Debbie Yoshino, ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY’s elementary technology teacher, was recently awarded a $2000 award from the Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers program. Representatives from Farmers Insurance, Mr. Bill Doherty and Ms. Maria Carvalho, surprised Mrs. Yoshino with a ceremonial check during the Monday Morning Assembly on December 12, 2016.
“I didn’t think we had won!” shared Mrs. Yoshino during the award ceremony. “I checked the website on December 1, and saw another school listed, so I thought we didn’t win. I’m totally surprised!”, she said, visibly moved by the honor.
Mrs. Yoshino submitted a proposal to the program describing her vision to design and implement a satellite credit union with her elementary students. The grant she received will be used to purchase the iPads necessary for her and the students to make her idea a reality.
The general public was invited to vote online for their favorite proposal among thousands submitted. Mrs. Yoshino’s proposal was one of the top vote-getters. The $2000 award is distributed through AdoptAClassroom.org, a non-profit organization with the mission to “give teachers a hand and provide needed classroom materials so their students can succeed”. ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY is fortunate to have teachers, like Mrs. Yoshino, who are passionate about educating children and finding ways to engage them in the learning process.
