Decades ago Bruce Naguwa switched his college major from business to education after he discovered a love for mentoring and building relationships with kids.
Now, with more than 25 years of experience as a school administrator, he is a standout in the business of education.
The Kapolei Middle School principal was named the state’s 2016 National Distinguished Principal at a ceremony held Sunday, marking the first time a principal in Hawaii has won the award twice.
Naguwa’s leadership as head of Kipapa Elementary School scored him the same award in 2005. He was also a nominee for this year’s Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award, which honors visionary and community-minded public school principals.
“I truly didn’t expect to win. So when they called my name, I was a little bit stunned,” Naguwa said Monday.
Much of the credit for the school’s success is due to students and staff for their hard work and dedication, he said. “There’s so many administrators who are working so hard at their schools to accomplish what they’re accomplishing. I think everyone works hard to be recognized. It is an honor.”
Naguwa, 60, has headed Kapolei Middle, a multitrack school that serves more than 1,400 students in grades 6 to 8, since 2012. The school is expected to grow to about 1,600 students in two years. He also served as principal at several other Oahu schools and as deputy superintendent on the Leeward side.
“I’ve been on this journey (as an educator) quite a long time,” Naguwa said. “Getting everybody on the same page at times is not easy (as a multitrack school). Creating that sense of unity, creating that relationship where everybody understands that we’re working toward the same goal, I think that’s important for me.”
At Sunday’s ceremony Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area Superintendent Heidi Armstrong described Naguwa as a dedicated team leader, according to a state Department of Education news release.
“He is in the classrooms daily. He is visible on campus. He is always evaluating the effectiveness of programs and initiatives and works alongside the teachers, staff and students to support effective teaching and learning,” Armstrong said. “Principal Naguwa doesn’t say, ‘Go,’ he says, ‘Let’s go,’ and what a difference that has made.”
This year’s National Distinguished Principal nominees were Ernest Muh, Helemano Elementary; Michelle Payne-Arakaki, Pahoa Elementary; Linell Dilwith, Stevenson Middle; Debra Badua, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle; Alma Souza, Heeia Elementary; and Steve Franz, King Kamehameha III Elementary. Last year’s state winner was Malaea Wetzel of Haleiwa Elementary School.
Anthony Gayer from Aina Haina Elementary School was also recognized as the state’s 2016 Outstanding Assistant Principal.
The awards are presented by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators’ Association, the local chapter of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, which hosts an annual ceremony in Washington, D.C., for winners from across the country. Established in 1984, the program recognizes elementary and middle school principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and environment for the students, families and staff in their learning communities.
