As Superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education, Christina Kishimoto (Ed.D. 鈥�02) channels her late TC mentor, psychologist L. Lee Knefelkamp. 鈥淪he never said 鈥榥o,鈥欌�� recalls Kishimoto. 鈥淪he understood cultural contexts and only asked, 鈥榃hat do you want and how can I help you get there?鈥欌��
Hawaii is separated from the Bronx, where Kishimoto grew up, by 5,000 miles and a world of differences (pineapples, huge waves, active volcanoes), yet Kishimoto sees the similarities, including a highly diverse school system. 鈥淚 grew up with black kids, kids from the Caribbean and Central America. I visited my grandparents in Puerto Rico and love island cultures. It feels like I鈥檝e come home.鈥�
Christina Kishimoto (Photo: Courtesy of Christina Kishimoto)
Kishimoto 鈥� previously schools chief in Hartford and suburban Phoenix 鈥� appreciates one Hawaiian difference: State and local schools operate as one system, meaning 鈥淚 can promote more cohesive policy decisions, budget allocations and planning.鈥�
Kishimoto doesn鈥檛 dictate policy, but can directly shape 鈥渇unding and flexible policy structures that allow for unique innovation鈥� and help schools change unsuccessful practices and strengthen successful ones. Before and on her watch, the state has embraced STEM learning, achieved 鈥渄ouble-digit鈥� gains on the National Assessment for Educational Progress and narrowed performance gaps for at-risk students.
Challenges remain. Teacher attrition is high, reflecting steep living costs and affordable housing shortages. Kishimoto has launched recruitment and retention incentives in high-poverty areas and special education. Meanwhile, she鈥檚 visiting all 292 of Hawaii鈥檚 public and charter schools. In February, she praised Ala Wai Elementary School for its 鈥淟eave a Legacy鈥� Mural.
鈥淒ream big and achieve your goals, so your picture can be on the legacy mural, as well,鈥� she told students. 鈥淵our teachers and your great staff are here to help.鈥�
Lee Knefelkamp would undoubtedly say, 鈥渋 ka mea e ai.鈥�*