About Ms. Okita
Ms. Okita is a first grade teacher at Nimitz Elementary School in Honolulu. She was born and raised in Honolulu. She graduated from Kaimuki High School, received her Bachelor’s degree at Pacific University in Oregon, and received her Master's degree in Education from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Ms. Okita is a National Board Certified Teacher with an Early Childhood Generalist certification. She has also taught kindergarten, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4. She enjoys teaching, spending time with her family, reading, traveling, crafting, being outdoors, and exercising.
Ms. Okita is actively involved in many organizations that are related to teaching or education. She is a member of the Hawaii State Teachers Association and sits on the Board of Directors. She also sits on the Alumni Board for Pacific University and represents the alumni chapter in Hawaii. Ms. Okita enjoys working with current and retired educators as a part of Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority that focuses on altruistic projects.
In April 2016, Ms. Okita was selected as the recipient of the HSTA Award for Teaching Excellence (STACY) and went on to be recognized by the NEA Foundation in February 2017 as a recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. As a result of these recognitions, she spent just over a week in June 2017 traveling through China with other educators from across the nation to learn about the history, culture, and education systems of China and how to globalize her classroom.
Ms. Okita's Teaching Philosophy
I believe that all children have the ability to learn and need multiple ways to express their understanding. I strive to provide my students with a classroom environment where they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to succeed. Parents are an important part of a child's education and I encourage parents to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom at home. My goal is to have every child leave my classroom a reader, writer, mathematician, and lifelong learner.
Ms. Okita is actively involved in many organizations that are related to teaching or education. She is a member of the Hawaii State Teachers Association and sits on the Board of Directors. She also sits on the Alumni Board for Pacific University and represents the alumni chapter in Hawaii. Ms. Okita enjoys working with current and retired educators as a part of Alpha Delta Kappa, a sorority that focuses on altruistic projects.
In April 2016, Ms. Okita was selected as the recipient of the HSTA Award for Teaching Excellence (STACY) and went on to be recognized by the NEA Foundation in February 2017 as a recipient of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. As a result of these recognitions, she spent just over a week in June 2017 traveling through China with other educators from across the nation to learn about the history, culture, and education systems of China and how to globalize her classroom.
Ms. Okita's Teaching Philosophy
I believe that all children have the ability to learn and need multiple ways to express their understanding. I strive to provide my students with a classroom environment where they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to succeed. Parents are an important part of a child's education and I encourage parents to reinforce what is being taught in the classroom at home. My goal is to have every child leave my classroom a reader, writer, mathematician, and lifelong learner.