Top Teachers
Saturday, June 27, 1998
Name: Brian Tsutsui
Age: 29
Position: Kaimuki High School social studies teacher
Education: University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Softball, basketball and weightlifting
Each year, students in Brian Tsutsui's Kaimuki High School class learn what it's like to run their own business. Bringing out students' talents
Last semester, for instance, juniors posted advertisements, distributed tickets and took on the task of financing a talent show, said Tsutsui, who teaches an applied economics elective through the Junior Achievement program. They successfully turned an entrepreneurial project into a profit-making enterprise.
"They pulled it off, and they did a good job," he said.
Such projects teach students to take risks and go beyond their comfort zone, he said. "When you see students proud of something that they thought perhaps they couldn't do, that's a really good feeling."
Among his noteworthy accomplishments, Tsutsui won the prestigious Sally Mae award, given to first-year teachers, when he started at Kaimuki High six years ago. But the most rewarding experience is having former students come back and share their success stories, he said.
"Those kinds of things, more than any kind of award or certificate of recognition, motivate and inspire me."
Principal Raelene Chock said Tsutsui makes learning fun in the classroom. "He has a very good relationship and rapport with the students and helps make learning more exciting beyond the classroom walls," Chock said.
Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
