WAIMEA – Ike Hawaii — culturally based teaching and learning — has been a core commitment at Waimea Middle School since becoming a public conversion charter school in 2003. In preparing for this new school year, WMS teachers and staff
WAIMEA – Ike Hawaii — culturally based teaching and learning — has been a core commitment at Waimea Middle School since becoming a public conversion charter school in 2003. In preparing for this new school year, WMS teachers and staff prioritized Ike Hawaii culturally relevant lessons and experiences as an even more meaningful strategy for harnessing student interest to ensure academic progress and college-career-community readiness.
To support this schoolwide commitment, Dr. Mahealani Yamashita, born in Kapaau to the revered 3-generation paniolo Kainoa ohana, has joined WMS as the new Ike Hawaii Resource Teacher. She brings a passionate belief and years of experience infusing culture-based education into science, math, language arts, social studies and technology.
Yamashita’s educational career spans over 20 years in public, private and charter schools, Kauai Community College and as an online professor. Her experience also includes creating and administering the Kokua Aina Youth Initiative at Kauai’s esteemed National Tropical Botanical Gardens. This youth education program focused on working with at-risk youth, engaging them in culturally based and project based environmental education to provide career pathways, life skills and counseling to become successful academically and socially.
At WMS, she is working with teachers and the community to create culturally relevant, academically rigorous STEAM curriculum (Science-Technology-Engineering-Aina/Arts-Math) to help students become more connected to their families, community and future.
Joining Yamashita in infusing ‘Ike Hawaii cultural lessons across the curriculum is Kumu Keala Kahuanui. She has been part of WMS’ ‘Ike Hawaii program for several years as a cultural practitioner, providing hands-on lessons in both classrooms and the Mala’ai school garden. Kumu Keala will continue to share her extensive knowledge about voyaging with students having served on crews for both the Makalii voyaging canoe and Hokulea on its current worldwide voyage. She is also one of the founders of what will be Waimea’s 11th annual Ka Moku O Keawe Makahiki Festival this January. Kumu Keala also will be assisting WMS math teachers in strengthening student skills.
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