#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Ms. Kathryn Bickford

It seems only natural that Kathryn Bickford would become an educator after gaining inspiration from her mother, a fellow teacher. In guiding her students, she draws upon her experiences playing collegiate lacrosse for four years, including three appearances at the National Championships, and as a coach for five years. 

The former Massachusetts resident earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington and holds a Master’s Degree in History from Salem State University. Prior to joining the Academy, she logged six years of teaching stints in Massachusetts and California. 

Bickford thoroughly enjoys reading a good book, engaging in lots of laughter and being outdoors, especially going hiking and to the beach. She also has set a goal to complete the Honolulu Marathon this December, her fifth such race!

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Mrs. Gaylen Isaacs

English teacher Mrs. Gaylen Isaacs began her teaching tenure at Sacred Hearts Academy in 1973 immediately after finishing her master's degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She is a woman of many talents having taught many courses over the years including lower school computer classes, French, Japanese and Spanish.

As many of her students can attest, Mrs. Isaacs is passionate about education and reading. She shared that her love of learning stemmed from two extraordinary English professors she had in college who reinforced her love of reading and expanding her world through their lessons.

What some students and alumnae may not know however is her love of animals. Mrs. Isaacs has had many dogs as pets over the years, most often two at a time since the early 1970s. Since then she has also taken on the role of "neighborhood bird lady", as she feeds the neighborhood doves, cardinals and finches twice a day, even setting up a shallow dish as a makeshift bird bath!

Another little known fact -- in her senior year in high school Mrs. Isaacs was one half of her school's first tennis doubles team. 

"For once in my entire short-lived tennis career, my partner and I beat Punahou. Nobody beat Punahou. While it may not have been Punahou’s first team, it was more than memorable for me and my partner." -Gaylen Isaacs

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Dr. Peter Park

Wouldn't you just love a job that encourages you to use your imagination and lets you play with cool gadgets all day? Dr. Peter Park, Sacred Hearts Academy's Robotics and Engineering Teacher, doesn't need to wonder - he lives it every day in the Academy's two Robotics labs. His courses are so popular it isn't uncommon to see the lights on in the lab on weekends and holidays, the room abuzz with chatter from students, parents, alumnae, volunteers and mentors alike - you can't keep them away, Dr. Park's lab is a #STEM playground for all ages!

When Dr. Park isn't in the lab; he often is found traveling the world: Korea, France, Sweden, Italy, Turkey and more! But what many may not know is Mr. Park's love of Harley Davidson motorcycles - his favorite mode of transportation to and from campus. He aspires to go on a few iconic motorcycle road trips; one on Route 66 from LA to Chicago and another in France through their beautiful vineyards.

We all admire Dr. Park's ability to nurture Academy students' interests in engineering, coding, designing and operating robots, through lessons and activities intended to encourage collaboration, research and problem-solving! We wish him and his students the best of luck as they put their skills to the test as they compete in the many local, national and international Robotics and Engineering competitions happening this school year!

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Dr. Peter Park

Wouldn't you just love a job that encourages you to use your imagination and lets you play with cool gadgets all day? Dr. Peter Park, Sacred Hearts Academy's Robotics and Engineering Teacher, doesn't need to wonder - he lives it every day in the Academy's two Robotics labs. His courses are so popular it isn't uncommon to see the lights on in the lab on weekends and holidays, the room abuzz with chatter from students, parents, alumnae, volunteers and mentors alike - you can't keep them away, Dr. Park's lab is a #STEM playground for all ages!

When Dr. Park isn't in the lab; he often is found traveling the world: Korea, France, Sweden, Italy, Turkey and more! But what many may not know is Mr. Park's love of Harley Davidson motorcycles - his favorite mode of transportation to and from campus. He aspires to go on a few iconic motorcycle road trips; one on Route 66 from LA to Chicago and another in France through their beautiful vineyards.

We all admire Dr. Park's ability to nurture Academy students' interests in engineering, coding, designing and operating robots, through lessons and activities intended to encourage collaboration, research and problem-solving! We wish him and his students the best of luck as they put their skills to the test as they compete in the many local, national and international Robotics and Engineering competitions happening this school year!

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Mrs. Shelly Spence

Prior to joining the Academy as a Sixth Grade English teacher Mrs. Spence served as the first female Rescue Swimmer in the U.S. Navy, and previously taught at neighboring schools Mid-Pacific Institute and Linapuni Elementary. She holds an undergraduate degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a post graduate degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from the University of Maryland, and a M.A.T. in Teaching K-6 from Chaminade University.

Mrs. Spence, fondly remembers her first year at the Academy. During a particularly hectic day Mrs. