2 isle schoolteachers honored with award from the president

Two Oahu private school educators have been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, President Barack Obama announced Wednesday.

‘Iolani School mathematics teacher Amy Yonashiro and Sacred Hearts Academy science teacher Erin Flynn are among 108 educators nationwide who will each receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation as part of the honor.

Yonashiro, who has taught pre-algebra through calculus for the past 23 years at ‘Iolani, said being selected for the award will be career-changing.

“The application process for this award helped me reflect on my teaching,” she said. “I recognize my family, colleagues, school, my own teachers and, especially, my students with this award.”

Flynn, who has taught high school science at Sacred Hearts for the past seven years, also credited her students.

“My success as an educator is a testimony to those who have supported me along my path towards science education: my family, my mentors, my colleagues and, of course, my students,” she said. “I left the field of science research to become a science educator, and this award confirms that I made the right choice.”

The presidential award is given annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; U.S. territories; and Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

The awards alternate between teachers teaching kindergarten through sixth grade and those teaching seventh through 12th grades. This year’s awardees teach secondary grades.

“These teachers are shaping America’s success through their passion for math and science,” Obama said in a statement. “Their leadership and commitment empower our children to think critically and creatively about science, technology, engineering and math. The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edge tomorrow.”

The winners are chosen by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Flynn was one of six finalists for Hawaii in the science category while Yonashiro was one of four math finalists.

The winners will be recognized at an event in Washington this summer.