DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Katherine Nakamura posed with her Moanalua Elementary fourth-graders yesterday after receiving the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Simple skills
help teacher thrive

Colleagues recognize Katherine
Nakamura's humor and humility

With cameras focused on her and 600 students waiting eagerly, Moanalua Elementary teacher Katherine Nakamura groped for words after being named the surprise winner of a $25,000 National Educator Award yesterday.

"I wish I knew -- I would have brushed my hair and put some makeup on," the willowy 33-year-old declared after a moment, triggering a burst of laughter through the crowd assembled in the cafeteria.

Her sense of humor and ability to connect with all kinds of children -- and colleagues -- helped Nakamura become one of 100 teachers being honored this month with 2004-2005 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards. The awards, which recipients can use in any way they choose, are given to exceptional young teachers and principals who show leadership in their schools.

"I felt completely unworthy," the fourth-grade teacher told reporters later. "You watch these awards being given to the cream of the crop, you never consider yourself to be part of that group. I never even imagined in my wildest dreams."

Nakamura's "humble self-confidence and collaborative skills" make her a natural leader on the campus, according to Betty Mow, the complex area superintendent who nominated her for the award. In and out of the classroom, she serves as a role model.

"She is sometimes very funny," said one of her students, 9-year-old Emma Cochran. "She's like a comedian. It makes me want to be one, too. She makes all these voices."

Classmate Gabrielle Wright agreed. "She makes things easier for us to learn," she said. "She makes it more fun."

Nakamura's passion is writing, and she helps students incorporate it into their learning. She tailors her approach to the styles and abilities of her students. Working with a speech therapist, she helped an autistic child in her class produce his own book of metaphors that he called "Crocodile Tears," with a written explanation and original drawing for each.

Nakamura, who is married and has a young daughter, wrote a lilting, soothing children's book, "Song of Night," published in March 2002 by Scholastic Inc. Illustrated by her mother, Linnea Riley, the book was recognized last year as one of the top 10 books for babies and toddlers by the Pittsburgh-based literacy organization, Beginning With Books.

She brings the same gentle, patient approach to her job as well, said her principal, Ronald Hirai. "She's really deserving of this recognition," he said.

Nakamura, whose nickname is Katie, graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland in 1993 and received a master's degree in teaching from Seattle University in 1995. She has been teaching for nine years, six of them at Moanalua. Her goal is to instill a love of learning in her students.

"Learning isn't only about being in the classroom," she said, "but finding something you like to do and seeing it through."

Mow said Nakamura sets high expectations. "It's apparent in the classroom, and the children enjoy it," Mow said. "It's not a chore."

Those high standards date back to Katie Riley's childhood.

"My whole life I grew up with my parents at the dinner table practically drilling me, on what I should be doing and achieving in school, and since I was a twin, it was doubled," Nakamura said. "I said, I'd never do that."

"And here I am, doing it, telling my students what I want them to achieve and setting expectations maybe higher than they would themselves."

Nakamura said she doesn't know how she'll use the $25,000 cash award she won. "I have no idea," she said. "Something toward my education, something I can give to the kids, something I can give back to Moanalua."