Ms. Reeder holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa, a bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and is currently certified in Hawaiʻi to teach Elementary Education (K-6th) and Middle School Science (6-8). Melissa has lived in Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi, for over fifteen years. She has w
Ms. Reeder holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Hawaiʻi, Manoa, a bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and is currently certified in Hawaiʻi to teach Elementary Education (K-6th) and Middle School Science (6-8). Melissa has lived in Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi, for over fifteen years. She has worked extensively with Native Hawaiian Charter Schools, students, and non-profit foundations in the creation of multiple science and STEM (STEAM) curricula that were embedded with Native Hawaiian culture. She has worked for the Mālama ʻĀina Foundation and Keiki ʻO Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Center non-profits deeply rooted in the Native Hawaiian community. Ms. Reeder wrote and successfully ran an ANA SEDS grant for the Mālama ʻĀina Foundation from 2013 – 2016. She is a skilled teacher-trainer and is currently a 7th-grade science teacher and head of the science department at Stevenson Middle School. Melissa has also worked for Catapult Learning, LLC as an Area Manager, where she had a staff of fifty teachers reporting to her at fifteen schools across four Hawaiian Islands and oversaw multiple program budgets, payroll, and human resource issues.
Whitney was born in Kailua, O'ahu, and raised on the island of Hawai'i. She returned to O'ahu to attend school at Mid-Pacific Institute and continued her education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Soon after graduation, she began teaching at Sacred Hearts Academy in Ka'imuki and was motivated to pursue her Master's of Education at C
Whitney was born in Kailua, O'ahu, and raised on the island of Hawai'i. She returned to O'ahu to attend school at Mid-Pacific Institute and continued her education at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Soon after graduation, she began teaching at Sacred Hearts Academy in Ka'imuki and was motivated to pursue her Master's of Education at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
At Sacred Hearts, Whitney taught Social Studies to students in Grades 7-12. She also led the Leo Club under the direction of the Kamehameha Lions Club, assisted with the Robotics program, and oversaw the May Day hula performances for the Jr. High. Through the Leo Club, she led students to be active participants in community outreach and volunteering, often taking part in lo'i clean ups, the Great Aloha Run, Honolulu Marathon, Palolo Chinese Home, Sony Open, and much more. After 13 years with Sacred Hearts Academy, Whitney transitioned closer to home to work at Huakailani School for Girls, working with students in Grades K-8. At Huakailani, she quickly took on the role of Head of School and became responsible for curriculum development and implementation, student records and data analysis, supplies and inventory, as well as the school's social media platforms. She is excited for the opportunity to coordinate learning that extends beyond the classroom with hands-on experiences and real world application.
Whitney has been a dancer with Halau Na Pua Hala Kunou i ke Kai for the past 13 years and can be found during the summers at numerous Obon festivals across the island. During her free time, she enjoys adventures with her 'ohana; her husband, two daughters, two dogs, one cat, and three chickens.
Originally from Wahiawa, HI, Kenny is a performing artist and teacher with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He has been an active part of Honolulu's live performance scene for over ten years, having participated in over a dozen community theatre plays at Manoa Valley Theatre, Kumu Kahua Theatre and t
Originally from Wahiawa, HI, Kenny is a performing artist and teacher with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He has been an active part of Honolulu's live performance scene for over ten years, having participated in over a dozen community theatre plays at Manoa Valley Theatre, Kumu Kahua Theatre and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He is a stand up comic with seven years of experience and performs regularly at clubs throughout the state. Having originally worked professionally as an educational tour guide (various local companies on island), Kenny eventually transitioned to a career in education to focus on the aspects of tourism that most appealed to him: teaching and celebrating the cultures of Hawai'i.
Makani is currently the Hawaiian Studies teacher at Stevenson Middle School. She was born and raised here on O’ahu, originally from Mililani, and now she resides in Pauoa in Honolulu. Growing up she attended Kipapa Elementary, Mililani Middle, and Mililani High School, and then she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
While a student at the University of Hawai’i, she played on the softball team. She's played softball since she was 6 and was able to earn an athletic scholarship. She has a lot of experience coaching kids from ages K-12. Along with playing softball she also loves to sing and play music.
She is a mother of three wonderful boys, Kalewa, Kala’i, and Kai. Her motivation in life is to take care of her kids and provide for her family. She is proud of her Hawaiian heritage and always eager to learn more and to pass on the knowledge to the next generation.