The Presidential Award represents the ongoing evolution of teaching. It validates bold thinking, student-centered experiences, and the importance of creating dynamic learning environments for students. This award extends beyond simply just content mastery. It is about making connections with students, meeting learners where they are, and having integrity as an educator. This award is about accepting responsibility for success and failure and valuing both by always learning, and always changing.

Gregory Kent Kailua, HI | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Gregory “Greg” Keoki Kent has been the Technology Coordinator, serving teachers and students, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, at Kailua Elementary School for 21 years. He previously taught at Myron B. Thompson Academy, Wailupe Elementary, and Koko Head Elementary each for one year. Colleagues characterize Greg as a master teacher with expertise in Design Thinking, MakerEd, and the NGSS. According to his principal, upon walking into the EleMakery maker space, “student engagement and learning engulfs you. You can’t help but get excited about learning!” Students are having collaborative conversations, designing prototypes, building structures, and authentically engaging in hands-on learning. Greg is a LEGO Education Master Educator, supporting schools across his complex area with LEGO Robotics and LEGO Education. He has been a mentor for new teachers within the college of education and a host for both public and private schools interested in developing their own maker space. Greg also models and co-teaches lessons to differentiate and meet the various comfort levels and needs of teachers. In the words of his principal: “There doesn’t seem to be a limit on the forward thinking and problem solving Greg brings to Kailua elementary. He is a dedicated educator truly making an impact on the lives of our students, staff, and the community.” Greg earned a B.Ed in elementary education and an M.Ed in educational technology from the University of Hawai’i, at Manoa. He is certified in elementary education.

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