A future and a current teacher awarded grants for their pursuit to impact local education

Two Kauaʻi educators – one future, one current – were awarded grants for their dedication to homegrown education.

The Hawai‘i Education Association, a nonprofit organization founded more than 100 years ago to support educators and aspiring teachers, recently awarded grants to Kanoe Haneberg, a student pursuing a teaching career, and Keila Yael Santaella, an educator seeking state licensure.

Haneberg, an Anahola resident, comes from a family of teachers, starting with her grandparents who are Hawai‘i Education Association members. She will be pursuing an education degree at Westminster University, a private, nonprofit, accredited liberal arts university in Salt Lake City, and received a $2,000 grant for her studies.

“I have been around the teaching world the majority of my life,” Haneberg said. “My experience at Kapaʻa Elementary School was unmatched. Because of the numerous fond memories at this school, I knew I wanted to give other kids that same feeling.”

Haneberg graduated from Kapaʻa High School this past May while simultaneously earning an associate degree in liberal arts from Kauaʻi Community College. She also served as a student helper at Kapaʻa Elementary School since she was a high school sophomore.

“My ultimate goal is to move back home and teach at Kapaʻa Elementary School. I hope to contribute to the educational growth of the youth in my community and foster a love of learning,” Haneberg said.

Santaella, a Līhuʻe resident, is a digital media production and yearbook teacher at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. In her first year of teaching, she guided students in producing daily video morning announcements for the entire school and led an interisland field trip to participate in the Shoots Summit Hawaiʻi media competition.

“My specific passion lies in teaching digital media production and yearbook because both areas empower students to tell their own stories, amplify their voices, and develop practical 21st-century skills,” she said. “Through these creative platforms, I help students explore their identities, work collaboratively, and gain confidence in their ability to communicate meaningfully with the world around them.”

In the same year, Santaella led an interisland field trip to participate in the Shoots Summit Hawaiʻi media competition, where students earned four first-place awards as they showcased their storytelling talent on a statewide stage.

“Additionally, student-produced content from my class was selected and broadcast on ‘HIKI NŌ’ on PBS Hawaiʻi, giving students the powerful opportunity of seeing their work reach public television audiences,” Santaella said. “These experiences reflect the transformative impact media education can have when students are supported in telling their own stories.”

Santaella is one of the 13 teachers enrolled in the University of Hawaiʻi’s educator preparation programs, which lead to state licensure. Her $1,000 award was funded through a grant from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Grant-in-Aid program.

This year, the HEA awarded a total of $35,580 in scholarships and grants to 29 individuals at various stages of their teaching careers, from high school graduates entering college to experienced educators pursuing professional development opportunities to expand their teaching capabilities.

Those interested in supporting student and teacher grants may visit the Hawaiʻi Education Association website to make donations online.