Page 12 - MidWeek - June 16, 2021

12 MIDWEEK JUNE 16, 2021
MIDWEEK COVER STORY
Story by Nicole Monton
Photos by Anthony Consillio
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools faculty and staff, including its top educator for 2020-21 Mary Jane Vannatta, are the driving force behind the state’s next generation of leaders.
After more than 40 years as an educa- tor with Maryknoll School, Mary Jane Vannatta still loves her job. It’s a testa- ment not only to her campus but also the larger organi- zation that serves parochial schools around the state.
of knowledge and under- standing, and has touched hundreds of lives (including Hawai‘i News Now anchor Stephanie Lum) — and those along her instructional jour- ney have taken notice.
lyn Young, superintendent of Hawai‘i Catholic Schools. “I am so pleased she rose to the top. She is so deserving of this award, and it’s nice we can recognize that and give credit where credit is due.”
a brand-new car, courtesy of Aloha Kia, and Par Ha- wai‘i, which operates Hele gas stations around the state, tacked on a $1,000 gift card for fuel. Presenting sponsors Chaminade University of Honolulu, Catholic Schools Hawai‘i, and John and Mary Lou Brogan, meanwhile, awarded Vannatta $1,000.
yond excellence in the class- room, with an emphasis on how students develop spir- itually, socially, physically, cognitively and emotionally. In essence, the focus is on the child as a whole.
academic accomplishments, leadership, service to the school and community, and ability to make a profound difference in the lives of her students, especially in their spiritual lives.
“It has been an awesome experience,” says Vannatta, who was named the 2020-21 Hawai‘i Catholic Schools’ Teacher of the Year. “I still learn a lot from everybody, including my colleagues and students. There’s never a year I don’t learn something new.”
“She reached out to stu- dents who struggled and gave of her time, she reached out to families to make sure they had what they needed, she did what any good Catholic teacher is supposed to do when supporting students, allowing them to grow into responsible citizens, filled with love and compassion; all those things we treasure in our faith,” says Dr. Llewel-
Along with the coveted ti- tle, Vannatta also won some pretty neat prizes, and even garnered one for her beloved campus. She can now dis- play The Golden Pine-“ap- ple” Award with pride, and is more than elated that she was able to earn Maryknoll School $1,500 from Augus- tine Educational Foundation for faculty development.
The middle school edu- cator is the third winner of the annual Teacher of the Year accolade, which hon- ors excellence in education at Catholic elementary and secondary schools statewide. All winners are chosen based on criteria that extend far be-
“All the dimensions of a child must be attended to,” adds Young, noting that this five-pronged approach is Ha- wai‘i Catholic Schools’ foun- dation of child development. “All Catholic schools look at a child holistically, not just academically.”
“Catholic identity is a very important one,” says Young. “Judges looked at how these teachers instill the Catholic faith and identity in their students, how they integrate that into their subject areas. It ties into everything else, from community to school.”
In four decades, Vannat- ta has garnered a plethora
Personally, Vannatta won
In the same comprehen- sive way, Vannatta was cho- sen not only for her success in the classroom, but also her
It’s something that’s res- onated with Vannatta since childhood. She attended St.
SEE PAGE 17