The UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) is proud of all of the amazing educators who have been named Hawaiʻi 2027 Teachers of the Year. Congratulations to this year’s state winner, Chu Hong.
The COE alumni who won Complex Area Teacher of the Year for their respective complex area schools include Chad Shishido, Shawn-Patrick “Keola” Kalani, Troy “Leven” Abshire Jr., Cherzerae Lurbe, Keao Cockett, and Paul Dela Balazs.
Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area
Shishido, who earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, has been an educator at Pearl City High School for 19 years. He taught science for 15 years before becoming the school’s Academy Coordinator. In this role, he supports the career academies through work-based learning opportunities and partnerships with institutes of higher education, businesses, and the greater Pearl City community.
“The College of Education helped provide the foundation for a career that I never imagined would lead me to where I am today,” Shishido said. “I worked as a lab technician before eventually pursuing teaching through the COE. One of the most meaningful parts of my COE experience was having the opportunity to student teach at Pearl City High School, which would eventually become my professional home. The preparation I received at the COE showed me that teaching is ultimately about relationships and helping students see possibilities for their future.”
ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area
A Hawaiian Language and hula teacher at ʻAiea High School, Kalani also earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, specializing in Hawaiian Language, as well as a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies in Aloha ʻĀina Education and Leadership Development
“The COE provided a strong network of professionals who continually motivate me to seek higher education,” Kalani said. “There is a comforting factor in knowing that the people at the COE are willing to walk with me side-by-side during the process of earning a PhD. The professors are genuine and trustworthy, which is also a great comfort to me.”
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area
Abshire, who teaches physical education at Makawao Elementary School on Maui, holds a Master of Science in Adaptive Physical Education.
“The Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science helped me by supporting my continuing education during my master’s program with Dr. Nathan Murata’s grant to help PE teachers return for a master’s degree in Adapted Physical Education as well as a CAPE certification to help teach students with different abilities.”
Castle-Kahuku Complex Area
A sixth grade teacher at Kaʻaʻawa Elementary, Lurbe earned her Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. She credits the COE with helping her to gain real classroom experience with veteran teachers across grade levels and to create lifelong friendships with peers from her cohort.
Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area
Cockett, who earned a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education, has worked in the HIDOE for more than two decades. He is currently the Aviation Pathways Instructor at ʻEwa Makai Middle School, serving the entire complex area.
“I’ve been teaching for 22 years, and a lot has changed in the world since I was in the College Of Education (cellphones, pandemic, AI),” Cockett said. “I would like to help the next generation of educators by mentoring teacher candidates.”
Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area
Since 2013, Balazs has worked at Kaiser High School, first as an English Language Arts teacher before becoming the Student Activities Coordinator. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies, he and was a 2016 Milken Educator Teacher of Promise.
