Name: Gertrude "Trudi" Vierra
Age: 35
Position: Teacher, Pukalani Elementary
Education: University of San Diego
Pastimes: Tennis, free diving

"She is a fantastic teacher," said Principal Ruth Silberstein. "She goes out of the way to help the kids and give of her time. She has the skill to deal with all types of students."

Vierra said she looks forward to working with students. "It's something I really enjoy doing," she said. "It's pretty much exciting."

Coming from a family with seven children, Vierra developed her social skills early.

At Lahainaluna High School, she was student body class president while also a member of the National Honor Society. "I tried to mingle with all sorts of different people," she said.

She said the experience has helped her in the classroom. "It helps me accept the different types of students I have," she said.

Vierra said she had some good teachers in high school and her parents passed on their solid foundation in ethics, including the value of hard work.

Her father, Anthony Vierra, worked as a park caretaker for many years, eventually becoming a state parks superintendent on Maui. Her late moth er, Gertrude, was a cook at Sacred Hearts School.

All seven children graduated from college. "They (her parents) never attended college but knew education was extremely important," she said.