Top Teachers
Saturday, April 11, 1998
Name: Vickie Shiroma
Age: 34
Position: Mililani Mauka Elementary School teacher
Education: Crowns College, Minn.; University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Scrapbooks
Mililani Mauka Elementary School teacher Vickie Shiroma discovered an innovative way to get students interested in math and science. A model way of teaching
Shiroma assigned her fourth-grade class to build small scale models of houses, towers and buildings last year. They learned how to create simple architectural structures out of straw and straight pins, construction paper and other resource materials.
As part of their assignment, students took down measurements and checked for stability and durability. They gained valuable problem-solving and cooperative-group skills, said Shiroma, who recently won a national award for excellence in teaching elementary math.
She is one of four Hawaii teachers to receive the coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science, including a $7,500 grant, from the National Science Foundation. She is expected to accept the award at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Shiroma received her bachelor's degree from Crowns College in Minneapolis and her master's from the University of Hawaii in mathematical instruction. In her leisure time, she enjoys being with her 2-1/2-year-old son.
"She's just a very well-rounded teacher, dedicated to her profession," said Principal Betty Mou, who nominated Shiroma for the award. "I just feel that she's an exemplary teacher, and I'm fortunate to have teachers like her at Mauka."
Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
