Connecting Learning, Life and Aloha
‘O ka ‘imi na‘auao, ke ola a me ke aloha kā kākou e huliāmahi ai

Partnerships for Reform through Investigative Science and Math - PRISM

PRISM Teachers

On this page:

Jessica Souder

Jessica Souder

Education History:
BA in Elementary Education, Minor in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona.

GK-12 Project:
5th grade, Keaukaha Elementary School, working on developing an Environment: Plants and Insects unit in the second quarter and teaching Open Oceans Unit in third quarter.

Fun Facts:
What is not fun about me? :)

Lei Faʻanunu

Lei Faʻanunu Education History:
Bachelors from Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi

GK-12 Project:
5th grade, Keaukaha Elementary School working with Michelle Norman on developing a Environments: Plants and Insects Unit.

Fun Facts:
My first name is Hawaiian, my last name is Tongan and I look Japanese! Haha! I have five children ages nine and under.

Noe Taum

Education History:
Bachelors of Education, 1994, University of Hawaiʻi - Manoa
Professional Diploma in Education, 1995, University of Hawaiʻi - Manoa

GK-12 Project:
6th grade Keaukaha Elementary School. Working with Sierra Tobiason developing Hawaiian Open Oceans Part II: Primary producers to Marine Megafauna.

Fun Facts:
I enjoy spending time with my family-jumping on the trampoline and playing Wii.

Rochelle Tamiya

Rochelle Tamiya Education History:
B.A. Biology 1991, UH Hilo; Teaching Certificate-Secondary Science, UH Hilo.

GK-12 Project:
7th grade Life Science at Hilo Intermediate. Working with Springer Kaye on Forest Restoration and Ecology.

Fun Facts:
Loves baseball, basketball, ocean sports such as fishing, diving etc. Grew to LOVE science because of those who loved to teach me to enjoy it (doing it)…science rules!

Lurl Agbayani

Education History:
General Clerical Certificate, 1986- Hilo Community College
Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, 1988- Hilo Community College
B.A. in Sociology, 1993. University of Hawaiʻi Hilo
Elementary Teaching Certificate, 1993. University of Hawaiʻi Hilo

GK-12 Project :
I am a fourth grade teacher at Keaukaha Elementary School. I will be working with Anya Tagawa on developing a curriculum about Native Forest in Hawaiʻi. This will be my first year working with PRISM and I am very eager to collaborate, create and integrate pertinent science lessons in our classrooms.

Fun Facts:
I love to read suspense novels, travel, swim, and camp out at a “five star” hotel.

Michele Sasaki-Cann

Michele Sasaki-Cann Education History:
B.A. in Elementary Education, Minor in psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.

GK-12 Project:
I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at Keaukaha Elementary School. I’m looking forward to working with Casey (grade level partner) and Whitney (PRISM fellow) on a unit involving Invasive Animals in Hawaiʻi. I know it’ll be an exciting year for all of us!!!

Fun Facts:
I enjoy listening to Hawaiian music, art, and trying out new recipes. I have two beautiful daughters who keep me extremely busy. Things I love…..my family, living in Hawaiʻi, and teaching.

Steve Zeiher

Steve Zeiher Education:
University of Idaho, B.S. Range Resource Management, 1975-1980
University of Hawaii Hilo, B.A. Biology, 1995-1999
University of Hawaii Hilo, Teacher Education Program, 1999-2000

Prism Project:
9th year of teaching 7th grade Life Science at Waiakea Intermediate
School. Will be working with Jon Eldon to develop a freshwater/
watershed curriculum

Fun Facts:
Golf fanatic and love to travel

Kristen Miyazono

Education:
UH Hilo, Major in natural science, minor in biology

GK-12 Project:
Going into 8th year of teaching at Waiakea Intermediate. I currently
teach 7th grade life science and have taught math and earth science
in the past. Will be working with Jon Eldon to develop a freshwater/
watershed curriculum

Fun Facts:
I am also involved with WIS Robotics team, advised Botball for three
years, and will be starting a VEX team this school year.

Travis Toriano

Travis Toriano Education History:
B.S. Microbiology Washington State University 2004
Teaching Certificate University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 2005
**
GK-12 Project:**
7th Grade Hilo Intermediate Life Science working with Springer Kaye. Forest/Restoration Ecology.

Fun Facts:
Enjoy ocean outdoor activities and recreational sports. Waiakea High School Tennis Coach.

Tina Rizor

Tina Rizor Education History:
B.A. Elementary Ed, University of Wyoming
M.A. Reading, University of Wyoming.

