Claire Furukawa, a language arts teacher for 31 years, has been the catalyst for many successful and innovative programs at Kalani High School. Her belief in developing the potential of all students led to the recent creation of Alpha Core, an interdisciplinary program for ninth and tenth graders that utilizes cooperative learning, parent involvement and teacher based counseling to develop academic and social skills in students of all ability levels. Ms. Furukawa's persistence and vision convinced skeptical parents of the worth of heterogeneous grouping and reluctant teachers of the value of cooperative learning. Honored as Honolulu District's Teacher of the Year more than 17 years ago, Ms. Furukawa has also been recognized as an Outstanding Secondary Educator of America.
1959 Northeast Missouri State, Other
