Top Teachers
Saturday, May 30, 1998
Name: Martha Evans
Age: 48
Position: Sixth-grade teacher at Lanai High and Elementary School
Education: University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Reading, Hawaiian crafts
Martha Evans was inspired by her grandmother to become a teacher. She 'touches the future'
Emily Thomas taught for 29 years until her retirement in 1953 from Aina Haina Elementary School, when Evans was just 3 or 4 years old.
"When she retired, she taught me how to read. She was just a really good influence."
Evans, who has been teaching at Lanai High and Elementary School for 21 years, said her goal is to teach students how to make decisions based on informed choices.
"Working with kids and seeing them become confident young adults is a reward in itself," she said. "When you teach, you touch the future. That saying is used so often, over and over again, but it's true."
Evans is committed to improving the school curriculum. She's chairperson of the language arts and social studies department for the secondary level, grades 6 to 12, and voluntarily coordinates the school's mentoring program for new and experienced teachers. The program, which is in its third year, is intended to help new teachers make a smoother transition into the classroom.
"She's highly dedicated and committed to the profession and really cares about her students' education," Principal Norma Barroga said.
"She focuses on what is good for the children and the school."
But Evans said her work is never done alone. "All of the teachers at our school are top teachers."
Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
