Congratulations to this year’s outstanding educators who have been recognized by the Board of Regents, UH System, and Kapiʻolani Community College for their excellence in teaching and contributions to education.
2022-2023 Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award – Tiffany-Joy Kawaguchi, OTD, OTR/L, Program Director of Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award (BOR ETA) honors educators for their excellence in subject mastery, teaching effectiveness, creativity, and academic and student support. The Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award recipient is selected from nominations that come primarily from the students.
“Dr. Tiff is undeniably dedicated to enabling her students to succeed. She accommodates numerous learning styles, grades fairly, and offers detailed feedback so we know how to improve. Everything we’re tested on is relevant, and although her assessments and projects are challenging, we are always well-prepared and well-supported. Despite the endless list of things she has to do, she makes each one of us feel valued.”
2022-2023 Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award – Tiffany-Joy Kawaguchi, OTD, OTR/L, Program Director of Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
2022-2023 Excellence in Online Teaching Award – Maegan Walker, Ph.D., Psychology Instructor
The VCAA Excellence in Online Teaching Award (EOTA) recognizes outstanding educators who teach online courses at Kapi‘olani Community College. The Excellence in Online Teaching Award nomination criteria focused on a strong educational philosophy appropriate to online teaching and learning, an outstanding and engaging course site, and meaningful interaction with students.
“Dr. Walker makes me excited to learn, she’s an outstanding teacher and she cares deeply for her students. Her supplemental lectures help my understanding of the material and her slides and lectures are fun and exciting. The course page Dr. Walker designed is engaging and is warm and inviting. I can tell Dr. Walker put a lot of effort into the design of the course homepage as well as course materials and supplemental lectures. The only thing that would make this course better is if it were in person.”
2022-2023 Excellence in Online Teaching Award – Maegan Walker, Ph.D., Psychology Instructor
Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching – Aaron Hanai, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering in the STEM Program
The Frances Davis Award is a memorial to the late Frances Davis who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Mānoa for 19 years. Frances Davis was an inspired teacher dedicated to sharing her knowledge of mathematics with undergraduates attending the University of Hawaiʻi. The award recognizes recipients for their dedication to teaching, for their demonstrated excellence as teachers, and for their attention to undergraduate students.
“As a former student of Aaron Hanai’s basic circuit analysis course and as a mentee for over two years, I can confidently state that he was not only an excellent teacher but also a warm and approachable mentor who positively impacted my studies and demonstrated professional expertise as exhibited in teaching success. While in his class, I was impressed by the organization of his course and it was clear he was dedicated to providing an engaging and student-friendly experience.”
Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching – Aaron Hanai, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering in the STEM Program