GK-12 Project:
Working on developing the 1st grade curriculum the Animal Ahupuaʻa with bobby Hsu.

Fun Facts:
No human grandchildren yet...but meanwhile she enjoys cooking anything sweet, salty and/or fatty from Southernfoods.com!

Donna Foster

Donna Foster Education History:
B.B.S. UH-Manoa with emphasis in Travel Industry Management
Teaching Certificate UH Hilo
Education Professional UH Hilo

GK-12 Project:
Working on developing a plant and animal science curriculum for 1st graders.

Fun Facts:
I love to gamble in Las Vegas and Travel. I will eat exotic foods if someone will cook it for me. ☺ I’ve eaten fugu soup (Puffer fish) and survived, chocolate covered ants, and a few moths that accidentally flew in my mouth when I was jogging. When I retire I will work for a travel agency or airline so I can do more traveling.

Heather Hand

GK-12 Project: Working on Insects! curriculum for Kindergarten students.

Lynn Fujii

GK-12 Project: Working on the 6th grade curriculum Hawaii's Ocean Exploration with Sierra Tobiason.

Casey Hanoa

Education History: BA in Psychology, Elementary Education Certified

GK-12 Project: Third Grade: Invasive Species with Whitney Nekoba and Michele Sasaki-Cann.

Fun Facts: I have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband. My family is involved in rodeo and ranching and I have taught at Keaukaha Elementary School for the past 6 years.

Starr Asselin

Waikaloa Elementary School 4

Beth Bayon

beth GK-12 Project: Worked with Nick DeBoer developing the 6th grade Dry Forest curriculum at Waikaloa Middle School.

Diana Belmudes

diana GK-12 Project: Participated in the development of Hawaiʻi's Rocky Shores for 1st graders.

Sylvie Bright

Sylvie Bright GK-12 Project: In year one helped develop Hawaii's Sandy Shores for 2nd graders and in year two worked to develop the 6th grade Dry Forest curriculum.

Renee Caton

GK-12 Project: Participated in the development of the 4th grade Hawaii's Coral Reefs curriculum.

Michael Ciotti

Michael Ciotti

GK-12 Project: Actively uses both 5th grade curricula, the Open Ocean and the Ahupuaa.

Shannon Clemens

GK-12 Project: Worked in the development of the 6th grade Hawaii's Dry Forest curriculum.

Dianne Duke

GK-12 Project: Developed two Kindergarten curricula with fellows Jackie Gaudioso and Bobby Hsu entitled Kindercorals and Hawaii's Anchialine Ponds.

Liberty Furchgott

GK-12 Project: Helped to develop the 4th grade curriculum Hawaii's Coral Reefs.

Charles Hart

Charles Hart

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Suzi Ho

Suzi Ho

GK-12 Project: Lead teacher in the development of the 4th grade curriculum Hawaii's Coral Reefs.

Lyn Imamura

Lyn Imamura

GK-12 Project: Worked on the 2nd grade curriculum Hawaii's Sandy Shores.

Kelly Iokepa

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Kathleen Johnson

GK-12 Project: Worked on the development of the 1st grade curriculum Hawaii's Rocky Shore.

Ada Kubo

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Patricia Loney

Patricia Loney

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Robert Lozano

Robert Lozano

GK-12 Project: Lead teacher in the development of the Open Ocean curriculum for 5th grades. Also, worked on the development on the 5ht grade Ahupuaa curriculum.

Nancy Maupin

GK-12 Project: Worked in the development of the Open Ocean and Ahupuaa curricula for 5th grade.

Jenna Nakoa

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Rick Ormiston

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

LeeAnn Oshiro

GK-12 Project: Worked in the development of the 3rd grade curriculum Hawaii's Ocean Grazers.

Geri Pinnow

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Denise Russell

GK-12 Project: Worked on Hawaii's Sandy Shores for 2nd grade students.

Sue Smith

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Ciara Steynberg

Ciara

GK-12 Project: Actively uses both 5th grade curricula, the Open Ocean and the Ahupuaa.

Claire Takahashi

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Kristen Tarnas

Kristen Tarnas

GK-12 Project: Worked in the development of the 3rd grade curriculum Hawaii's Ocean Grazers.

Rhonda Vickery

GK-12 Project: Worked on Hawaii's Sandy Shores for 2nd grade students.

Heidi Wigman

GK-12 Project: Helped develop Hawaii's Coral Reefs, a 4th grade curriculum.

Mary Zuiderveen

GK-12 Project: Worked in the development of Hawaii's Rocky Shores for 1st grade students.