Aimee Kumura, a resource teacher at Waialua Elementary School in Waialua, believes that community involvement is essential to the educator's impact. To this end, she conducts parenting classes at her school, participates in local politics and belongs to the Neighborhood Board. Mrs. Kumura is responsible for developing and implementing several programs at her school. The Beginning Reading Program she developed for first graders integrates phonic skills, word recognition strategies and reading comprehension. The Accelerated Reading Program she introduced includes Chapter I, special education and mainstream students. In Micro Community, yet another school-wide program developed by Mrs. Kumura, a student-created community provides a way for students to learn about economic, social, judicial and political systems. "Micro Community," says Mrs. Kumura, "makes learning relevant and increases the self-worth of students."
