Disney aids Nuuanu
teacher’s dreams
For his ideas to encourage
By Crystal Kua
pupils, Kevin Chun wins
himself and school $5,000
Star-BulletinAaron Domingo and Christopher Wong were a little nervous while anchoring the first interactive news broadcast of the year at Nuuanu Elementary yesterday morning.
All eyes at the school were on them, and the two sixth-graders knew that millions of people could be watching eventually.
That's because one of the cameras focused on the boys was actually there to chronicle a day in the life of their technology teacher, Kelvin Y.S. Chun, for the Disney Co., which is honoring him as an outstanding teacher.
Chun is one of 39 teachers chosen from more than 75,000 nominations nationwide in Disney's American Teacher Awards.
He will be flown to Los Angeles for an awards show that will be televised on the Disney Channel on Nov. 15. One teacher from the group will be selected Outstanding Teacher of the Year, which carries a $25,000 prize for the teacher and the teacher's school.
For being named an honoree, Chun receives $2,500 and Nuuanu Elementary receives $2,500.
Chun was nominated for the award by an anonymous student, who probably feels the same as his current crop.
"I think he's a really good teacher," Wong said.
"He's talented," Domingo said.
Wong and Domingo are are members of Chun's Technology Club, which assists the rest of the school in learning technology through the "trainer of trainers" process.
"That way, more people can learn," Chun said. "I believe everyone should be given the opportunity to learn technology because they'll be living in the 21st century."
Chun uses computers, video equipment and other multimedia equipment to help children learn.
All the students have a computer portfolio of their work and they use the computer for Internet research and preparing presentations.
During the interactive broadcast, students from across the school are able to answer questions via computers.
Chun's recognition also brings honor to the school as a whole, Principal Eleanor Fujioka said.
"We all feel like we helped in different facets to win this award," Fujioka said, noting that faculty, staff, students and parents have thrown their support behind Chun's ideas. His students say he's always there to help when they need it.
"He helps you to understand," Domingo said.
Fujioka said that Chun's never-ending excitement and his teaching innovations in technology are what make him good at what he does.
"He's continually creating new learning environments," Fujioka said.
"His mind is constantly creating."
That creativity is also evident in Chun's hobbies -- magic, balloon artistry and Asian kites, which he says also has some things in common with his love of technology.
"Once you get into it, you want to learn more," he said.
Chun has also been named the Honolulu District's teacher of the year.
He along with the other six district teachers of the year are in the running for state Teacher of the Year, which will be announced by the Board of Education Oct. 7.
