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Introduction to Academies Video

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Want to learn about our Academies? Watch our Introduction to Academies video to get acquainted with our Academy Principals, Directors, Counselors, and more!

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Hi, my name is Gail Izumigawa and I am the Career Academy Executive Director at Waipahu High School. At Waipahu High School, we have six Career Academies: the Academy of Arts & Communication, the Academy of Health & Sciences, the Academy of Industrial & Engineering Technology, the Academy of Natural Resources, the Academy of Professional & Public Services, and the Ohana of Excellence Academy. In my position, I am responsible for guiding and supporting the academies as they implement best practices in the Academy model. One of my major duties for the past few years has been to assist the academies as they go through academy reviews conducted by the National Career Academy Coalition. Two of our academies, the Academy of Health & Sciences and the Academy of Natural Resources were the first academies in the state of Hawaii to receive "Model" status. In a recent review, these two academies were given the highest honor: "Model Status with Distinction." Our other academies will be going through reviews this year and hopefully they too will be "Model" academies. Aloha! My name is Daryl Agena and I'm the Assistant Principal who oversees the Academy of Arts & Communication. In the Academy of Arts & Communication, we strive to provide students with experiences and opportunities to explore their passion and express themselves creatively through our pathways. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you need any assistance this year.  The Academy of Arts & Communication is looking forward to an exciting school year with all of you.  Aloha! Aloha, I'm Jzchana Rivera, one of the counselors in the Academy of Arts & Communication. I support students Grades 9 and 10. Hi, I'm Lorelei Castillo. I'm the other counselor in the academy and I have Grades 11 and 12. And I'm Aaron Scholtz and we are your Co-Directors for the Academy of Arts & Communication. In the academy, we have three different pathways for you. The first is Audio Engineering taught by Mr. Johann Montero. The second is Graphic Communications and Print taught by Ms. Noelle Edejer. And the third is Multimedia taught by Mr. Bryant Murakami. And our 9th Grade Core, a familiar face to you all, Mr. Brian Hartsfield from Waipahu Intermediate. We hope to see you guys in our classes this year. Have a great year! Hi, my name is Eunice Fukunaga and I'm the Assistant Principal of the Academy of Health & Sciences or AHS.  Within AHS, we have three different pathways: Clinical Health, Health and Nutrition, and Medical Biotech. Within these pathways and within AHS, we give students a variety of opportunities within the healthcare field.  So come and be part of AHS where you can find your passion as a future health care professional. Hi, I'm Natalie Yonemura, the Academy of Health & Sciences counselor. This year, I'll be servicing students with the last names A through N. I'm here to support you with any academic or personal, social emotional needs. Can't wait to see you soon! Aloha, my name is Jared Yamamoto and I'm one of the counselors for the Academy of Health & Sciences. This year, I'll be working with the students with the last name O through Z and the AVID students at Waipahu High School. I look forward to working with all of you to reach your academic and personal goals in your respective classes and internships. In today's world, we're facing many challenges and I'm excited to see all of you become the next Healthcare Professionals in our community. Hi everybody! My name's Hayley Mc Dermott and I'm the new Academy Director for the Academy of Health & Sciences or AHS. Within our academy, we're really excited to offer you some hands-on certification programs like OSHA 10 training and CPR.  We also offer a variety of longer certification programs like Medical Assisting, Surgical Instrument Processing, Pharmacy Technician, and Community Health Worker. And of course we're also in talks with our business partners and industry partners to offer even more certification programs in the future.  So can't wait to see you guys, can't wait to meet people I haven't met before, and can't wait to see some familiar faces back on campus soon. Bye, guys! Welcome to the Academy of Industrial & Engineering Technology where students are Inspired and Empowered to Thrive through the multitude of learning opportunities we offer both in and out of our classrooms. My name is Brandy Yagi and I am the Assistant Principal for IET. Hi, I'm Tracee Kinjo. I'm one of the Academy Counselors for IET. I have students beginning with the letters A through K. Hi, my name is Lisa Yahiku-Hiromoto I'm the other Academy Counselor for IET. I have letters L through Z. Hi, I'm Ian Ablog, one of the Academy Directors for IET. And I'm Justin Kanemoto, also one of the IET Directors. Our Academy provides students with a very focused program of study.  For example, if they're interested in Automotive, they can take Autos if they'd like to mess around with that. And if they're interested in Electronics, they can take my classes. And in addition to the skills that we teach them in the classroom, which we try to be as hands-on as possible, we provide them with other opportunities like interviews from different colleges, or guest speakers, externships, and internships to kind of give them the opportunity to practice what they're learning whenever we're on site. I would say IET is for you if you like a challenge. IET is not just doing stuff with your hands. IET really involves everything.  