Position: Librarian
School: Ala Wai Elementary School
School District: Hawaii Public Schools
City, State: Honolulu, HI
Jennifer Moku was nominated by her colleague, Lori Kwee.
"I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Jennifer for five years at Ala Wai Elementary School," said Kwee. "Jennifer is dynamic, super creative, loving, and passionate about embracing a growth mindset. She consistently supports my students in their student-led learning projects. She's incredibly resourceful and brilliant, and she listens to students to support them in their endeavors."
Ms. Moku created videos, Google slides, and public service announcements to spread information about bully prevention and the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. She worked with students in small groups to compose scripts for their presentations to the student body. She also suggested and co-coordinated many school mini-assemblies on the vaquita porpoise, bully prevention, and the power of kindness.
"My fourth graders entered the American Savings Bank Keiki Co. contest, which focused on entrepreneurship. They created a #sharealoha brand to promote kindness and aloha," said Kwee. "Jennifer collaborated with my students to write their scripts for a 'Lion's Lair' theme as a spin off of Shark Tank. Students practiced while Jennifer diligently and patiently empowered them as learners and leaders in their project. After many video tapings, she edited the piece to create a three minute video to submit to American Savings Bank. Although the students did not win the ASB Keiki Co. contest, the life lessons learned, teamwork, and heartfelt efforts are most memorable. To celebrate, she recognized each child as a part of our company, #Sharealoha."
Ms. Moku supports students in the joys of reading. She teaches with excellence, tailoring lessons to enrich units of study for students ranging from preschoolers through fifth graders.
"Hearing Jen read stories, I feel captivated by her storytelling finesse and ability to draw out the best in students," said Kwee. "I appreciate all her support with enrichment, research, project-based learning, and author study. She possesses a positive attitude that reflects her passionate love for children and teaching."
"Jennifer is a LifeChanger. She touched my life in a myriad of levels, all illuminating the essence of teamwork," said Kwee. "One of her favorite quotes is, 'We rise by lifting others.' Jennifer proves to be one of the most loving, compassionate, innovative, positive, and impactful educators I know. She truly is an excellent educator and influencer with her abilities to enrich and empower students, educators, and all those who know her. I truly believe Jennifer is a LifeChanger because of her extraordinary grace and dedication to providing high-quality learning opportunities for all students to succeed. I am very grateful to collaborate and work with such a beautiful educator who exudes aloha."