• [PHOTO GALLERY] Ken Kang receives Milken Educator award

Technology coordinator Ken Kang was handling the soundboard at Aiea High’s all-school assembly Monday when Gov. David Ige announced this year’s Hawaii winner of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award.

An Aiea High graduate himself, Kang clapped his hand to his heart in shock when he heard his own name over the sound system he had helped set up in the gymnasium. He blinked back tears as 1,000 students, faculty and staff erupted in cheers, and his wife and son stepped out of hiding to hug him.

“I’ve known Ken from the time he started working here, and he’s someone who gives his whole heart to all the students here,” said Susan Gonsalves, science department chairwoman, who found herself tearing up as well. “He has so much pride in the school.”

Kang gave up his first career as an electrical engineer in 2005 to join the faculty at his alma mater, where he had been helping out part time at the urging of a former teacher. He teaches STEM courses, which combine science, technology, engineering and math, and works to engage students and empower teachers as technology guru for the campus. Kang made the switch when he discovered how gratifying it was to work with kids.

“I totally realized that this warm feeling of working with students, being able to help them focus on their futures, was so much more rewarding than just finishing up my project or my design,” he said.

The Milken Family Foundation singled out 44 educators across the country this year for the award, known as the “Oscars of Teaching.” Educators cannot apply for the award and do not even know they are being considered.

Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, flew in from Santa Monica, Calif., where the foundation is based, for the presentation. She noted that the country does a lot to recognize its best athletes and entertainers, “but our educators, who have the most important job of all, haven’t had that kind of celebration.”

“From the Milken Family Foundation, we want to thank you for changing your career in engineering to become a teacher,” she told Kang.

Once he was handed the microphone, the 1992 Aiea High graduate harked back to his own days on the campus.

“It actually was my second home,” Kang told the students. “I was an immigrant … and my parents were always working. We had no place to go. School was where we stayed, where we learned, where I built character, respect, and that’s what hopefully you guys all learn, too.”

He reminded the teens how much the faculty and staff care for them — and are counting on them.

“The teachers here are working so hard to just give you the best that they can, because they know you guys are the future for our children,” he added. “You know that I love you and honor each and every one of you. All of us care for you.”

The Milken award is unrestricted, to be used as the recipient sees fit. It is presented to teachers or principals midway in their careers to recognize accomplishments and egg them on. The goal is to reward, motivate and inspire current and future educators.

Kang, 43, started the first STEM class at Aiea High, guiding seniors who had no coding experience into a new field, using technology to help tackle real-world problems.

He has helped his colleagues collaborate by training them on Google Classroom, Google Docs and Infinite Campus. He has run workshops to help the seven schools in the Aiea complex improve their communications systems and computer software. He helps guide robotics programs at the school and leads Tech Nights to help families in the community.

“He’s the brains behind everything,” declared Pua McManus, a special-education teacher, at the festive assembly, which included performances by the school’s band and hula halau. “We call on him for everything. I’m so happy for him!”

Kang co-chairs Aiea High’s academic review team to improve student achievement. And when the speech and debate club lost its adviser, he stepped up.

“He helped us a lot this year to keep that program alive,” said Jonah Lorica, a junior on the speech and debate team. “He really cares about us. The previous adviser left the school, so we were scrambling. He took us in and said, ‘I’ll help you guys out.’”

Lorica added, “He’s always fixing things. I see him all over the place.”