Top Teachers
Saturday, April 25, 1998
Name: David Loveless
Age: 52
Position: Moanalua Intermediate School teacher
Education: Westmont College
Pastimes: Singing, softball
David Loveless makes it a point that students learn one new vocabulary word a week. Making each word count
Loveless, eighth-grade language arts teacher at Moanalua Intermediate School, launched the Word of the Week five years ago as a way for students to build a better vocabulary. "Bombastic," "enigmatic" and "quixotic" are some of the words he's posted on a bulletin board in the school's courtyard.
Each word is colorfully displayed with its definition and word origin, and broadcast on closed-circuit television.
At the end of the school year, students vote on the Word of the Year, prominently displayed on a huge banner and decorated with balloons.
"The hope is a year, or two, or three down the road, they'll see the word somewhere and go, 'Oh, I remember that word,'" he said. "I would be willing to bet that that happens."
Loveless also lends his musical talent to the classroom. Last year, when students were learning the word "lactose," for instance, Loveless wrote a song about LactAid and students loved it.
Loveless, who's been teaching at Moanalua for nearly 20 years, is consistently searching for new and creative ways to help students build their vocabulary and become better writers, Principal Caroline Wong said.
"He's just one of those teachers who has boundless energy and enthusiasm, combined with a heart for kids," Wong said. "That's a wonderful thing."
Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
