New year brings changes for 2013-14
Ms. McGee, Ms. Nacua and Ms. Podlewski come aboard at KS Maui
Photo by Jaylin Kekiwi
Among all the changes in store for this school year, some things remain the same, like a service by Kahu Kalani Wong. Sophomores Kahea Andrade and Mahie Kama listen to him at the convocation on the first day of school, August 5, 2013.
August 10, 2013
PUKALANI – With a new year comes new changes. Students have been buzzing around campus about all the shiny new things and happenings — new uniform rules, new schedules, new check-in, new laptop distribution — and among all the changes are three faces, fresh to the campus and eager to educate and assist the students of Kamehameha Schools Maui.
We sent our brand new first-year staffers to get the lowdown. Get to know our new staff members!
THE SPEECH TEACHER
Q: What’s your name?
A: Ms. Victoria McGee.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I went to Atlantic University for a BFA in theater, BA for English and teaching, and also the University of Arizona for an MA in education, [as well as the] University of Phoenix for counseling.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: About 20 years.
Q: What subjects have you taught?
A: Speech, Theater, high school English, middle school Language Arts, and English as a Second Language.
Q: What school(s) did you teach at before coming here?
A: Various schools in Tucson, Arizona.
Q: Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of school?
A: I love comedy improv, riding horses, snorkeling, watching movies and plays, and reading.
Q: Why do you teach?
A: I love being around teenagers and kids.
Q: What makes you excited about working at KS Maui?
A: I’m excited about spending time with students.
Q: What is something that students would be interested in knowing about you?
A: I have a few audiobooks that I have recorded.
THE BIOLOGY TEACHER
Q: What’s your name?
A: Brooke Mahealani Nacua.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I went to UCLA.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: I’ve been teaching for 14 years.
Q: What subjects have you taught?
A: Almost everything, actually! Except English, PE, languages, music.
Q: What other school(s) have you taught at?
A: I previously taught at Maui High School.
Q: What are your other interests outside of school?
A: You know, life is really busy. I’m just trying to get my son busy and off to college.
Q: Why do you teach?
A: I love teaching. I love kids, I love teenagers, I love making a difference in people’s lives.
Q: What makes you excited about teaching at KS Maui?
A: I’ve always wanted to – I’ve always had a passion for wanting to do something better for the Hawaiian community. Since I like teaching, and I have been doing it for quite some time, this was how I decided to do it.
Q: What’s something students would be interested in knowing about you?
A: I can make a mean haole brownie.
THE LIBRARY ASSISTANT
Q: What’s your name?
A: Shayna Kau’i’okapua’alahinano Podlewski
Q: Where did you attend college?
A: I went to UH Maui.
Q: How long have you been in education?
A: It’s very new for me, this is actually my first year.
Q: What other subjects have you taught?
A: I’ve done Ho’olauna summer programs, where talk about a’apua’a.
Q: Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of school?
A: Hula and oli are very prominent in my life. I also love to obtain and exchange knowledge and pass it on to [students].
Q: What are some things that students would be interested about knowing you?
A: I love to create natural dyes, and would like to have a class in which [students] are able to create natural Hawaiian dyes and learn about the cultural part of it.
