Hawaii Catholic Schools Announces Teacher of the Year
One-year car lease from Aloha Kia, $1,000 in gas from Hele, $1,500 to the school for Faculty Appreciation from Augustine Educational Foundation, on top of the $1,000 check and Golden Pineapple Trophy from Chaminade University and John C. and Marilou Brogan…this year’s Hawaii Catholic School’s Teacher of the Year awardee is sure to have a nice summer carrying one of the heftiest Teacher of the Year prize packages this state has seen.
The winner was announced earlier today in the Hawaii Catholic School’s Recognition Ceremony which premiered on their YouTube Channel. Due to the pandemic, the annual event normally held in person at the Ko’olau Ballrooms, was presented virtually for the second year in a row. The event also recognizes administrators who are retiring or moving on after this 2020-2021 school year.
Mary Jane Vannatta celebrated her 40th anniversary as a teacher, earlier this year. She has taught in both grades 6 and 7 at Maryknoll School where she teaches a variety of subjects including Religion, Math, Social Studies and Science. Mary Jane values Catholic Education and works hard to inspire her students to become good citizens and lifelong learners.
She is positive influence on so many of her students. Mary Jane is described by her nominee as, “a caring, loving teacher, who spends a lot of extra time tutoring students who need additional explanation or one-on-one tutoring”. In the words of one parent, “Mrs. Vannatta has done an excellent job of bringing math alive for my son. She is always working late with students who need help and is always so calm and patient. I just want to applaud her for being able to meet and help her students thrive despite the challenges of this pandemic.”
The annual Golden Pineapple Teacher of the Year award recognizes excellence in teaching within the Catholic Schools in the State of Hawaii. Awardees are chosen for exhibiting leadership within the school and community, engages in the spiritual development of students, and goes the extra mile. Nominees must be a full-time teacher or specialist (coach, librarian, counselor, etc.) in a Catholic School in the State of Hawaii and is nominated by any student, parent, faculty or staff member of a Catholic school in collaboration with the school’s principal.
