St. Joseph Elementary School Faculty

    Sr. Marion Kikukawa, OSF, Principal
    Principal, preschool through grade 12

    Born in Hoolehua, Molokai, Sr. Marion attended high school at St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu. From 1972-1979, Sr. Marion taught at St. Joseph High School.  She has been Principal since February, 2004, and holds Master's Degree in Educational Administration (Manhattan College) as well as a Master's in Religious Education (Seattle University). She completed a position of general minister as leader of Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y. She has also served as general councilor and general treasurer of the order. Her experience includes being principal of St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Calif., assistant principal at Bishop Ludden High School in Syracuse.
    Quote: School year 2006 focuses us nationally on Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education. I believe that we at St. Joseph School proclaim the Good News each day as we teach and learn, worship and pray, and give service within and outside our school community. In the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, I challenge myself and all who call St. Joseph School home to "Preach the Gospel (Good News) with our lives and, if necessary, use words."

    Mrs. Penelope Yu
    Mrs. Penny Yu is our vice-principal. She has a BA degree in communications, a teaching certificate in elementary education, and has been involved in teaching of some sort for over 30 years. Prior to becoming vice principal, she taught in third and fifth grades here at SJES.
    Stimulating one's imagination, always reaching for higher levels, never settling for being just "good enough", basing all aspects of life on the message of our Lord Jesus Christ --- these are the basics of how I live my life, and how I try to teach children to live theirs. Through celebrating individuality within the context of the power in unity, each of us can achieve great things.

    Mrs. Colette Tyrin
    Elementary Secretary

    Mrs. Tyrin is the youngest of six children.  They all graduated from St. Joseph School.  Her two children also graduated from St. Joseph, so she feels like she has been here all her life.  She has been working here since 1982.
    I love working with children.  They are so eager to learn.  Their happy faces and the great faculty and staff make it a joy to come to work.

    Mrs. Tanya Pataray
    Kindergarten Teacher

    Mrs. Pataray earned her Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies -- Elementary Education and a Teaching Certificate from University of Hawaii at Hilo.  She has been teaching kindergarten at St. Joseph School since 1997.
    Working with children five through six years old is such a joy! To watch children grow before my eyes is truly amazing. They come to me uncertain of their new surroundings and routines. They leave me confident in themselves and in their abilities to read, write, count, add, subtract, etc. I love my profession!  St. Joseph School is a great place!  We're like a big happy family.  I send my own children to this wonderful school!

    Mrs. Roxane Hoshide
    First Grade Teacher

    Mrs. Hoshide attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and holds a B.A. in elementary education. When she was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. The seed was planted then.  
    St. Joseph School is a Christian faith-filled, safe, loving, stimulating and positive institution for learning and developing the spirit to always strive for the highest.  I believe I have always instilled in my students the desire to be critical thinkers, responsible, respectful, confident and open minded.

    Mrs. A. Marian Solywoda
    Second Grade Teacher

    Mrs. Solywoda moved from kindergarten to second grade this year. She has worked several years in public schools in Hawaii, New York, Ohio and Canada. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, she has lived in Hawai'i for 27 years. She has a B.Ed. from the University of Hawai'i - Manoa.
    It is a joy to teach and work in a Christ centered school! The children are learning so quickly and their enthusiasm is very inspiring.

    Mrs. Carmen Stack
    Third Grade and K-4 Music

    This is Mrs. Stack's second year at St. Joseph school. She is extremely happy and excited to be teaching in this wonderful school that she graduated from. Mrs. Stack received a BA in Drama in 2004 and a Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education in 2005 from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
    I love teaching at St. Joseph School! This school is dear to my heart. I am a graduate and my son is in the first grade this year. St. Joseph School provides a positive and safe environment in which children are able to explore the world around them.

    Mrs. Theresa Burian
    Fourth Grade

    Mrs. Burian lives in Papaikou with her husband and two daughters. She graduated from University of Hawaii at Hilo in 1998 with a BA in Political Science, and received her Elementary Teaching Certificate from UHH in 2005. This is her second year teaching at St. Joseph School.
    St. Joseph School promotes all the religious values I believe in. My philosophy of teaching strongly incorporates the promotion of self worth in the classroom. Each student's unique background provides a wonderful balance of learning in the classroom.

