Washington Middle educator is named state’s top teacher

When Washington Middle School math teacher Sung Park began coaching the Honolulu school’s math team in 2009, he was told his students didn’t stand a chance against teams from the state’s top private schools.

But under his tutelage and coaching, the school’s “mathletes” have dominated the MATHCOUNTS state competition for the last six years in a row, beating out public and private schools. From there each state sends its top four students to the national math championships, and last year three out of Hawaii’s four competitors were from Washington Middle.

“Many people around me told me we had no chance because many smart kids go to elite private schools. At the time I thought to myself, ‘Well, if we don’t challenge it, we’ll never know,’” Park recalled. “As teachers and parents, if we guide them well, they are going to accelerate. And I think our Washington Middle School has proven that.”

Park, 52, said his favorite thing about teaching is seeing his students succeed.

“To me, teaching is the greatest and most honorable job in the whole world because we can change other people’s lives,” he said. “The kids’ success — that’s what keeps me happy.”

In recognition of his exemplary work with students, Park was named the 2017 State Teacher of the Year, a title the Department of Education bestows upon its top educator. He received the honor Friday from Gov. David Ige, schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and Deputy Superintendent Stephen Schatz during a ceremony at Washington Place.

Park was chosen by a panel of judges from among this year’s seven district-level Teachers of the Year awardees and the Charter School Teacher of the Year.

Noting a rigorous selection process, Matayoshi said the top winner must do the following: inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; maintain the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues; contribute to the community as well as in the school; be poised and articulate; and possess the energy to withstand a taxing schedule.

“Under his coaching, Washington Middle’s math teams have been dominating competitions … in algebra and geometry. That’s not an exaggeration — dominating,” Schatz said. “His personal commitment to excellence as a teacher is translated to his students, who understand their expectations and work extremely hard to meet them.”

Park had gathered with this year’s other district winners at the governor’s residence Friday to learn who would earn the top title along with prizes including a $1,000 check from the Polynesian Cultural Center, the award program’s corporate sponsor, and a one-year lease of a new car provided by Hawaii Chevy Dealers.

When Matayoshi announced his name, Park looked stunned.

“My mind totally went blank,” he said after the ceremony, draped with colorful lei piled up to his ears. “My heart has never been beating this fast before. I go to the competitions with the kids, and it makes me nervous but not this much. Now I could feel how they feel.”

Originally from South Korea, Park studied business and pharmacy on the mainland and on Guam before moving to Hawaii in 2000. He switched career paths and earned a post-baccalaureate degree in mathematics education.

Park joined the Department of Education 12 years ago initially as a substitute teacher and emergency hire at Central Middle School before becoming a math teacher at Washington Middle, where nearly 60 percent of students are considered economically disadvantaged.

Michael Harano, Washington Middle’s longtime principal, credits Park with taking an interest in all of the school’s students and pushing them to succeed.

“I believe he’s extremely deserving. He works extremely hard with the kids,” Harano said after Friday’s ceremony. “Even our lower-performing kids, somehow under Mr. Park, they get it. And it’s because he never gives up on a kid no matter how much they struggle. He just won’t give up until they’re successful.”

Harano added, “He’s able to translate this idea that education means opportunity in your life. And the kids believe. He has a track record — we have kids in Yale, Harvard, MIT. All his former students, they come back and encourage the current students.”

The other finalists honored Friday, who each received $500 from the Polynesian Cultural Center, were:

>> Luane Higuchi, Leeward District, Waianae Intermediate School.

>> Tracey Idica, Central District, Aiea High School.

>> Kristi Kusunoki, Windward District, Kailua Intermediate School.

>> David Mireles, Kauai District, Kapaa High School.

>> Laurie Ann O’Brien, Hawaii District, Keaau High School.

>> Jennifer Suzuki, Maui District, Maui Waena Intermediate School.

>> Kay Beach, Public Charter Schools, School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability.

“While public education is a team effort, the teachers we are honoring here today have distinguished themselves in the classroom, in the community and among their peers,” Schatz said.

Ige said the state’s public school students were the real winners of the annual teaching award. “Our children are the winners in this contest because each and every one of you are able to inspire so many of our young people, and I know that you will continue to do so,” he said.