S.W. King Intermediate School Principal Sheena Alaiasa is the first educator from Hawaii to be named National Middle Level Principal of the Year by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

In a surprise student assembly Thursday at the Kaneohe school, Alaiasa was given the prestigious award by representatives of the association and MetLife, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and area lawmakers.

"Changing a school’s culture is essential if any other real school improvement is going to take hold. Sheena Alaiasa has done remarkable work to create a safe, personalized environment in which all students feel welcome and valued," JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of the association, said in a news release.

In her four years at King, Alaiasa has been recognized for significant contributions toward student achievement, leading the school out of restructuring and elevating it to statewide acclaim. Alaiasa also concentrated on raising the bar for Hawaiian and special education students, incorporated parent engagement and created a personalized learning environment for each child.

More than 600 seventh- and eighth-graders attend King Intermediate School. The eight elementary schools that feed into the school are Ahuimanu, Benjamin Parker, Heeia, Kahaluu, Kaneohe, Kapuna- hala, Puohala and Waiahole.

"Principal Alaiasa is a role model for her staff and students," Matayoshi said. "She demonstrates what can be done when you believe in your school community, set high goals and put in the work to accomplish them."

In May, Alaiasa was named Hawaii’s Middle School Principal of the Year. From the pool of nationwide winners, judges chose three finalists for the top award. Alaiasa was chosen over finalists from California and Mississippi after an intense round of interviews.

"The nation now knows what we’ve known for four years about Sheena’s extraordinary leadership," said Lea Albert, complex area superintendent for Castle-Kahuku. "She is humble, articulate and leads by example. Sheena represents everything we look for in educators and leaders."

As National Middle Level Principal of the Year, Alaiasa has won grants totaling $5,000 ($1,500 as a national finalist, and an additional $3,500 as the national winner). In September, she will be honored during a learning institute event in Washington, D.C., where state winners will share their knowledge and meet other education leaders and politicians.

Prior to becoming principal at King Intermediate, Alaiasa served as vice principal and principal at Heeia Elementary in Kaneohe. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.