Top Teachers
Saturday, October 4, 1997
Name: Valerie Carvalho
Age: 59
Position: Elementary school teacher
Education: University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Family, reading and St. Louis football
Seek a child's strength, and there he will excel. Looking for a child's best
Valerie Carvalho, 59, used that simple philosophy for 31 years at Aina Haina Elementary School and continues to use it today as a substitute teacher.
"My philosophy has always been to educate the whole child, not just academically but in every area," she said. "I think every child needs to find what he or she is good at, and sometimes it's not academics."
Every student, she asserts, needs to be challenged.
"I expect the best from them. And if they don't give me their best, they get pushed to do it. I like to see them in different lights, find a little area that they're good at because some kids never excel academically but then 'find' themselves in other areas," she said.
Carvalho's style wasn't lost on Baltimore Ravens player Leo Goeas, who has nominated her for National Football League Teacher the Year. This month, Carvalho was told by NFL officials she's one of 10 finalists, with the winner to be announced in January at the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
Goeas told Carvalho he nominated her because of nonacademic activities she organized, such as track meets, drama productions and pep squads/rallies.
"I was kind of amazed like that," she said. "I've taught a lot of kids that way. I've had kids come back to me and tell me you started me on this and that. Its kind of nice because Leo, being famous, sort of brings it all together for everybody."
Pat Omandam, Star-Bulletin
