Top Teacher

Name: Agnes Terao-Guiala
Age: 49
Position: English teacher, Maui High
Education: University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Hula, Hawaiian quilting, writing poetry

Once, she stepped in for a departing teacher who offered a course on supernatural literature and comics as literature.

One of her most difficult teaching assignments was as a sixth-grade physical education instructor. Her major was English and home economics, and she found herself reading volumes on soccer and tennis to learn the games.

"It taught me to be flexible," she said. "You've got to be really flexible in life."

Vice Principal Randy Yamanuha said Terao-Guiala's experiences have made her among the most skillful teachers at Maui High School.

"She's good," he said. "She's one of the best teachers."

She's chairwoman of the school's English Department, teaches advance placement classes in British literature, and is the head coach of Maui High's Academic Decathalon team, which competes with other schools in subjects from math to literature.

A major part of her work focuses on preparing students for college.

"A magic moment occurred when one of my students graduated from the Naval Academy," she said. "I got an invitation."

She said she enjoys teaching high school students. "They keep me young."