    Mrs. Rena Arima
    Grade 5 Homeroom, Language Arts, Reading, Religion and US History; Grade 6 World History; Grade 4 Religion.

    Mrs. Arima is a graduate of Chaminade University with specialization in Social Studies, and has been teaching at St. Joseph School for 11 years.  She has two children.
    I am here because St. Joseph School has a very family oriented Christian feel to it.  Classes are small and people are helpful, supportive and friendly.  The formation of a well rounded individual is emphasized.  Learning is made fun.

    Mrs. Stella Kawa'auhau (Mrs. K)
    6th Grade Homeroom, Reading, Language Arts & Religion; K-3 Phonics.

    Mrs K is a graduate of St. Joseph School She has four children, also all 13 year students and graduates of St. Joseph School. Her grandson attended St. Joseph Preschool, and is now a first grade student here. She has worked as a tutor and eventually a teacher here for 22 years.
    The reason that so much of our family income goes into Catholic education is because I totally believe the wise words of Benjamin Franklin: "Education is useless without the Bible".

    Mrs. Marion Buscher
    Science 5 and 6; Art and PE K-6

    Mrs. Buscher has been teaching at St. Joseph School for 18 years.  She grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts, attended Sacred Heart School in Rhode Island and Newton, MA for her high school years.  She attended Lemoyne College in Syracuse N.Y. for 2 years before moving to California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. She graduated with a BFA in the spring of 1979, and has continued her education here in Hawaii at UH Hilo and Manoa. In December 1998 she received an Academic Certificate in Natural Sciences and In December 2005, she received her Masters of Education from UH Hilo. Both her sons graduated from St. Joseph School and attend HCC.
    I believe that learning is an ongoing process and, when possible, I enjoy taking classes in a variety of subjects.  I enjoy sharing my love for science , health, physical exercise, and art with children.  I believe in learning something new every day.  Students have so much to share.

    Mr. John Bridges
    Mathematics 3, 5, 6; Computer 1-6

    John moved to Hilo from San Diego in July. He attended St. Anthony's School, Oahu as a child. He has a B.S. in International Business from Cal Poly, SLO and a California Teaching Credential. His background is software engineering and management. John loves ocean activities, especially swimming, diving, fishing and boating.

    Mrs. Therese Shigenaga
    Clerical Assistant to the Vice Principal; First Grade Teaching Assistant

    Mrs. Shigenaga has been at St. Joseph School since 1995.  She taught second grade from 1995 until 2001, when she gave birth.  She has been back since October 2003.
    I enjoy working here at St. Joseph School.  The faculty and staff are very supportive, both professionally and personally.

    Mrs. Janan Malinowski
    Librarian; Resource & Research Teacher

    Mrs. Malinowski attended 12 years of Catholic elementary and high school,and went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education ,and her Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language, from the University of Arizona, and holds a Catechist Basic Certificate.  Her 35 years of teaching experience include 6 years in the Marshall Islands; 4 years in Phoenix, Arizona, teaching Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language; 12 years at Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and she was at St. Joseph Jr.-Sr.High School for 10 years and St. Joseph Elementary for two years. Her three children have graduated from St. Joseph Elementary and High School.
    This school provided loving, nurturing guidance for my 3 children for 19 years, and has given me a challenging, inspiring work environment for 12 years. To me, SJS is a living example of the Body of Christ so beautifully described in I Corinthians 12 by St. Paul. It's a place where the 'many members' each develop individual gifts, but 'all have the same care for one another.'

    Mrs. Toshimi Sugimura
    Japanese Language and Cultural Studies K-12

    Mrs. Sugimura received her Master's Degree in English Literature, minor in teaching from Jissen Women's University, Tokyo.  Her hobbies are  tennis, tea ceremony, cooking, learning.  She has been at St. Joseph School for 6 years.
    I'm here to introduce Japanese culture to our students.  Many have Japanese backgrounds, but really haven't learned the language or customs.  Also, many transfer students are coming from the mainland, and they should study the Japanese influence on Hawaii.  Important:  All students should be taught how to learn.  We learn best by doing.  So we drill until all students can master the pronunciation.  I like the family feeling at SJS.  It is safe.  I can be effective as a teacher.