HR218

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO was recently named the Hawaiʻi District Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area 2024 Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO has demonstrated a deep passion for teaching and learning while inspiring the students of Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School to strive for excellence; and

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO received a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in English from Mariano Marcos State University, College of Teacher Education in the Philippines and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Education, specializing in language and literature; and

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO has been serving the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education for nearly five years as an accomplished academic and educator; she is a Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Early Leadership Fellow and a member of the CARES (Culture, Advocacy, Respect, Equity, Support) pilot program; she also assisted the Human and Civil Rights Committee with the creation of a professional development course countering implicit bias, microaggressions, and stereotypes in Hawaiʻi schools; and

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO is committed to advancements in education as a member of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association English Language Learner Committee and is also an active member of the Hawaiʻi Association of Filipino Educators, where she advocates for students, families, and teachers among the Filipino community in Hawaiʻi; and

WHEREAS, PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO is a testament to the notion that insurmountable challenges faced by immigrants in Hawaiʻi can be overcome with a strong work ethic and dedication to one's passions and profession; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE was recently named the Hawaiʻi District Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area 2024 Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE has demonstrated a deep passion for teaching and learning while inspiring the students of Chiefess Kapiʻolani Elementary School to strive for excellence; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE began his ten-year educational career at Hōnaunau Elementary School before becoming a fifth grade teacher and the advisor for the Robotics Club at Chiefess Kapiʻolani Elementary School; he is passionate about providing culturally relevant education and elevating the voices of students; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE received his Bachelor of Science in business administration and international relations from SUNY Geneseo and his master's degree in elementary education from Johns Hopkins University; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE has been recognized for his dedication to his profession with multiple educational accolades, such as the 2021 National Educator Award for Outstanding Environmental Stewardship from the National Park Trust and a 2022 finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching; and

WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER PIKE credits his personal and professional success to his colleagues and family who inspire his mission to continue uplifting students through learning with adventure; he specifically acknowledges his mother, also an educator and his role model, who has shaped him into the passionate and dedicated educator he is today; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., has recently been named the Maui District Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex Area 2024 Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., has demonstrated a deep passion for teaching and learning while inspiring the students of Kaunakakai Elementary School to strive for excellence over the past 22 years; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., received a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Trinity Bible College and a master's degree in education in learning design and technology from the University of Hawaiʻi; he is a fifth grade teacher at his elementary alma mater as well as the school's computer science coordinator and math chairperson; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., has been an innovator in integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and computer science topics into his classroom, including robotics, rockets, computer-aided design, video editing, computer programming, 3D printing, and virtual/augmented reality; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., was awarded the Lesley and Pawel Czechowicz Award by the Maui Economic Development Board in 2019 for his exemplary leadership in STEM education and was also a finalist for the Burniske Outstanding LTEC Master's Project Award in 2021; and

WHEREAS, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., is a distinguished speaker and leader for innovative and novel approaches to teaching; he has presented at the Schools of the Future Conference, EdTech Innovations Virtual Conference, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Tri-Level Complex Computer Science meetings, and Hawaiʻi STEM Conference hosted by the Maui Economic Development Board; and

WHEREAS, KARA KITAMURA has recently been named the Kauaʻi District Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area 2024 Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, KARA KITAMURA has demonstrated a deep passion for teaching and learning while inspiring the students of Kapaʻa High School to strive for excellence; and

WHEREAS, KARA KITAMURA has been a dedicated educator for 26 years and is a distinguished National Board Certified science and technical education teacher; she received her National Board Certification and bachelor's degree in education from the University of Hawaiʻi and master's degree in education from National University; and

WHEREAS, KARA KITAMURA has played an instrumental role in the development and trajectory of Kapaʻa High School's health academy since 2011 by teaching 10th-12th grade students advanced health, nursing, emergency medicine, and diagnostics; and

WHEREAS, an avid leader and mentor in the community, KARA KITAMURA is the advisor for Kapaʻa High School's HOSA-Future Health Professionals club and National Honor Society; she also coaches swimming, cross country, and track; and

WHEREAS, KARA KITAMURA has received multiple awards that highlight her accomplishments throughout her career, including the 2000 Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2004 Swim Coach of the Year, 2013 Kapaʻa High Outstanding Educator, and 2022 State of Hawaiʻi HOSA Advisor of the Year; and

WHEREAS, BRITTNIE CARAULIA has recently been named the American School Counselor Association's 2023 Hawaiʻi School Counselor of the Year; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated advocate for personal development and education, BRITTNIE CARAULIA graduated with distinction from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling psychology; and

WHEREAS, creating a strong foundation for growth within the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, BRITTNIE CARAULIA has played a pivotal role in establishing a robust Multi-Tiered System of Supports and school counseling program at Helemano Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, as a devoted school counselor since 2015, BRITTNIE CARAULIA has spearheaded transformative initiatives, notably in implementing social and emotional learning programs, resulting in significant improvements to student safety and enhanced emotional well-being among students; and

WHEREAS, driven by a commitment to community betterment, BRITTNIE CARAULIA shares her expertise with schools statewide, contributing to state trainings and maintaining membership in the American School Counselor Association and Hawaiʻi School Counselor Association; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, Regular Session of 2024, that this body hereby congratulates PINKY GRACE C. FRANCISCO, CHRISTOPHER PIKE, DAVID "KAWIKA" GONZALES JR., and KARA KITAMURA for their outstanding accomplishments as 2024 Teachers of the Year, commends BRITTNIE CARAULIA for her much-deserved recognition as the 2023 Hawaiʻi School Counselor of the Year, and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

2024 Teachers of the Year for School Complex Areas in the Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi Districts; 2023 Hawaiʻi School Counselor of the Year

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	218
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII