OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – Today, the Hawaiʻi State Senate made history by confirming Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori as a member of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education.
Dr. Hattori, a native CHamoru of Guåhan (Guam), received her Bachelor’s in Secondary Education, Professional Diploma, Master’s in Education, and Doctorate of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She currently serves as director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center and adjunct graduate faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Chaminade University.
In assuming membership in the Hawai‘i State Board of Education, Dr. Hattori is committed to advancing the vision of a K-12 educational system that prepares all students to be globally competitive and locally committed.
With a background as a community organizer and advocate for Pacific Islanders in Hawaiʻi, Dr. Hattori has co-organized cultural events and served as a teacher and mentor for Pacific Islander students. These experiences uniquely position her to excel in this important role. Additionally, Dr. Hattori is an accomplished author, poet, public speaker, and philanthropist.
The confirmation process for Dr. Hattori saw robust discussion, highlighting the importance of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education and showcasing broad support for Dr. Hattori’s qualifications. After thorough deliberation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Education, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Hawaiʻi State Senate advise and consent to Dr. Hattori’s nomination to the Hawai‘i State Board of Education.
When the measure was heard on the floor of the Hawaiʻi State Senate, Senate Committee on Education Chair Senator Michelle Kidani said, “as we confirm these nominees today, we reaffirm our commitment to providing Hawai‘i’s public school students with access to quality education by confirming those who demonstrate commitment, passion, and competence to overseeing our one and only Hawai‘i state education system.”
Dr. Hattori shared, “Education is the key to sustainable well-being and prosperity. I am truly humbled and honored to serve as a member of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education. I am eager to leverage my experience to tackle the challenges that students face in Hawai‘i, especially those from under-represented groups.”
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Keoni Williams at [email protected].
Since 1980, the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center has served the nations and peoples of the Pacific through innovative capacity building, interchange among regional leaders, and policy-relevant research on priority issues. For more information, visit www.eastwestcenter.org/pidp
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – Today, the Hawaiʻi State Senate made history by confirming Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori as a member of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education.
Dr. Hattori, a native CHamoru of Guåhan (Guam), received her Bachelor’s in Secondary Education, Professional Diploma, Master’s in Education, and Doctorate of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She currently serves as director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center and adjunct graduate faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Chaminade University.
In assuming membership in the Hawai‘i State Board of Education, Dr. Hattori is committed to advancing the vision of a K-12 educational system that prepares all students to be globally competitive and locally committed.
With a background as a community organizer and advocate for Pacific Islanders in Hawaiʻi, Dr. Hattori has co-organized cultural events and served as a teacher and mentor for Pacific Islander students. These experiences uniquely position her to excel in this important role. Additionally, Dr. Hattori is an accomplished author, poet, public speaker, and philanthropist.
The confirmation process for Dr. Hattori saw robust discussion, highlighting the importance of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education and showcasing broad support for Dr. Hattori’s qualifications. After thorough deliberation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Education, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Hawaiʻi State Senate advise and consent to Dr. Hattori’s nomination to the Hawai‘i State Board of Education.
When the measure was heard on the floor of the Hawaiʻi State Senate, Senate Committee on Education Chair Senator Michelle Kidani said, “as we confirm these nominees today, we reaffirm our commitment to providing Hawai‘i’s public school students with access to quality education by confirming those who demonstrate commitment, passion, and competence to overseeing our one and only Hawai‘i state education system.”
Dr. Hattori shared, “Education is the key to sustainable well-being and prosperity. I am truly humbled and honored to serve as a member of the Hawai‘i State Board of Education. I am eager to leverage my experience to tackle the challenges that students face in Hawai‘i, especially those from under-represented groups.”
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Keoni Williams at [email protected].
Since 1980, the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center has served the nations and peoples of the Pacific through innovative capacity building, interchange among regional leaders, and policy-relevant research on priority issues. For more information, visit www.eastwestcenter.org/pidp
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