Since 2006, Teach for America Hawai'i has worked in partnership with schools and communities to supp
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06/16/2026
Welina mai to some of Hawai’iʻs newest teachers: introducing the TFA Hawai’i 2026 Corps 🥳
Located on O’ahu and Hawai’i Island, this steadfast crew recently completed multiple days of induction, being grounded in ‘āina, culture, and kuleana. Now, they are in their summer practicum experiences, teaching summer school with the mentorship of TFA coaches & HIDOE teachers at their host school sites. 🤙🏼
06/08/2026
Wai’anae Elementary K-3 ‘Ohana: E hele mai kākou! Join us on Mon. June 15 at Wai’anae Public Library to continue your summer of reading 📚📖
ICYMI: Isaiah P**e ‘18 shared about his journey from Kamaile Academy student to teacher, now finishing his eighth year on staff at his alma mater. When he’s not on campus as an instructional coach, Kumu P**e leads E Ala Voyaging Academy, fulfilling his kuleana to provide next-gen leaders with the experience to be curious about themselves, about ʻāina, and to achieve their hopes and dreams.
We kāko’o what Isaiah shared: It takes a healthy village to raise a healthy child, and our children are ‘āina. It’s our kuleana to mālama ‘āina and each other through classroom and community. 🤎
06/05/2026
K-3 ‘Ohana: E hele mai kākou! Join us on Mon. June 15 at Wai’anae Public Library to continue your summer of reading 📚📖
05/29/2026
Hoʻomaikaʻi to TFA HI 2014 alum Kileigh Sanchez for being named Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area Teacher of the Year for 2026 🥳
Kileigh started her teaching career at Waiʻanae Intermediate as a social studies teacher and is still there 12 years later, now teaching art. 🎨
Mrs. Sanchez shared:
"I’m so grateful to my principal, John Wataoka, for helping me to grow into the educator I am today. I joined TFA in 2014 and never looked back - I love my school, our Wai’anae keiki, and I’m already looking forward to next school year!"
Mahalo, teachers! 🤙🏼
05/05/2026
Mahalo to everyone who joined us for our School’sCool Gala back in April 🍎 we honored our inaugural giving circle, Ka Lei Makana Makamae, caught up with old and new friends, and celebrated 20 years of service in Hawai’i 🤙🏼 Also, declared April 16, 2026 Teach for America Hawai’i day 🤩
Check out the link in our bio for event pics courtesy of 📸
ICYMI: Can you spot your school?! 📚Coach & her haumāna at used their geometry skills to create this beautiful quilt in celebration of our 20th anniversary 💛 We are so touched by this makana & proud of our Kama’āina corps members/alumni like Mercy on their full circle journey 🙏🏼
ICYMI: Our latest story features Executive Director Meilan Akaka Manfre (Hawaiʻi ’08) and Advisory Board Chair Emeritus Mitch D’Olier reflecting on our journey honoring the early champions and community partners whose support helped bring this vision to life, building a lasting movement for educational equity in Hawaiʻi that continues to grow today.
ICYMI: Principal Walje & Vice Principal Kwon of Wheeler Middle School say a long-standing partnership with Teach For America Hawaiʻi has helped the school build community and close learning gaps for a student population that sees frequent turnover.
Esther Kwon, vice principal and a TFA alumna, said the organization shaped her approach to mentorship and leadership. “Community is something TFA does so well,” Kwon said. New teachers at Wheeler need mentors, she said, and community-building among both students and teachers is critical, particularly given the school’s transient population.
Principal Kristin Walje said Wheeler was an early TFA partner and that the school’s focus on community-building was a direct response to the challenges of student and teacher turnover. “There is no time to waste for students, have to love hard and fast at Wheeler,” Walje said. She added that the same urgency applies to supporting incoming teachers.
Both Walje and Kwon said Wheeler’s connection to military-impacted families gives the school a responsibility to share Hawaiʻi with students and families who may not be on the island long-term. They said the ongoing influx of new educators brings fresh perspectives that continue to benefit the school.
Courtesy of staff
