Two Hawaii teachers land Albert Einstein fellowships

Two of the 14 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowships awarded this year nationwide are going to Hawaii public school teachers, an outsized representation for a small state.

Science teachers Bryan Silver of Kalani High and Pascale Creek Pinner of Hilo Intermediate School are heading to Washington, D.C., to begin their 11-month research appointments at federal agencies on Sept. 4.

“Pascale and Bryan are both highly motivated and innovative teachers,” said Lauren Kaupp, a Department of Education educational specialist for science in the state Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design. “They will be excellent representatives of our Hawaii science ohana.”

The fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process to outstanding teachers in science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM, from public and private schools. Pinner and Silver already had earned national renown by winning Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

As Einstein fellows, Pinner and Silver will offer their perspectives and classroom experiences to help shape national education policy and programs. Afterward, they are expected to return to Hawaii with broader knowledge and networks to enhance their teaching.

Pinner, who has taught at Hilo Intermediate for 31 years, wants to uncover more opportunities for her students, including internships in STEM fields, perhaps via the Department of Energy’s national laboratories. She will work at that department’s Office of Science, which supports research into energy and the physical sciences.

“Finding pathways for our local kids is really important,” she said. “We have a giant brain drain which we don’t need to have. There are gems in every one of these small rural communities. A lot of my students have gone on to do amazing things. I want all of my students to know of the opportunities that can be available to them.”

She mentors intermediate and high school students competing in science fairs, and has taken students to the International Science and Engineering Fair for the past five years.

Silver will do his fellowship at the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Engineering, which supports engineering research and education.

He has worn multiple hats in his 19 years at Kalani, starting as a history teacher and then working in special education, developing “all kinds of cool stuff” with science, including aquaculture and hydroponics, before moving into the Science Department. He has certificates in history, special education, science and Career and Technical Education.

“A lot of what sets you apart is the excitement of the teacher, jumping into things, not being afraid to try something new,” Silver said. “This may work, this may not, but let’s find out. We take the learning with the students. I’m always looking for ways to get their hands dirty.”

As robotics coach, he forges long-lasting ties with his students. He worked with former students to form a nonprofit, ImagineWorks, that offers tech workshops during school breaks. It also created a mobile technology center in a 40-foot trailer, packed with multiple fabrication machines, and sides that fold open to make a classroom.

Silver also has helped his students earn precious telescope time at the Mauna Kea Observatories to conduct their research projects through the Maunakea Scholars program.

“He puts his heart and soul into helping the kids, and to giving them opportunities to enhance the overall program we have here at Kalani,” Principal Mitchell Otani said.