PRISM Teachers
Jessica Souder
Education History:
BA in Elementary Education, Minor in Plant Sciences from the University of Arizona.
GK-12 Project:
5th grade, Keaukaha Elementary School, working on developing an Environment: Plants and Insects unit in the second quarter and teaching Open Oceans Unit in third quarter.
Fun Facts:
What is not fun about me? :)
Lei Fa'anunu
Education History:
Bachelors from Brigham Young University Hawaii
GK-12 Project:
5th grade, Keaukaha Elementary School working with Michelle Norman on developing a Environments: Plants and Insects Unit.
Fun Facts:
My first name is Hawaiian, my last name is Tongan and I look Japanese! Haha! I have five children ages nine and under.
Noe Taum
Education History:
Bachelors of Education, 1994, University of Hawai'i - Manoa
Professional Diploma in Education, 1995, University of Hawai'i - Manoa
GK-12 Project:
6th grade Keaukaha Elementary School. Working with Sierra Tobiason developing Hawaiian Open Oceans Part II: Primary producers to Marine Megafauna.
Fun Facts:
I enjoy spending time with my family-jumping on the trampoline and playing Wii.
Rochelle Tamiya
Education History:
B.A. Biology 1991, UH-Hilo; Teaching Certificate-Secondary Science, UH-Hilo.
GK-12 Project:
7th grade Life Science at Hilo Intermediate. Working with Springer Kaye on Forest Restoration and Ecology.
Fun Facts:
Loves baseball, basketball, ocean sports such as fishing, diving etc. Grew to LOVE science because of those who loved to teach me to enjoy it (doing it)…science rules!
Lurl Agbayani
Education History:
General Clerical Certificate,1986- Hilo Community College
Associate Degree in Liberal Arts,1988- Hilo Community College
B.A. in Sociology, 1993. University of Hawaii-HIlo
Elementary Teaching Certificate, 1993. University of Hawaii-Hilo
GK-12 Project :
I am a fourth grade teacher at Keaukaha Elementary School. I will be working with Anya Tagawa on developing a curriculum about Native Forest in Hawaii. This will be my first year working with PRISM and I am very eager to collaborate, create and integrate pertinent science lessons in our classrooms.
Fun Facts:
I love to read suspense novels, travel, swim, and camp out at a “five star” hotel.
Michele Sasaki-Cann
Education History:
B.A. in Elementary Education, Minor in psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
GK-12 Project:
I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at Keaukaha Elementary School. I’m looking forward to working with Casey (grade level partner) and Whitney (PRISM fellow) on a unit involving Invasive Animals in Hawaii. I know it’ll be an exciting year for all of us!!!
Fun Facts:
I enjoy listening to Hawaiian music, art, and trying out new recipes. I have two beautiful daughters who keep me extremely busy. Things I love…..my family, living in Hawaii, and teaching.
Steve Zeiher
Education:
University of Idaho, B.S. Range Resource Management, 1975-1980
University of Hawaii Hilo, B.A. Biology, 1995-1999
University of Hawaii Hilo, Teacher Education Program, 1999-2000
Prism Project:
9th year of teaching 7th grade Life Science at Waiakea Intermediate
School. Will be working with Jon Eldon to develop a freshwater/
watershed curriculum
Fun Facts:
Golf fanatic and love to travel
Kristen Miyazono
Education:
UH Hilo, Major in natural science, minor in biology
GK-12 Project:
Going into 8th year of teaching at Waiakea Intermediate. I currently
teach 7th grade life science and have taught math and earth science
in the past. Will be working with Jon Eldon to develop a freshwater/
watershed curriculum
Fun Facts:
I am also involved with WIS Robotics team, advised Botball for three
years, and will be starting a VEX team this school year.
Travis Toriano
Education History:
B.S. Microbiology Washington State University 2004
Teaching Certificate University of Hawaii at Hilo 2005
GK-12 Project:
7th Grade Hilo Intermediate Life Science working with Springer Kaye. Forest/Restoration Ecology.
Fun Facts:
Enjoy ocean outdoor activities and recreational sports. Waiakea High School Tennis Coach.
Tina Rizor
Education History:
B.A. Elementary Ed, University of Wyoming
M.A. Reading, University of Wyoming.
GK-12 Project:
Working on developing the 1st grade curriculum the Animal Ahupua`a with bobby Hsu.
Fun Facts:
No human grandchildren yet...but meanwhile she enjoys cooking anything sweet, salty and/or fatty from Southernfoods.com!
Donna Foster
Education History:
B.B.S. UH-Manoa with emphasis in Travel Industry Management
Teaching Certificate UH-Hilo
Education Professional UH-Hilo
GK-12 Project:
Working on developing a plant and animal science curriculum for 1st graders.
Fun Facts:
I love to gamble in Las Vegas and Travel. I will eat exotic foods if someone will cook it for me. ☺ I’ve eaten fugu soup (Puffer fish) and survived, chocolate covered ants, and a few moths that accidentally flew in my mouth when I was jogging. When I retire I will work for a travel agency or airline so I can do more traveling.
Heather Hand
Lynn Fujii