Aaron 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.
Kelvin Chun: Magical Teacher
With the new millennium underway, teachers like Kelvin Y. S. Chun ('82, '83, '95 UHM; '85, '86 Leeward CC) face the greater mission and challenge to provide students with the right tools to being successful.
Chun has a special gift of digging deep inside and unlocking the magic that lies within every student.
Chun, a technology resource teacher at Nu`uanu Elementary School, has received numerous teaching recognitions. Last year he received Disney's American Teacher Award and was named the 1999 Honolulu District Teacher of the Year.
"I found my most rewarding experiences in teaching children of all levels, abilities, backgrounds and experiences," Chun says.
He was one of only 39 teachers selected from more than 75,000 nominations received by the Walt Disney Company. Disney's American Teacher Award recognizes the teaching profession, showcases creativity in the classroom and honors those who assist in developing creative teaching strategies.
As an honoree, Chun received $2,500 and another $2,500 went to Nu`uanu Elementary School.
"I have experienced teaching math and technology classes in eight elementary and secondary schools in three of Hawai`i's seven districts for more than 15 years," Chun says. "I believe that all students can attain the level of standards required given the opportunity and time."
While his accomplishments are impressive, Chun says the awards are just a bonus to the rewards he receives from teaching.
"The most gratifying experience is to see change at the school level by developing innovative programs to support student learning," Chun explains.
Aside from teaching, Chun is a talented magician, balloon artist and
kite enthusiast. He discovered that learning magic was a valuable tool to support teaching and learning--a hobby that invests in itself.
--by Teri Yanagawa
Number Seventeen
Spring 2000
Kelvin YS Chun, teacher at Nuuanu Elementary School and a 1995 graduate of the College, was named 1999 Honoree in Disney's American Teacher Awards. Mr. Chun was one of only 39 teachers selected from more than 75,000 nominations the Walt Disney Company received. He was honored at the Disney celebration cablecast on Disney Channel on November 15.
Teachers in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are selected for their innovative teaching methods that actively engage students in learning. Chun will also attend a summer institute where he and other honorees will share and explore innovative teaching approaches and then design a professional development action plan that will implement in their school districts during the 2000-2001 school year.
"Disney's American Teacher Awards is an honor," said Laurie Lang, senior vice president, the Walt Disney Company. "But to the Walt Disney Company, they're also an investment -- an investment in teachers who have that special gift of digging deep inside and unlocking the imagination we all know lies within every child. Kelvin YS Chun is one of those teachers." Kelvin was also named Hawai'i Teacher of the Year for the Honolulu District.
Other COE alumni who were named Teacher of the Year from their respective districts include: Violet Chang, Central; Adrian Galvez, Leeward; DeWayne Kong, Kauai, and Elly Tepper, Windward.