Page 4 - MIdWeek Central - Nov 17, 2021

4 NOVEMBER 17, 2021
Retired Central O‘ahu Educator Inspires Through New Book
BY MARIA KANAI
takes in her book Educating with Aloha: Reflections from the Heart on Teaching and Learning.
They range from personal stories of educating through- out her 45-year career, encour- agements for teachers, shrewd observations about Hawai‘i’s education system to impacts of COVID-19 on students, families and communities.
students for the 21st centu- ry world they are living in, then we should be working together to be innovative and supportive to ensure that schools are our priority,” Iwase shares.
“What could be more im- portant than positively im- pacting our young people so they are inspired to make a difference in our world?”
The volume is inspired by a blog that Iwase wrote during her years of experi- ence as a teacher and admin- istrator. Each chapter is filled with nuggets of wisdom.
She started writing in 2012 when she began read- ing blogs from other educa- tors and realized that writing a blog could be a powerful tool to reflect, share profes- sional and personal learning experiences and to learn with and from other bloggers.
That’s the perspective that Mililani resident and retired principal Jan Iwase
Her career in education started at Head Start, where she worked with disadvan- taged preschoolers.
Retired Central O’ahu educator Jan Iwase’s new book was inspired by a blog that she wrote during her experiences working as a teacher and administrator.
“This book is about hope and change. If we believe that our educational system should be preparing our
“When I started school, a whole new world opened up for me, and I loved learning and my teacher. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a teacher. Of course, in those days, girls aspired to be sec-
“I hope my book will inspire other educators to realize that by sharing our stories,” she adds. “By shar- ing experiences, successes, challenges and personal
During her free time, when she isn’t writing books, Iwase is taking daily walks with her dogs, golfing, reading and spending time with family.
She later taught at Wheel- er Elementary and Mililani Mauka Elementary schools in the state Department of Education.
She says it was challeng- ing at first to get started, but clearly, it’s been a meaning- ful and productive journey.
In 2000, she began a pro- gram to become a school administrator and, in 2003, she was appointed principal of Hale Kula Elementary School (later renamed Dan- iel K. Inouye Elementary School) until she retired in 2018.
Iwase was raised in Whit- more back when it was a pineapple plantation village.
Iwase’s writing is easy to read, even when dealing with heavy subject matter, and written with a caring, kind and inspirational voice.
“Growing up in that hum- ble environment was in- strumental in shaping me into the educator leader I became. I wrote about it in my first book, Leading with Aloha: From the Pineapple Fields to the Principal’s Of- fice,” Iwase says.
Mililani resident and retired principal Jan Iwase holds her new book, Educating with Aloha: Reflections from the Heart on Teaching and Learning.
PHOTOS COURTESY JAN IWASE
A portion of her book sales are donated to the Na- tional Kidney of Hawai‘i Foundation, in honor of her middle son, Jarand, who died unexpectedly in 2018 from chronic kidney disease.
Becoming a teacher has always been her goal since she was a child.
retaries, nurses or teachers so my aspiration wasn’t out of the ordinary,” Iwase ex- plains.
stories, we help each other to improve education for all students, not just those in our classroom or our school.”
Tele
TALK STORY
with Congressman Ed Case
December 8, 2021 6:30pm-8:00pm Hawai‘i Time
I am hosting another Live Tele-Talk Story Community Meeting to update you on Congress’ and my actions, listen to your concerns and answer your questions.
To join, just stay on the line when you receive my call from ph. 808-650-6688 right before our Talk Story, or, if you don’t hear from me, call in at 855-274-9528.
You can also join online at https://case.house.gov/live/
We Are Here To Help You – Email: ed.case@mail.house.gov • Website: case.house.gov DC Phone: (202) 225-2726 • HI Phone: (808) 650-6688