Three Big Island educators recognized for commitment to students, contributions to school communities
Three Big Island educators are among 16 recognized as Hawaiʻi’s 2027 Complex Area and Charter School Teachers of the Year.
Student services coordinator Haley Agbayani from Pāhoa Elementary, special education teacher Matthew Moustakas from Kealakehe Intermediate, and curriculum and Title I coordinator Adam Tuifagu from Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary may be announced as the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year during a ceremony on Sept. 21 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu.
The teacher selected will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National Teacher of the Year ceremony in Washington, D.C.
In addition to representing Hawaiʻi nationally, the state Teacher of the Year will work with educational leaders to promote excellence in the teaching profession and support Hawaiʻi’s public schools, according to a news release from the Hawaiʻi Department of Education.
Agbayani has been at Pāhoa Elementary in her current role for three years, and with the state Department of Education for 13 years total. For her, the best part of working as a student services coordinator is facilitating change at the school-wide level to bolster student support and providing teachers with professional support.
“My goal in education is to help change the trajectory for the future of students that I have the privilege of interacting with and guiding them to meaningful learning opportunities, experiences and support by intentionally working to change the world one student at a time,” Agbayani said. “While it is not always immediate, it is rewarding to see forward change, progress and success for the betterment of our campus and community.”
Moustakas has been in his role at Kealakehe Intermediate for three years, the same amount of time he has been with the state Department of Education. His decision to become a special education teacher was inspired by his youngest brother who struggled as a student with severe learning disabilities.
“The students I work with have the capacity to grow and learn, but have not had the support that they need to succeed. I get to provide that support,” Moustakas said. “I love the moments where I get to see students who have struggled to succeed break the cycle of learning stagnancy and gain confidence in their own abilities.”
Tuifagu has worked in his current role at Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary for nine years and has been with the state Department of Education for 15 years. In his role as curriculum and Title I coordinator, he gets to know most of the students in the school.
“I was fortunate to be the student of great teachers and coaches. It is because of those influential and impactful adults that I do what I do. I cannot pay them back, so I pay it forward,” Tuifagu said. “Students are the reason we do what we do, so getting to see the wide range of all the students is something I enjoy and might not have if I were in a different position.”
The Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educators from a statewide teaching workforce of more than 13,000. The recognition highlights the extraordinary work of Hawaiʻi’s educators and the vital role teachers play in inspiring students, strengthening schools, and shaping the future of Hawaiʻi.
Click here to learn more about all the teachers recognized statewide.
