McKinley's Alumni Educators Enlighten

ByDominic Niyo

SinceMcKinley High School?s founding in 1865, which wasthen named Fort Street English Day School, many of itsalumni have chosen to return asitseducators. At thispresent day, therearemorethan adozen alumni who graduated from McKinley and choseto serveat their almamater. Herearesix of their experiences.

Joseph Cho isaninth-grade history teacher who graduated from McKinley in 1972. Hehasover 42 yearsof teaching experience, spending 30 yearsof teaching in Oregon. Thisschool year ishis13th year teaching in Hawaii. Hesaysthat themost rewarding aspect of hisjob isthat hecan influencestudents during their first year of high school.

?If my studentscan beabetter and moreconsiderateperson than when they camein, then I would?vedone my duty,?Cho said.

Onepieceof advicehewould give to current freshmen isto bediligent.

?You'reat abusstop. You?vegot four yearsat that busstop, and every year adifferent busarrives,?Cho said. ?If you don't get on theright bus, that ridecould belonger than four years.?

Travis Watanabe isaspecial education teacher who graduated from McKinley in 2010. Heisalso a minister at alocal congregation outsideof school.Hesaysthat working with studentstaught him many things, but themost valuable lesson helearned wastheimportance of patience.

"I had astudent who for along time struggled with inconsistency. To get that student to work productively, it took alot of time, alot of pushing, and alot of prodding,' Watanabesaid. "Working with thisstudent taught me to beflexibleand to believethat if you makesomeadjustmentswhen pursuing your goals, you can achieve them.?

After sometimeand effort, the student heworked with isnow flourishing, Watanabesaid.

Valerie Dao isthisschool year's student activitiescoordinator. She also graduated from McKinley in 2010. Sheregularly teachesmath but issubstituting for theposition this year. Dao, along with thestudent council, isresponsiblefor organizing school eventssuch astheLighting of theM, ChristmasVillage, and theHall of Honor. Shesaid themost gratifying part of her job isseeing thejoy the studentshaveafter they?vecompleted asuccessful event.

?Theevent planning itself isvery stressful, but seeing all thehard work that I and thestudent (council) poured in isvery rewarding,?Dao said.

Manuel Pulido isaretired army Lieutenant Colonel who now teaches JROTC. Hehasspent atotal of 31 yearsin thearmy, with 10 yearsin the National Guard and 21 yearson active duty. Apart from instructing cadets, healso advisestheFilipino Club and theCybersecurity Club, who aremore commonly known asCyber Tigers. He said that thereason hechoseto return to hisAlmamater after decadesworth of military servicewas that heliked theJROTC'smission of motivating peopleto becomebetter citizens.

?I wasin theROTCprogram when I wasastudent here. I felt likemy experiencewith working at the Pentagon, working with different levelsof command, and deploying overseaswould help thenext generation of students, Pulido said. ?It just felt likethenatural step.?

Hesaid hisjob asaJROTC instructor to beoneof thebest he's ever had. Hesaid that being surrounded by apositivegroup of studentsthroughout theday keeps him motivated.

"I enjoy working with thestudents here," Pulido said. "I seethere'salot of hopefor our country."

Karen Mirikitani graduated from McKinley in 1980. Sherecently joined theMcKinley staff in October to becomeaparaprofessional English Languagetutor.Outsideof school, she?sapracticing Methodist who has apassion for art. Shesaid thereason shechoseto return to her Almamater after being away for morethan 40 yearsisthat shewanted to repay all theopportunitiesMcKinley had offered her during her timeasa student.

?McKinley prepared mewith manageablechallengesto overcome fear and theunseen,?Mirikitani said. ?I want to giveback in both tangible and intangiblewaysand means.?

Asastudent, shelearned many valuablelessons, including the importanceof being open-minded.

?Onecan learn to appreciatewhat onehas, by offering and sharing with others,?Mirikitani said.

Imialoa'a Richardson isaspecial education history teacher who graduated from McKinley in 1998. He hasnineyearsof teaching experience aswell asover 20 yearsof experience asavolunteer coach. During histime asastudent, hewon numerous athletic championships, including being atwo-timeEastern Division Champion, a160lb Individual OIA Champion, and aBruteNWCA National champion in 1998.

"Asastudent, I learned that McKinley'sprideand tradition run deep. I enjoyed representing McKinley and participating in sports during high school," Richardson said. "My father and my previouscoaches motivated me."

Hesaid being ableto educateis something that hecherishesevery day.