Kimiko Maeda-Leon, who earned her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, is the $500 grand prize winner of the Classroom Makeover Contest, co-sponsored by Fisher Hawaiʻi and the College of Education. Second place went to Juliet Bayez-Ballesteros while third place went to Liliana Kubo with $100 Fisher Hawaiʻi gift certificates.
“This award means so much to me as a new teacher!” Maeda-Leon said. “It was a huge confidence-booster. Having a meaningful and flexible classroom is an important aspect of my teaching, and I am so grateful that this award will help me with that.”
An English teacher at the Princess Ruth Ke’elikōlani Middle School, Maeda-Leon says she plans to purchase whiteboards, markers, and other organizational supplies. In her essay submission, she wrote about how setting a secure and respectful learning environment is crucial to the student-teacher relationship and student success.
“I strive to make my classroom a space of intellectual safety and of critical thinking and reflection, just like my mentor,” Maeda-Leon wrote. “I am incredibly grateful for Fisher Hawaiʻi and UH Mānoa for providing me this opportunity. I will try my absolute best to support my students in their learning, and I will continue to help them reach new heights!”
Bayez-Ballesteros, who holds a BEd in Special Education, said, “Thank you for recognizing my vision of creating a preschool classroom that feels like a child’s first home–one that nurtures curiosity, belonging, and joy in learning. This award is deeply meaningful to me as a new educator. It reaffirms my passion for building a warm and supportive environment for our youngest learners and inspires me to continue growing as a teacher.”
Citing how teachers often spend their own money to provide resources and materials for their students, Bayez-Ballesteros expressed her gratitude to Derrick Isono, business development manager for Fisher Hawaiʻi, for helping her to create an engaging and supportive classroom.
“It means a great deal to know that the importance of creating a thoughtful learning environment resonated with the College of Education voting committee,” said Kubo who earned a BEd in Exceptional Students & Elementary Education. “I must also take a moment to thank Mr. Derrick Isono. Mahalo nui for your incredible generosity!! The flexibility of the $100 gift card will allow me to purchase manipulatives and resources that will support the diverse learning needs of my haumana. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making this contest possible and for your support of new educators.”
Check out the KITV news story.
