the island school
a tri-annual publication Spring, 2011-2012
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When teachers pursue their passions What’s Ahead? May 18 & 19
June 1
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Middle School Play Junior/Senior Prom Grand Hyatt Resort Academic Awards Assembly Sports Banquet
June 2
Headmaster’s Senior Brunch
June 8
June 11
Last Day Trimester 3 Beach Blast-Off, PK-8 2012 Graduation, 5:00 p.m. Wilcox Gymnasium Kamehameha Day
June15
Last Day for Teachers
June 30
Island School Kealia Reunion - Camp Sloggett Summer School Programs
May 26 May 31
June 9
June 18 - August 2 August 13
peggy@ischool.org
2012-2013 School Year Begins (808) 246-0233
www.ischool.org
• What teachers love to do … pg. 2
• Life-changing moments … pg. 3 • Kealia Students reconnect June 30 - centerfold • Class of 2012 - 100% college bound … pg. 6 • Philip Steinbacher - “It was meant to be.” … pg. 8 http://www.facebook.com/IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai
When teachers are encouraged to pursue their passions Island School is a composition of various parts: students, parents, teachers, administrators, board members and the community as a whole. Each segment has an important and unique relationship to the school.
because they are encouraged to pursue their interests. Teachers like to learn as much as they like to teach. The Island School Mission Statement affirms the position that we capitalize on the talents of our faculty and administration. To this end, opportunities are made available for teachers to further their education, travel, teach courses of their own making and lead clubs, teams and student activities.
Being an Island School teacher is not a 9-5 type of job, nor is it an 8-3 type of job. It’s a lifestyle. The amount of time our teachers spend at school or involved in school-related tasks is remarkable. They often report to work before 7:30 a.m. and stay far beyond the school day - and they aren’t just grading papers. Our teachers are involved in all manner of extra and co-curricular activities.
Many teachers apply for and receive scholarships for special trainings and workshops. Some are funded by the school to attend classes and programs, while others organize their own enriching experiences.
What in the world motivates this kind of dedication? The answer isn’t a big surprise - they like their jobs. Our teachers enjoy working at Island School largely
Ultimately, it’s the students who benefit when their teachers are lifelong learners. Island School is fortunate to have such a diverse and passionate faculty and staff.
The activities pursued by our faculty and staff translate into numerous benefits for our students.
I’m passionate about … gardening (Kate Mink - high school science)
students getting the help they need to succeed (Jeff Kozak - high school science/math) the ocean (Joe Corbo - middle school science)
So I’ve been able to … … create an aquaponics garden, which is a wonderful resource for my science classes and also supplies the cafeteria with fresh greens. … offer after-school tutoring because as a struggling high school student, I valued the help I received from my teachers. … start the Marine Voyagers SCUBA club, where students practice marine conservation through reef clean-ups, fish counts and educational seminars.
theatre (Sue Macklin - pre-k teacher)
… have my students act out the stories they’ve been reading, with sets, props, costumes and puppets.
photography (Dean Wakamoto - kitchen manager)
… teach pin-hole photography workshops to students.
yoga (Jackie Mierta - elementary/middle physical ed)
… offerYoga classes for middle and high school students as part of the PE program. … teach my students how to process new books, cataloging and shelving them as they come in.
libraries (Sierra Hampton-Eng - MS English)
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People Who Have Changed My Life Did you ever have a teacher or mentor who, at a pivotal time of your life, influenced you in a significant way? Five students from the Island School Class of 2012 tell their stories: I like to work with my hands and fix things. Starting high school as a freshman, I really didn’t know what kind of career I wanted to pursue. That’s when I joined robotics.Year after year, my skills grew and I realized that I enjoyed and was actually good at computer engineering. As new students joined as freshmen, I found myself helping them learn the ropes. As a senior, I have learned that computer engineers will be in demand at about the time I finish my Masters degree. Without the hands-on opportunities in Robotics that James Massaro and his team provided, I doubt I’d have chosen to pursue a major in computer science. Daniel Miller plans to study computer engineering at Linfield College in McMinnville, OR
The decision for me to spend my high school years at Island School was made largely because of the college counseling program. As a basketball player, this decision wasn’t made lightly; Kapa‘a High had its advantages in that area. But I knew that my career would likely not be in basketball - getting into a
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good college was of primary importance. Joan Shaw and my teachers made it clear that this required planning and preparation. My classes were geared toward that goal. Joan made sure I knew when the SAT and ACT tests would be held and for what scholarships I might qualify. I was able to take honors classes and advanced courses in math, science and Chinese. I was even able to play on multiple athletic teams and participate in a college recruitment program. My achievement in both academics and athletics is what made my college applications stand out. Lauren Claypoole will attend Williams College in Williamston, MA, and major in neuroscience. She was also recruited for their women’s basketball team.
