2022 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year

CGEST STEM Ambassador and Waiakea High School’s Whitney Aragaki

Whitney Aragaki, a UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) Department of Curriculum Studies (EDCS) doctoral student and Waiakea High teacher, is the 2022 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year. Aragaki is also CGEST’s STEM Ambassador.

Aragaki received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. David Ige and Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi during a virtual awards ceremony.

“Whitney’s innovative approach to teaching offers students meaningful cultural and place-based learning opportunities that are both rigorous and relevant to our young learners,” Interim Superintendent Hayashi said. “Science can be an intimidating subject for students, but Whitney successfully engages her students in exciting and empowering ways.”

"I am so thankful to the COE for taking a chance on me. It really is breaking a glass ceiling for neighbor island students to pursue doctoral studies and work with so many amazing educators and researchers around the state."