3 Big Island educators named among finalists for Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year

Three educators on Hawai‘i Island are finalists for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.

A total of 15 complex area teachers were named finalists by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education this morning. In October, one teacher will be announced as the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program.

Big Island teachers are:

• Leah Gouker, a social studies teacher at Pāhoa High School
• Karla “Viviana” Martinez, an English language arts teacher at Konawaena High School
• Jonathan Peralto, a social studies teacher at Waiākea Intermediate

Educator of the Year is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 educators within the Hawai‘i Department of Education.

“Each of these educators utilize innovative approaches to cultivate high-quality environments of teaching and learning where students can thrive,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Their passion for teaching and unwavering dedication to student success inspire and elevate our students, staff, schools and communities.”

Click here for the full list of finalists.