When I was a sophomore, there were only two students in my calculus class! That’s pretty unusual. As a junior, I learned that Island School offered the highest level of mathematics instruction on the island! I have been encouraged to continue my studies in math and science at ever higher levels. My math teacher, Jeff Kozak, directed me to on-line and AP classes that set me apart from other college applicants to the degree that I was accepted at some of the most respected colleges and universities in the country. Thanks to their confidence in me, doors have been opened that might otherwise have been closed. Emeline Wu plans to major in biomedical engineering or math, while pursuing a pre-med track at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, CA
I wanted to work hard for my running coach because he worked so hard for me. Despite the fact that he spent two weeks a month working in Arizona, every single morning, I got an email from him outlining in detail, my daily workout instructions. Sometimes he cared more about my running than I did – he was never too busy or too far away to find a way for me to improve. Coach Wortmann made a huge difference not only in my running, but he showed me how to manage my time in ways I never thought possible. Because he believed in my potential, I can believe in myself. Ryan Perez will major in communications at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA.
I can tell that my Chinese teacher, Dr. Barale, wants to be in class every day. That makes me want to be in class, too. She has had such an interesting life and so many stories to tell. When she told the class that at age 18 she moved, by herself, to Taiwan to study the language, it made a huge impression on me. That’s my age! She took a risk to follow her passion and helped me see that I can do the same.
Teddy Rose plans on studying linguistics at Quest University in British Columbia
Alumni
On Facebook?
Centerfold
2011 - Jeremy Randolph-Flagg is just finishing his freshman year at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He’s been playing club tennis as well as Ultimate Frisbee on Carleton’s team, The Hot Karls (their mascot is the Three Karls: Rove, Marx and Malone). He went on a cold winter camping trip near Lake Superior and “spent the night huddling in a tent eating cold tortillas and wondering whether the feeling in my toes would ever return.” Academically, he is finding his classes interesting and he’s working hard. Kyle McDonald was finally able to achieve one of his dreams to do community service work in Haiti. He spent his spring break from University of Florida there, helping deliver water filters to a Kyle McDonald, ‘11, in Haiti remote village. Brandon Taylor and Makana Ledesma have been rooming together in the dorms at University of Nevada, Reno. Brandon has been taking a heavy load of classes, but still finds time to snowboard at the nearby Lake Tahoe ski resorts. He also started up an intramural basketball team on campus which won its first four games!
Kariann Lee, ‘09, with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India (She’s the second from the left in the bottom row).
2009- Ron O’Brien has a summer internship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department working on invasive species removal. He’ll be working at Makauwahi Sinkhole on Kaua‘i. Next year, he’ll be studying abroad at Uppsala University in Sweden, studying sustainability.
2008 - Trevor Bloom graduated this month from Lewis and Clark College, in Portland, OR with a bachelor’s in biology. Last semester he was in New Zealand on a study abroad program and this summer he’ll be traveling to the Dominican Republic to collect spiders! He’ll be working for one of his Lewis and Clark professors who is an arachnologist, on a study of the biodiversity of the Caribbean islands. He has more travel plans next fall and spring to South America and to Africa. Cassady Sirois graduated from Chapman University and will be working as a Management Trainee for Sherwin-Williams in Jenny Ray, Sarah Shaw and Southern California. Jeannie Smith, all from the Class of ‘05, reunited at May Day
2004 - Eimee (Escaño) Frampton and her husband, Eric, stopped by school in March while visiting her family. Her brother, David, is currently an Island School 3rd grader. Eric is a Safety for the Minnesota Vikings. 2003 - Jonny Weir lives in San Clemente, California and is competing as a mountain bike racer. He’s a Cat 1, which is one step down from Pro. He’s also a Cat 2 Cyclocross racer, which is a mix between road & mountain biking. He works for Shimano America which is the world’s largest bike component manufacturer. 2002 - Capt. Jennifer Proudfoot USMC is currently deployed on her second tour to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. She is a helicopter pilot with the Ugly Angels Squadron (HMH -362) out of MCAS Kaneohe flying a CH-53D helicopter. In a recent email Jenn said: “I’m flying a lot. It’s the same as before just I’m a lot better at it. haha. I’m actually switching
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from days to nights right now. I’m doing what I love and I’m good at it.” Devin (Hoag) McKeon and his wife, Naomi, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Alan Jun. They live in Albany, New York. Congratulations to Erin (Shaw) Gushman who was married this month to Jed Gushman.
