Meet our kumu: Michael Oliver — Elevating student voices through English language arts

May 5, 2025

At Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha, our kumu dedicate themselves to shaping the next generation of ʻōiwi leaders. For Kumu Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of their efforts to help our haumāna grow, ensuring a bright future for our lāhui.

Meet Michael Oliver, KS Maui

What inspired you to become a kumu?
I became an educator because I was interested in the ‘hidden curriculum’ — the affective domain — the stuff that is difficult to measure: values, beliefs, emotions, etc. When I was a high school student, there were no adults on campus with whom I felt safe to confide and I didn’t feel comfortable touching upon certain subjects at home either. I became an educator — specifically a high school English language arts teacher — so that I could have adult-ish conversations with my students on a range of topics. English language arts provides opportunities for a range of conversations about a variety of reading and viewing materials and current events. I wanted to be that adult advocate for those who felt invisible, misunderstood, misrepresented, insecure, unsure, unworthy, or disenfranchised. I wanted to be a champion for the ‘underdog’ so-to-speak. And I wanted to empower others. That hasn’t changed.

Tell us about a time you saw your haumāna use what they’ve learned to make a difference. What did that mean to you?
As a kumu, I teach reading, writing, communicating, and thinking. I’ve seen former students go on to become songwriters, trial lawyers, politicians, clergy, actors, comedians and professors among many other careers that highlight the usage of language. Fantastic!

However, the thing that moves me the most is when I see a former student pursue a career as a classroom teacher. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they chose this profession because of me or anything that I personally did, but it likely means that WE — collectively as a school and as a professional ʻohana — made a positive impact on this person’s life. They reaped the benefits of our combined efforts, recognized our joy in the journey, and now want to be a part of this most rewarding profession and environment. They want to make a difference in their community, too. Nothing could be more validating!

What’s one lesson you hope your haumāna carry forward?
Believe in and enjoy YOUR journey. A dream that seems impossible is usually comprised of dozens of smaller, achievable goals that can be tackled one step at a time. You are capable; go for it! Plan, execute, reflect, revise, repeat. Try to enjoy the journey — YOUR journey. While doing so, there’s no need to compare yourself to others as there will always be lesser and greater persons than yourself.

What’s your advice for new kumu embracing this kuleana?
Realize that teaching is a profession and not merely a job. Realize that this profession is a lifestyle. You will be thinking, planning, worrying, and dreaming about your students and your role 24/7. You will be representing your school and your profession even when class is not in session. If you are embracing this kuleana, then you already know that it’s not about you; you are a servant to others and you are part of a team.

Be yourself: There’s a student in your classroom who needs to see themselves in you.
Be empathetic and flexible: Your haumāna have full lives, too.
Be a lifelong learner yourself.

Shout out a fellow kumu who empowers their haumāna every day!
Noelani Yatsushiro! She ensures that her haumāna are ‘seen’ and that they know she cares. She seeks professional development opportunities with the intention of connecting better with her students and maximizing her impact. Her enthusiastic love of learning is contagious!