"...every special education student deserves to be taught by a passionate, highly qualified teacher"

Department

Special Education

Related Degrees

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PBSPED)

Sean Witwer has diligently served the Kalihi community for the past 24 years and is a special education math teacher of students with mild to moderate disabilities at Farrington High School. He is passionate about raising student achievement for special needs students and creating transformation within our schools. In 2019 and 2020, he and his students were featured on Hawaii News Now and in Midweek Magazine. In 2020 he became a member of the Speducator Project. In 2021, together with senior Nicole-Dolor Bala, he successfully passed HB1291, a bill giving access to the UH Scholars Program for students with special needs. He is HSTA’s 2021 Pono Award winner. After mentoring special education teachers for the past four years, he became a member of Project Equal Access with UH Manoa. He has also spoken on special education topics at the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation annual banquet, the Model Schools Conference in Washington, DC, and here in Hawaii.

Message to Teacher Candidate

Welcome, new Teacher Candidate.

It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of your educational journey.

I began teaching nearly 24 years ago, out of a sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of young teenagers. While in high school, my parents moved to the mainland and I became a boarder at the Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama campus. Men like Mr. Farm gave me help, support, and guidance while I was away from family, during my formative years, and it was a dream to give back in a similar capacity.

I began mentoring teachers four years ago, at first on a whim, but have continued to do so seeing what a huge, positive impact I can make on education.

I look forward to giving you something I didn’t have, when I began my teaching journey in special education. Let’s create a brighter future for the next generation.