2000 - Following his graduation from Punahou, Roy Esaki completed a degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MS from University of Michigan. He completed his MD in 2009, at University of Michigan Medical School and is currently a Resident at Stanford Department of Anesthesiology. Roy and his wife, Hangyul Chung-Esaki, live in Menlo Park, Roy Esaki ‘00, and his wife are California. They living in Menlo Park, CA are expecting their first child in August. Lindsey (Olin) Vail and her husband traveled around New Zealand in a camper for a few months, visited Australia, then moved to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands where she is working as an HR Director for a company out of Alaska. Lars Hansen and his wife, Elissa, each received their Ph.D. last month from the University of Minnesota – Lars in Geophysics and Elissa in Literature. Lars has accepted a post doctoral fellowship at Stanford Lars Hansen, ‘00, and his wife each University, which begins in August. received a Ph.D from University of Minnesota
1999 - Patrick Karjala is working on O‘ahu as a Systems Engineer. This past winter, he performed in the chorus of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre’s Don Pasquale and Aida. 1995 - Maya Kahn and husband, Mike, greeted their baby girl, Lyra, born on May 1st. 1993 -Rosalind Delisser Barata and her family have been living in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for about a year. Her husband is working on urban projects in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Roz is hoping to find work in the nursing field, but is finding that there are many cultural obstacles to overcome. She was recently on Kaua‘i with her mom, and stopped by Island School for the grand tour. 1992 - Congratulations to Tristan Burnett, who graduated from Willamette University College of Law last year and recently passed the Washington State bar exam.
1989 -Congratulations to Aaron Wilson and his wife, Aarti, who announced the birth of their first child, Darshana Rachael. 1983 - Toby (Wilson) Neal has published her latest crime novel, Blood Orchids, last December. Search for it on amazon.com.
Kealia Reunion June 30-July1 2012 We are going to have
So Much Fun
at Camp Sloggett If you attended Island School at its Kealia Campus … YOU are invited. We’ll have • Morning Circle at our Puhi campus • Perhaps a Time Capsule
Jonny Weir, ‘03, crossing the finish line at a road race.
Roz (Delisser) Barata, ‘93, was excited to find a collage in Peggy’s office that she helped make back when she was a student at the Kealia campus.
• • • •
Keiki games Campfire Talent Show Four-Square anyone?
Bring your kids and parents - no pets please. To sign up, email nathaniele@ischool.org.
College Bound
Something is working here at Island School. 100% of our seniors have been accepted to college: 96% to 4 year institutions; 4% to 2 year institutions. 105 acceptance letters from 64 different colleges and universities have been received. Here’s where they’ve been accepted: Azusa Pacific University Biola University Bowdoin College California Lutheran University Capernwray Bible School Carleton College Chaminade University Claremont McKenna College Colorado State University Columbia College of Chicago Concordia University, Irvine Concordia University, Portland Cornish College of the Arts Dartmouth College Hawai‘i Pacific University Lewis & Clark College Linfield College Loyola Marymount University Massachusetts Institute of Technology New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology
“College counseling and academic advising are interwoven” explained Joan Shaw,
our college counselor. “I start meeting with students in eighth grade, to explain our high school program and graduation requirements. They learn early that in high school they are building the foundation from which a wide variety of choices will emerge.”
In their junior year, our students are enrolled in Junior Counseling. The main focus of this class is for students to get to know themselves and understand their own criteria for college. They are exposed to many experiences including the College & Career Fair, visits from admissions counselors and guest speakers. Families are brought together
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Occidental College Orange Coast College Oregon State University Pacific Lutheran University Pacific University Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Quest University San Francisco Art Institute Santa Clara University Savannah School of Art & Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago Seattle University Sonoma State University Stanford University University of British Columbia University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of Colorado, Boulder University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
University of LaVerne University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Michigan, Ann Arbor University of Minnesota University of North Texas University of Oregon University of the Pacific University of Portland University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Southern California University of Wisconsin, Madison Washington State University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Western Washington University Whittier College Whitworth University Willamette University Williams College
for College Night, Financial Aid Night, and family college conferences.
requirements of colleges and universities, and our own records of previous acceptances and denials.
During the first trimester of their senior year, students get down to the “nuts and bolts” of applying to college. The key is to apply to “match schools” - institutions in which they will thrive. With Joan’s expert assistance, seniors put together their profile, which includes: academic achievement and grade point average, extra curricular activities, standardized test scores, financial requirements and possible majors. Their profile is compared with the admissions
Island School students have a huge advantage in
that they have outstanding academic preparation, plus their teachers are willing and able to write excellent letters of recommendation. “Our teachers know their students very well,” said Joan, “Strong letters of recommendation can play a pivotal role in college admission decisions.” There’s a good reason our seniors are so successful at getting into college. They are well prepared academically, closely guided and supported by faculty, staff and parents, and most of all - they work hard to achieve their goals!
