An Inspirational Teacher

Back in April 2022, I wrote a blog post titled, “Bold and Visionary Leadership” after sitting in on a virtual session of “Investing in Human Capital.” One of those leaders I highlighted was Candy Suiso; this is what I shared.

Those of us in education know about Candy Suiso, a remarkable educator who started a creative media program at a high school in one of the poorest communities in our state and turned it into a thriving production company where students are creating amazing videos and other media projects. Former students are returning to the school to teach the next generation of creative media students. (Watch Candy's TED-X talk here.)  

Today, my husband and I joined other invited guests, former and present students, community and educational leaders in our State, and proud faculty members and parents to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Reunion and Celebration of Searider Productions. Candy has retired as a teacher but is now the Executive Director of Searider Productions Foundation. In her new role, she has increased the number of real-world commercial and professional projects and opportunities for students. 

We were able to talk with and question students about their projects, and I was impressed with their poise, their confidence, and the quality of the work they produced. Since its inception in 1993, the program has graduated 7,000 students pursuing a Career and Technology Education certification in the study of Arts and Communication. Many have graduated with an Associates Degree in addition to their high school diploma, and a number have returned to their community and their alma mater to work with the next generation of students. Check out their website for more information on the many possibilities for students to learn skills and to contribute to their school or community.

Candy shared that when she first proposed her idea, people were doubtful that she could/would be successful because of the many societal challenges of the Waianae community. But Candy persisted, and her students thrived when given the opportunity to learn through video production. And with funds generated through their commercial and professional products and projects, students are able to travel to gain new experiences, opportunities they may not have had if they were not part of Searider Productions. 

A teacher can make a difference. Candy Suiso graduated from Waianae High School, left to attend college, then returned to teach at her alma mater. One teacher’s dream blossomed into an award-winning program which brings hope and pride to the students, their families, and the community.  

Congratulations to Searider Productions on your 30th Anniversary!

My husband Randy and me with Candy Suiso

Some of the many, many local and national awards won by the students at Searider Productions

Can Our Students and Schools Be Advocates for Change?

 Back in 1993, I was hired to teach first grade at a new “high-tech” elementary school. I remember the trainings we received from Dr. David Perkins of Harvard’s Project Zero and feeling overwhelmed with the information. Then it all came together as our grade level teachers collaborated and created a unit based on the school’s theme of “change.” We titled our unit, “People Bring Change to the Environment.”

Our science resource teacher helped us to make sense of the grade level science standards and suggested that we address the issue of renewable and non-renewable resources.  I recall spending time together as a grade level, learning, discussing, planning, implementing, and reflecting afterwards. It wasn’t easy, but we were making learning rigorous and relevant for our first graders, and we learned about this important issue alongside our students. We started with brainstorming questions and documenting our learning, adding more questions and learnings in the process. We compared data about the amount of trash we were generating as a family, a classroom, a school, and society. We learned about the length of time it takes for different materials to decompose, about the 3 R’s and why it’s important to reduce, reuse, recycle, and so much more as we continued to delve deeper based on student questions. 

As a culminating activity, our students decided to take a walking trip in our community to pick up trash; we didn’t really know what the outcome would be, but the students were excited and determined to make a difference. Each classroom took a different route, and our area included the City Park-and-Ride lot; there was more trash than usual at that location. Some of our students observed that perhaps this was because there were no trash cans there. When we got back to school, we sorted and graphed the trash and the students made observations based on what they had learned. 

But they were most concerned that there were no trash cans at the Park-and-Ride. They wanted to do something about it and brainstormed ideas. Through their research, they found out that the head of the City was the Mayor, and they decided to write letters to him. They knew that the Mayor was  busy, so he might not reply, but they were undeterred.  They wrote in their best handwriting and shared their observation about the trash at the Park-and-Ride and the lack of trash cans. They drew pictures, added some information they learned about trash, and reminded the Mayor that their parents had voted for him. 😊

One morning a few weeks later, a student excitedly announced that they had gone past the Park-and-Ride, and there were trash cans! Our students had made a difference! I was so grateful to the City for listening to our students. I was hopeful that as these students continued in their life, they will remember that they have the capacity to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem to someone else.

This is a memory from 30 years ago, but it is still one of my favorites from my time as a teacher. Every one of my first graders was engaged in this unit of study, and parents shared that it made a difference in their shopping habits as well. I am hopeful that through this unit, students realized that every person can make a difference. Imagine if they had these kinds of experiences throughout their educational journey! School could change from being a place where teachers tell students what they need to learn (so they can do well on a test) to encouraging students’ questions and interests to create the kinds of experiences where students can drive their own learning. 

The students in that first grade classroom are now in their mid-thirties. They may even be parents now. I hope that when they recall their educational journey, they will remember that special time when they made a difference for their community. 

Note: Check out the What School Could Be virtual community to connect with educators who are committed to re-imagining learning for our students. 

Memories from the Past

Back in 2019, I self-published my first book, “Leading with Aloha: From the Pineapple Fields to the Principal’s Office.” (blog “I Did It!😊”) At the time, I encouraged my husband Randy to write his memoir; he has had a much more “colorful” life than me, and his varied professional experiences would surely be an interesting read. I even offered to help him write it, but he still refused. 

Yesterday, Randy posted a memory on Facebook, and that story has triggered forgotten-memories and led to positive comments from his friends. This is the kind of interaction that I enjoy about social media where a photo or post brings a smile to our faces. Randy’s post did that. 

I asked Randy if I could share his post in a blog, and, surprise! He agreed. So here is Randy’s memory. In case  you are wondering, Randy was hospitalized and diagnosed with a heart condition which made him extremely exhausted after walking short distances. Fortunately, he is fine now although he is allergic to penicillin after taking it daily for too long. And the radio no longer works, but it is a keepsake which brings back fond memories for Randy. 

Randy’s Facebook Post, May 31, 2024

Around 1959 (I was in the 7th grade) I had to go into the hospital for several days.  My mom and dad bought me this Zenith transistor radio to keep me company.  I was out of school for several months, and returned for half days only.  This radio was my companion and friend!

Whenever I see this radio today, memories of moments in time come flashing back.  K-POI radio with djs like Ron Jacobs, Tom Moffat, Tom Rounds, the Bearded Bob Lowrie, "Little" Stevie Nicolet, Don Robbs, Dave the Moose Donnelly.  ILH football.  Fabian (the singer???) landing in Hawaii and being helicoptered to KPOI (tried to look for it from my hospital bed  with no success).  The early flights of the Mecury space capsule e.g. Alan Shepard, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, John Glenn -- getting up on school days at 2 a.m. to listen to the launches.  Hearing the news flash that President Kennedy had died.  Listening to K-POI in the late evening while standing on Date Street to view the nuclear explosion over Johnston Island that turned night into day in Honolulu, and knock the K-POI transmission off the air.  Eagerly waiting for K-POI to play Rene Paulo's "Here is Happiness" and calling in often to request it. (my dad was a drummer in Rene's group).

During my stay in the hospital, I was completely bedridden.  So my Zenith and K-POI provided me my only escape day and night.  Songs from that time always take me back to my intermediate school years : e.g. "First Name Initial" by Annette, 'Put Your Head on My Shoulders" by Paul Anka, "West Texas Town of El Paso" by Marty Robbins, "Hush a Bye"; by the Mystics, "Misty" by Johnny Mathis, "Venus" by Frankie Avalon. The list is as long as K-POI's playlist!

These are but a few of the memories I had with my Zenith companion and at my age, there are many wonderful and sad memories that came through my Zenith.