A Kauai native passionate about education has a dream to open and be the director of a private charter school on the island’s Eastside. Deena Fontana Moraes returned to Kauai on Saturday from Brazil, where she has been teaching and
A Kauai native passionate about education has a dream to open and be the director of a private charter school on the island’s Eastside.
Deena Fontana Moraes returned to Kauai on Saturday from Brazil, where she has been teaching and raising her son. She’s following the footsteps of her mother, Fontana Natland, who taught for nearly 30 years, mostly on Kauai.
Moraes attended school at Kalaheo, Island School, Kahili Adventist and Kauai High School.
“All the teachers when I was growing up made me believe in myself,” she said.
Moraes is holding an informational meeting/spaghetti feed at 5:30 tonight at Breath of Life Church, 4303 Rice Street, Suite D1A, Lihue. She will be joined by iLead educational school founders Amber Raskin and Dawn Evenson, who will explain the school’s concept.
Originating in 2005, iLead’s curriculum educates students in mind, body and spirit through creativity, communication and problem solving.
If approved by the Hawaii State Charter School Commission, the initial enrollment will aim for between 150 and 200 students and at full capacity will offer K-8 grades for up to 300 students. A tentative goal is to open for the 2015-2016 school year.
After her international experiences teaching and studying, Moraes said there are children who are very bright who don’t fit in the box.
“Alternatives need to be offered for schools to more closely resemble the world that students live in and the reality that they will face in the future,” she said.
Information: www.ileadkauai.org
