In 0.70 seconds, Google can find 1,520,000,000 definitions for a teacher. If you are willing to go through the permutations, you may still not be satisfied with any of the definitions.

Here at Kapiʻolani CC, we have dedicated teachers and faculty who excel at what they do because they engage in all aspects of a student’s learning. For our faculty, teaching is a continuous self-learning, and they are able to remove barriers and excite learning through curiosity and imagination. Our faculty define the art and craft of teaching.

Wendy Kuntz lives to teach. She was recently named the recipient of the 2019 National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) award. This prestigious recognition is the Professor Chan Two-Year College Award for the Engaged Teaching of Biology and is given to a faculty member “who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative, hands-on approach in the teaching of biology and has carried their commitment to the community.” Wendy will be presented this award during the 2019 Professional Development Conference in Chicago, IL., from November 14-17, 2019.

Wendy is highly active and visible on campus. For example, with her students, she researched the breeding and nesting habits of the Manu-o-Kū, or White Fairy Tern, a seabird indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands and is a threatened species protected by the State of Hawaiʻi. Wendy is advisor to the Ecology club and helped to create a Rain Garden alongside `Ilima Building; this catchment system captures and stores rain water for irrigation. In Fall 2018, she helped the College to be the first campus in the University of Hawaiʻi System of 10 campuses to offer an academic subject certificate in sustainability. Read the story here:

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2018/08/06/kapiolani-1st-uh-sustainability-certificate/

And, in 2013, Wendy Kuntz was the awardee for the Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching.

Wendy Kuntz lives the inspiration of the teacher who shows students where to look, but does not tell them what to see.

Ho`omaikai, Wendy. Congratulations!