Though she’s just been selected as Castle High School’s new principal, Sheena Alaiasa already knows many of her students well.
Some of the Windward school’s 1,551 students were in Alaiasa’s class when she taught elementary school. Others attended the elementary or intermediate schools where she served as vice principal and principal, respectively.
"She pulled King (Intermediate) out of restructuring — the severest sanction under No Child Left Behind — in three years," said Lea Albert, area superintendent for the Castle and Kahuku complexes.
For that feat, Alaiasa became the first principal in Hawaii history to win the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ "National Middle Level Principal of the Year" title earlier during the 2013-14 school year, beating out principals from every state as well as District of Columbia and Department of Defense schools.
On Friday the Department of Education announced the appointment of Alaiasa, who has been serving as acting principal at Castle High since January after Darrel Galera, who was briefly acting principal, retired. Meredith Maeda was Castle’s last principal.
Alaiasa was recommended by a committee to Albert, and schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi made the final decision in her selection.
Albert describes her leadership style as "calm, reflective and values-based," centered on the needs of children, and "she has very high expectations."
As King Intermediate’s principal for six years, she helped it earn in 2013 recognition as a Strive HI school, through the Department of Education’s school accountability and improvement system.
Alaiasa also taught at Kahaluu Elementary School and was vice principal at Heeia and Kailua elementary schools.
"Not many principals have experienced seeing students grow as their elementary school teacher or principal, then being their high school principal when they graduate," Alaiasa said in a written statement. "I’m excited and honored to have this privilege."
Alaiasa said Castle will work more closely with Windward Community College and community partners to provide the best educational experience for its students.
