Six Central Educators Complete Teaching Standards Training

Hawaii’s public school classrooms include hundreds of teachers who have com- pleted the rigorous process of meeting national teaching standards. This year alone, 59 new candidates successfully completed the months-long course and benchmarks, and another dozen instructors renewed their certification.

Among the 2012 teachers who have met National Board of Professional Teaching Standards requirements are six individuals who live and/or teach in Central Oahu. According to the official state list, they are Sheldon Ormsby, a Mililani High world languages teacher from Laie; Mary Elizabeth Thompson, a Waialua High and Intermediate math teacher from Waialua; Marc Tolentino, a Mililani High English teacher; Cynthia Tong, a Mililani High social studies teacher; Janis Maki, a Waipahu High math teacher from Wahiawa; and Suzanne Carter, a Nimitz Elementary literacy teacher from Wahiawa.

“Every day, these accomplished teachers are having a positive impact on students in Hawaii,” said Terry Holck, who chairs the Hawaii State Teacher Standards Board.

At a recognition ceremony earlier this year. Gov. Neil Abercrombie also pointed out: “These teachers exhibit an admirable commitment to excellence by voluntarily honing and demonstrating their knowledge and skills through a nationally recognized model of performance-based assessments.”