HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	290
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Congratulating Bebi Davis as the 2009 Hawaii State teacher of the year, and Glenn Lee, Peggy Ann Pavao, Ramona Takahashi, John Constaninou, Roberta Kokx, and Mary Lardizabal as the 2009 Hawaii state district teachers of the year.

     WHEREAS, in light of the important role the public education system plays in solidifying Hawaii's future, it is always a pleasure and privilege for the Hawaii State House of Representatives to recognize those exceptional people that have made significant achievements in education, inspiring our state's youth, and encouraging the people of the surrounding communities to become involved in their community's schools; and

     WHEREAS, Bebi Davis, who has taught physics and chemistry at Farrington High School since 2002, and is inspired by the smile that she receives when she helps someone to understand, and believes "teachers are the soul of society", was named the 2009 Honolulu District Teacher of the Year, and received the greater honor of being named the 2009 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Glenn Lee, who has been a science teacher at Waialua High and Intermediate School, led the state's first robotics team in 1999, and has expanded the horizons for his "award winning" students through STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, believes "inspiring students to become the best they can be is a grinding, relentless, and exciting task," has earned the recognition of being named 2009 Central District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Peggy Ann Pavao, who has been a teacher at Kapolei Middle School for the past nine years, believes in "making the best better," and wants her students to know they can do anything they desire as long as they are willing to make it happen, has earned the recognition of being named the 2009 Leeward District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Ramona Takahashi, a teacher and a coach at Kailua High School since 1993 who often states, "The ultimate reward is when you see a student do something that is right, when they do not know they are being watched," has been named the 2009 Windward District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, John Constantinou, who realized he would become a teacher while performing research in Antarctica, began his teaching career teaching science on Oahu and has been teaching at Keaau High School on the island of Hawaii since 2002 during which time he achieved numerous accomplishments including being the first teacher at his school to enter student projects in the science fair, has earned the recognition of being named 2009 Hawaii District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Roberta Kokx, who taught English in Japan where she was encouraged to pursue a degree in education, later became a National Board Certified Teacher and has been teaching at Kihei Elementary School since 2000, and frequently states and believes that "every child can learn, but each child learns differently," has been given the distinction of being named 2009 Maui District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Mary Lardizabal, a graduate of Kauai's first University of Hawaii elementary education cohort program, and music teacher at Kapaa Middle School since 1997, is a teacher that considers seeing a child's eyes "shine" and "light up on stage" her inspiration, which has earned her the distinction of being named 2009 Kauai District Teacher of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, Bebi Davis, Glenn Lee, Peggy Ann Pavao, Ramona Takahashi, John Constaninou, Roberta Kokx, and Mary Lardizabal, through their dedication and commitment to serving the children in our schools, have proven themselves worthy of being honored as inspirational teachers and role models for our public school community; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that this body hereby recognizes, congratulates, and honors, Bebi Davis, Glenn Lee, Peggy Ann Pavao, Ramona Takahashi, John Constaninou, Roberta Kokx, and Mary Lardizabal for their outstanding accomplishments and recognition as Hawaii's 2009 Teachers of the Year, and extends to all of them its sincere mahalo for a job well done.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Teacher of the Year