Ashley Fuerst, who holds a BEd in Elementary Education from the UH Mānoa College of Education (COE), was recognized on April 1st as the 2026 State Teacher of Promise, which is granted each year by the Milken Educators of Hawai‘i to a classroom teacher for their outstanding commitment and potential during their first three years of teaching.
“This is a powerful recognition for any educator, but for an agriculture teacher, it is an affirmation of the immense impact they have in shaping the future,” Fuerst said. “This award celebrates the dedication of teaching students life skills and shines a much-deserved spotlight on agriculture education, acknowledging its role in developing well-rounded, community-driven students who will shape Hawaiʻi’s future. This award is a testament to the passion, creativity, and hard work invested by the students, teachers, and community members who helped build this program from the ground up.”
An agriculture teacher at Kapolei Middle School, Fuerst earned a dual license in the COE Exceptional Students & Elementary Education (ESEE) program. Her journey in agriculture began after a professional development opportunity with Mālama Learning Center called Bringing Hawaiʻi Trees and Forests into Your Classroom.
“While teaching a health class at the time, I started creating nutrition lessons that could tie Hawaiʻi’s agriculture industry to my curriculum,” Fuerst said. “I was overjoyed when our new principal, Daryl Agena, doubled the electives at our school the next year, providing me with the opportunity to create an entire curriculum centered around Career Technical Education and ʻĀina-Based Education.”
Fuerst credits her degree in both general and special education with being the most invaluable toolkit in her teaching career. She says a disability and diversity class introduced her to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which had the biggest impact on her and has become central to her teaching philosophy.
“I’ve been able to create a class where students understand kuleana, sustainability, and stewardship in a very real, hands-on way,” Fuerst said. “Rather than memorizing facts, they are strengthening their understanding of science, history, and math by having to constantly utilize their problem-solving skills. Whether they’re building garden beds, maintaining aquaponics systems, constructing garden towers, or researching planting methods, there’s a place for every student to shine, regardless of their skill set.”
