Sheldon Konno

“To all the current and aspiring COE students, mahalo for choosing the most rewarding field to dedicate your professional (and personal) lives to.”

Hometown

Kalihi, Oʻahu

Departments

Educational Administration; Educational Psychology; School of Teacher Education - Elementary

Waiʻanae Elementary Principal Sheldon Konno honored with 2026 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award

Where do you work?
I am the principal at Waiʻanae Elementary School.

How did you become interested in the field of education?
Upon graduating from high school, I was offered an opportunity to work at my alma mater, Pacific Buddhist Academy and Hongwanji Mission School. I originally wanted to pursue a degree in political science, but through this opportunity, I found my passion for education.

What were your previous roles with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education?
Before becoming the principal of Waiʻanae Elementary School, I served as a vice principal, IRA teacher, and RTI teacher in the HIDOE. Before joining the HIDOE, I served in various roles at my alma mater, teaching elective courses, providing grade-level support/aide, and serving as a program coordinator.

How is the new school year going so far?
Each school year is different, and this school year is no exception. Our school has been really working hard to support student academics and whole-child supports continuously. Currently, we are serving approximately 530 students, but we projected serving only 425.

What are you most excited about this school year?
I am excited for the new opportunities, memories, and positive impact we can make in our students’ and community’s lives. As elementary school educators, we have the privilege and honor of spending the most time with our students. If a student enters our school as a preschooler (3 years old) and stays through 6th grade (12 years old), we have nine years to support the student and their family.

How has the COE program impacted or benefited your career path?
Throughout my work as an educator, I use what I learned in my three different programs daily. Whether I’m discussing with colleagues the importance of understanding our instructional approach based on various learning theories or making decisions as an administrator, the UH Mānoa COE provided a strong foundation to support this imperative work. Moreover, from my undergraduate years through my graduate programs, the COE has given me a strong professional network of other education professionals in Hawaiʻi.

What do you see as the most important priority for the future of education in Hawaiʻi?
As our HIDOE Superintendent messaged, we need to foster “globally competitive, locally committed” students. We need to examine and adapt as the future employment market evolves constantly.

What are your future plans?
I plan to continue serving in our public education system in Hawaiʻi so we can build a stronger and more prosperous tomorrow for our keiki.

Anything else you would like to include?
Mahalo nui loa to my fellow educators in the ECE, K–12, and post-secondary system for all their hard work. We are truly interconnected and dependent on each other to provide a continuum of support so our keiki and Hawaiʻi can thrive! To all the current and aspiring COE students, mahalo for choosing the most rewarding field to dedicate your professional (and personal) lives to. Ground yourself and be steadfast in your “why.”

Watch HI Now Daily segment with Konno: “Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow: The importance of attendance for back-to-school and student success”