Top Teachers
Saturday, September 5, 1997
Name: Jean Uemura
Age: 53
Position: Teacher, Paia School
Education: University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Volleyball, basketball coordinator
Jean Uemura shows students what's needed to achieve their dreams, then helps them get there. Giving her all for the kids
"I don't tell them that's not going to be possible," said Uemura, a teacher at Paia School.
Principal Ione Isobe said Uemura helps the school in many, many ways. She is a reading enrichment teacher, grade-level chairwoman, mathematics enrichment teacher, a faculty member on the School/Community-Based Management team, and volleyball and basketball coordinator.
"Jean even makes home visits when parents can't come to school," Isobe said. "I don't think I've ever heard Jean say no when it comes to helping children."
Uemura says she needs to work hard to help the school, which has a staff of only 20 teachers.
She said many parents have two to three jobs. She wants students to keep in mind that with education, they could have one good job that provides a comfortable life. "I always want them to achieve their highest potential," she said.
Uemura said she became the coordinator of the school's volleyball and basketball teams because she wanted to reach students who may have academic or personal problems.
Uemura, raised on a nearby farm in Omaopio, said her father, Sadao Otani, stressed education.
Although he never graduated from high school, he taught himself by reading books and gave guidance to his children.
Gary Kubota, Star-Bulletin
