Top Teachers
Saturday, October 17, 1998
Name: Kim Balisacan
Age: 30
Position: Art/humanities teacher
Education: BFA in sculpture, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Pastimes: Beach, films, travel
To understand art is to love it, experience it and appreciate it. St. Andrew's Priory alum Kim Balisacan does all of the above and teaches it, too. Women got the power
Straight out of high school, she toured the United States and explored 18 countries before settling in at UH-Manoa to complete her degree. Balisacan said her travels make her teachings come alive. Because she's seen most of what's in the students' textbooks, she can add flavor to what may be a dull lesson.
"I can tell them I paid 25 cents to get into the Pyramids or how cheap it was to travel (in certain countries). I can relate to them. They get excited because I'm excited. It's kind of neat to see that kind of enthusiasm."
As academic director of the new Priory Institute for Women, which aims to raise awareness of women's issues, she encourages students to be enthusiastic about themselves, also. Strength inside leads to empowerment and personal success, Balisacan said.
"She is almost single-handedly working to raise the awareness of the entire Priory community," said college counselor Belinda Chung. "It's just impressed me with how much she's managed to do."
Balisacan said she's trying to reach as many women as she can, regardless of age. "I want them to know that they can change things," she said, "that they have the power."
Kimberly K. Fu, Star-Bulletin
