Top Teachers
Saturday, February 21, 1998Name: Wendy Tokumine
Age: 51
Position: Farrington High math teacher
Education: University of Hawaii, UCLA
Pastimes: Piano, gardening, crafts, traveling
Four years ago, Wendy Tokumine began exposing students to a new way of learning math. Motivating minds for math
Tokumine launched the Interactive Mathematics Program at Farrington High School to get students more motivated in the learning process.
The state pilot program breaks away from traditional math courses by integrating reading, writing and math into the classroom, she said. Students, for instance, do mind-stimulating group projects and mini-research papers.
Tokumine recently won a prestigious national award, including a $7,500 grant, from the National Science Foundation. She and three other Hawaii teachers will get the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Award at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June.
"My main reason for applying was for the money" to help the school, not for personal gain or recognition, said Tokumine, who's been teaching at Farrington for 21 years. The money will benefit the school's Science and Technology Learning Center and Interactive Mathematics Program, she said.
As chairwoman of the math department, Tokumine always looks for ways to be innovative in the classroom, Principal Catherine Payne said.
"She just emerges like a leader," Payne said. "She's recognized for the hard work she does, her willingness to take risks and be progressive to help the school."
Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
