, who earned a BEd in Secondary Education and Graduate Certificate in Multilingual Multicultural Professional Practice (MMPP) from the UH Mānoa College of Education (COE), is the Milken Teacher of Promise for the Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area.

“We are incredibly proud of Ridge!” said Professor Patricia Espiritu Halagao, MMPP Program Director. “He demonstrates a deep commitment to his students and consistently brings innovative, out-of-the-box thinking to his work. During his time in our MMPP/TESOL Add-a-Field Licensure program, he thoughtfully engaged with the intersections of math, language, culture, and equity, modeling the transformative practice this recognition celebrates in our teachers.”

Ono is a sixth grade math and PE teacher at William P. Jarrett Middle School where he attended as a student. Before becoming a math teacher, he taught social studies and coding. He also serves as the school’s intramural’s coordinator and head wrestling coach.

“I greatly appreciate this earned award and recognition of my ʻextraordinary workʻ,” Ono said. “To me, this complex area award is great, but it serves as motivation for me to become a state winner and work harder to make my school and community a better place.”

Ono says that teaching is an art and way of life for him rather than just a job.

“I have always been much more patient with and understanding of students and their struggles,” Ono said. “I wanted to become an educator because I believe everyone should do something that makes them successful while benefitting others, and the best way for me to contribute and fulfill those goals is by teaching.”

Expressing his gratitude for the staff at Jarrett Middle School, Ono paid tribute to the many teachers throughout his schooling career, including those at Ali‘iōlani Elementary School, Kalani High School, and the College of Education.

“My family has also been a huge influence as parenting and sibling interactions are basically diverse forms of teaching.”