New year brings changes for 2013-14

Ms. McGee, Ms. Nacua and Ms. Podlewski come aboard at KS Maui

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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.

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!

Ms. McGee is the new speech teacher and Drama Club adviser.
Ms. McGee is the new speech teacher and Drama Club adviser.

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.

Ms. Nacua will be taking over the ninth grade Biology class from Mr. Fujii.
Ms. Nacua will be taking over the ninth grade Biology class from Mr. Fujii.

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.

Ms. Shayna Podlewski, the new library assistant, will be helping Mrs. Ho in Charles Reed Bishop Learning Center.
Ms. Shayna Podlewski, the new library assistant, will be helping Mrs. Ho in Charles Reed Bishop Learning Center.

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.