LIHU‘E — Althea Kalei Arinaga was one of seven teachers honored by the Hawai‘i State Board of Education and Department of Education Thursday, Oct. 7 on O‘ahu. Arinaga teaches fourth grade at Kapa‘a Elementary and was named as Kaua‘i’s District
LIHU‘E — Althea Kalei Arinaga was one of seven teachers honored by the Hawai‘i State Board of Education and Department of Education Thursday, Oct. 7 on O‘ahu.
Arinaga teaches fourth grade at Kapa‘a Elementary and was named as Kaua‘i’s District Teacher of the Year.
With gentle words of encouragement, Arinaga’s second-grade teacher inspired her to become an educator. After receiving a degree in education, she was determined to make a difference in the lives of children, a press release states.
At Kapa‘a Elementary, Arinaga’s dedication to student achievement extends far beyond the school’s boundaries and hours. By participating in community-service projects, her fourth-grade students learn to take care of the world by understanding where they live and by taking action in their own backyards and communities, said Bill Arakaki, state DOE Kaua‘i superintendent.
Arinaga believes when teachers look into the eyes of students they are looking into the future. “(Teachers) have the greatest gift, the opportunity to set the destiny for (their) island, state, country and the world,” she said.
