Saturday, February 15, 1997
Name: Crystal Valenciano Rowe
Age: 41
Position: Kapaa Intermediate and High School teacher
Education: University of Northern Colorado
Her parents, who worked the west Kauai sugar plantations, instilled a strong emphasis on education. Her older sister, formerly a teacher and now a school administrator, sparked her interest in special education.
And the long-term relationships she develops with the special students at Kapaa Intermediate and High School and their parents also reflect the close ties of ohana. "It really becomes almost like an extended family," said Rowe, who is Kauai District Teacher of the Year.
Rowe's classroom has a comfortable feel that attracts students from outside the program. She thinks they feel safe there, and said a powerful part of her job has been watching "the real special" relationships that develop among the teen-agers.
That interaction is important to her, along with showing the community that special students have a contribution to make. Rowe arranges outside volunteer work programs that introduce local businesses to her students, who in turn gain job experience. She also takes them to banks and grocery stores and other places where they perform practical lessons in math and reading.
The laughter, along with loving compliments and endless kindness from her students and a supportive team of teaching aides, keeps Rowe enthused about her work. "They give me back so much more than I give to them."