We do a lot of things that involve your hands, obviously, but it ties in all the subjects so for Math, English, Science, all that stuff, IET I think we tie in all the subjects and make it relevant and make learning for the students more fun. IET will Inspire you and Empower you to Thrive. Hello, my name is Matthew Mitsuyuki, Assistant Principal here at Waipahu High School. I'll be overseeing the Academy of Natural Resources.  Our Academy's mission is to prepare all students to become environmentally conscious citizens who practice good environmental stewardship throughout their lifetime and become contributors to a sustainable world. I'm looking forward to meeting you all during this new school year.  Take care! What's up, Waipahu Marauders! Welcome to the Academy of Natural Resources. My name is Tamra Nakai and I will be your counselor for the next four years. Hi and welcome to the Academy of Natural Resources. I'm Mrs. Sherry Tenn and I'm the Academy's Director. I'm going to tell you a little bit about the three different pathways that we offer within our Academy. So number one would be Production and that would be taught by our new teacher, Ms. Matlin. Number two would be our Biotechnology which is taught by Mr. Garvey and number three is Environmental Resource Management and that is taught by myself. So welcome again to our Academy and thank you! Hi, I'm Elizabeth Higashi, the Assistant Principal of the Academy of Professional & Public Services. Welcome to APPS! Aloha, I am Ian Ferris and I'm the Academy Director of the Academy of Professional & Public Services. Welcome to APPS.  Here in APPS, we are made up of four pathways: Business, Culinary, Law & Justice, and Teacher Education. In addition to providing our students a strong core foundation, we also provide many opportunities in work-based learning such as internships, career shadowing, and Project-Based Learning.  In APPS, we work together to make an impact on our community and surrounding world. Academy of Professional & Public Services, welcome! I'm Stacey Suzuki and I will have those of you last names A through L. Those whose last names begin with letters M through Z, you see me.  So don't be coy, see Ms. Shioi. If you enjoy helping people and making a positive difference in this world, this academy is for you.  We are here to support you through your academic, personal, and emotional needs as you go through your high school experiences. As we venture into this new normalcy together, let's make the best of the opportunities bestowed upon us. Learn as much as you can from your teachers, each other, and experiences available here at Waipahu High School. Dream big, work hard, and stay safe! Hi, my name is Gary Chun. I'm the Assistant Principal for the Ohana of Excellence Academy. Our Academy consists of the Special Ed. fully self-contained population here at Waipahu High School. We are made up of three different groups within this academy. We have great teachers, support leads, counselors, and educational assistants that help support their journey here. The first of the three groups is the Max-X, made up of our medically fragile students. They will gain the maximum experience and exposure as students here on campus as well as in the community. The second one is called Programs, made up of severe and moderate students. They work on independent living skills and life skills to hopefully progress to the next group which is The Competitive, made up of mild students who we help to try to get gain skills to hopefully enter into the workforce when they leave us. A number of students who enter the workforce during the junior year working part-time. Highlights to share of the Ohana of Excellence are the activities like recycling, Two for Tuesday cookies, "Choose Love" tie dye shirts, Fresh fruit Fridays, car wash, as well as Dunkin coffee pastry services, building and maintenance, lawn services, office service, bookstore, and our up-and-coming this year will be the embroidery and silk screening printing. Hello, my name is Mrs. Gail Hirata and I am a resource teacher that supports the Ohana of Excellence Academy. I'm going to share with you Ohana's Vision and Mission.  The Vision states that Waipahu High School's Ohana of Excellence Academy supports all students in reaching their highest potential. Our Academy will prepare students for entry-level positions in various occupation fields or post-high school program.  Our Mission states that Waipahu High School's Ohana of Excellence Academy, in partnership with all stakeholders, provides innovative hands-on learning opportunities for all students to cultivate independence and self-advocacy.  Thank you. Hi, my name is Christina Tagal and I am the ELL counselor as well as the counselor for the Academy of Ohana of Excellence. I look forward to working with you throughout the year. Hi, my name is Jonathan Matsumoto. I'm one of the Special Ed. Department Heads at Waipahu High School. I'm also one of the professional learning communities or PLC for the Ohana of Excellence. At these meetings, teachers work collaboratively to improve their teaching skills and to improve their academic performance for their students. Hi, my name is Jared Abreu. I'm a Special Ed. teacher here at Waipahu High School. I'm also the Academy Director for the Ohana of Excellence. Some of my duties include facilitating Academy meetings, attending leadership meetings, and bringing back any key information to our Academy.  I also meet with community members, parents, and administration for our Advisory Board

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