Name: Sandra Ting
Age: 54
Position: Kindergarten teacher, Hokulani Elementary
Education: University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Arts and crafts, reading
"I have my rules, but I believe there should be love and respect between teachers and students," said Ting. "I tell my students to keep their hands to themselves, to respect each other's space. We treat each other the way we want to be treated."
Ting said her students learn together "so we are all on common ground."
Her inspiration comes from Jerome Harste, an author and lecturer.
"I attended a workshop with Horste and came away with the belief that all children can read and write at their own level. It doesn't matter how they spell. If they can get their thoughts down on paper, that's all that counts."
Ting is retiring this year after 31 years of teaching.
Bruce Tabashnik, father of a former student of Ting, said when his family moved to the mainland, Ting helped his son adjust to the move by writing letters of support. At first, Tabashnik said he thought Ting was too strict because his son would have homework every night. But he credits her for his son's love of learning.
"She would always encourage the kids to try harder," he said. "She gave her students the sense that school is an opportunity, not a job."