Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth
After an extensive search spanning two years, involving students, parents, faculty, staff and campus leadership, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi has announced that Dr. Tehani Day has officially assumed the role of kula waena poʻo kumu (middle school principal).
Day had stepped into the interim position last summer, and has been credited with harnessing the strengths of her leadership team, faculty and staff to elevate the kula waena program and experience for KS Hawaiʻi students.
Day has been a member of the KS Hawaiʻi ʻohana since 2011, first serving as an 8th grade teacher and advisor and then an instructional evaluator, interim curriculum and assessment coordinator and most recently, interim poʻo kumu.
KS Hawaiʻi hope poʻo kula Scott De Sa noted the work Day and the kula waena ʻohana has done with interdisciplinary teaching and learning and a new daily schedule they are piloting the schedule for the 2018-2019 school year.
“Dr. Day has a deep commitment and passion for ʻŌiwi Edge teaching and learning and the experience and growth mindset to lead our kula waena program going forward,” said De Sa and poʻo kula Kāhealani Naeʻole-Wong in a letter to staff.
“From the onset, Dr. Day’s strong pedagogy, valuable experiences as an educator, commitment to excellence and deep aloha for teaching and culture were blessings she brought to our kula waena ʻohana. As a kumu, her infectious personality, witty instructional style and ability to implement relevant learning experiences won the hearts of her students. She was able to transfer those same qualities to her role as an instructional evaluator where Dr. Day coached her colleagues, helping them to uncover their strengths and passion for new learning.”
Day is a national board-certified teacher in English language arts for early adolescence. She received her Doctor of Philosophy in advanced classroom instruction from Capella University, her Master of Arts in teaching from Grand Canyon University and her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Brigham Young University – Hawai‘i in Lāie. She grew up in Puna and graduated from Waiākea High School.
“I’m excited to continue serving, shoulder to shoulder, with the most awesome kumu on the planet, because I truly believe in the mission and vision of Kamehameha Schools, and will push forward in any and every capacity to fulfill it,” said Day.
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ks hawaii,middle school,sp2020 goal 1,kula waena,faculty staff, 'ōiwi edge
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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, East Hawai’i, Themes, Leadership, KS Organization, Hawaii Newsroom, KS Hawaii Home, Hawaii Middle School, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Hawaii
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