A first-grade teacher from Kapaʻa Elementary is among 16 educators recognized as Hawai‘i’s 2027 Complex Area and Charter School Teachers of the Year.
Tammy Carvalho will join the other honorees Sept. 21 at a ceremony at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i on O‘ahu, where one of them will be announced as the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.
The teacher selected will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National Teacher of the Year Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
In addition to representing Hawaiʻi nationally, the state Teacher of the Year will work with educational leaders to promote excellence in the teaching profession and support Hawaiʻi’s public schools, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i Department of Education.
Carvalho has worked with the state department of education for seven years, but has been a teacher for more than two decades. She said she always knew she wanted to become a teacher because she loves helping others learn.
“As I spent more time working with children, I realized the impact a caring teacher can have on a child’s confidence and future,” Carvalho said, adding she still loves watching those “light bulb” moments when students realize they can do something they once thought was impossible.
As a first-grade teacher, Carvalho said she loves watching her students grow in confidence and discover what they are capable of.
“Every day, I get to celebrate their successes, both big and small, while creating a classroom where every child feels smart, important and loved,” she said. “Helping children believe in themselves and develop a love for learning is the greatest reward of all.”
The Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educators from a statewide teaching workforce of more than 13,000. The recognition highlights the extraordinary work of Hawaiʻi’s educators and the vital role teachers play in inspiring students, strengthening schools and shaping the future of Hawaiʻi.
Click here to learn more about all the teachers recognized statewide.
