Mitzi Hasegawa, a middle school mathematics teacher at Hana High and Elementary School, was recognized at the state Capitol last week as 2012 Maui School District Teacher of the Year.

Hasegawa has led the school’s Math Matters team and has encouraged students “to continue their learning during the afterschool hours,” said Senate President Shan Tsutsui (D, Wailuku-Kahului).

Hasegawa is originally from Monroe, Mich., and moved to Hana to teach after graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 1990, a Senate news release said. She is married to Neil Hasegawa, a member of the Hasegawa General Store family.

Maui Sens. Tsutsui, J. Kalani English and Roz Baker honored Hasegawa during Education Week at the Capitol.