Avocation to Vocation by Robert Springer Head of School Finding a career isn’t always a matter of planning and predetermination. For some, myself included, it can be simply a matter of chance. Upon leaving high-school, I attended college without a thought to the future. Sports was my central interest, as was music; I had enjoyed singing in the choir. So I took a smattering of courses, English, history, geology, pre-med biology, and physical education. While each of these had their allurements, none truly captured my passion. Clueless, without any direction, I decided to major in music. At least this would be fun, I thought. So I embarked on my studies, wholly unprepared for a brand new adventure, and surrounded by others far more prepared than I. It was quite a challenge, and I worked hard. In my senior year, I passed my comprehensive exams, wrote a senior thesis on early baroque choral music in Germany, and trained a choir for my senior recital, in addition to passing my other classes. All of this was quite satisfying but hardly preparation for a career about which I had given little thought. Several businesses talked with me about joining their ranks, but somehow being employed for 12 months a year was unappealing. So when a music position at Kamehameha Schools was offered to me, I was ready to take advantage of the opportunity and move to Hawaii. While at Kamehameha, I learned that in addition to teaching music I could coach football, combining two of my passions. I was hooked and have been in education ever since, at various times as a teacher of music and social studies, a dormitory advisor, assistant to the president, head of Kamehameha’s boarding program, head of Kamehameha’s kindergarten through high-school programs, acting president, and head of Kamehameha’s early education program, Opportunity continued to knock at my door. For example, during a year’s sabbatical, I was able to live in Mexico and immerse myself in Latin American cultures.
Development Update Legacy Giving
For 35 years, Island School has provided Kaua‘i’s families with an alternative to the public school system. We are an integral part of the Garden Island community - a unique organization that encourages growth, develops potential and offers the promise of a bright and compassionate future. If Island School has been a meaningful part of your life and you’d like it to continue to be a vibrant Kaua‘i institution, consider including it in your estate plans. A simple bequest in your will can make a lasting impact and inspire generations of life-long learners. For more information about Legacy Giving, please contact Joan Shaw, Director of Development, at (808) 246-0233 x232 or joan@ischool.org. Later I became involved in the Teacher Interchange Program of the East West Center. This involved studies of Asian history, philosophy, and religion and an extensive tour of Asia. Then I was fortunate to receive extensive training in management by the American Management Association. None of this was planned; it simply happened. Every now and then I pinch myself and wonder what I will become once I grow up, though I feel most fortunate in the opportunities that have come my way. Robert Frost said it well: But yield who will to their separation, My object in life is to unite My avocation with my vocation As my two eyes make one sight. Only where love and need are one, And the work is play for mortal stakes, Is the deed ever really done For heaven and the future’s sakes. (From “Two Tramps at Mud Time”)
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Philip SteinbacherPhilip was hired by Island School six years ago to teach English. It was only a matter of days before Mr. Springer asked him if he would be willing to start a middle school and high school chorus. The answer was a resounding “Yes!” and the rest is history. Philip’s resumé is an interesting read: he spent fifteen years as a singer/dancer at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL; he has a BA in music and an MA in Education; he has taught 3rd and 4th
grades, coordinated the gifted and talented program for a small public district in the Chicago suburbs; and wrote two published language arts books. Prior to landing his job at Island School, he was Curriculum Coordinator at Kapa‘a Elementary.
In addition to chorus, Philip teaches a range of music electives and middle school English. “I’m a better English teacher because my passion for music is being fed,” he said. “I just love being here, and for that reason I can be a more inspiring teacher.”
Philip stumbled upon Island School’s website while living in Chicago. “I can’t explain it, but something I felt from viewing the site just drew me to the school,” he said. “I decided right then and there I was going to teach here. I suppose it’s sappy, but I just always knew it was meant to be.”
“During my interview for the [Island School] position, I specifically mentioned the part of the mission statement that says ‘… to express fully the talents of our faculty…’ and asked Bob if this was, indeed, a mission of the school. He said it was; I believed him, and I still do.” Philip places a lot of value on the support and freedom he’s received to develop the music program in his own way. “Because of that I have a deeper passion for music and for teaching than I have ever known.”
Over his six-year tenure at Island School, the four Island School choruses he started have grown to involve over 100 students from 4th through 12th grades. They perform at numerous school functions including two concerts held for packed audiences at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center.
Ask one of Philip’s students what they think is special about his classes and they will likely mention his enthusiasm and his great sense of humor. “They think I’m teaching them,” said Philip, “but really – they’re teaching me.”
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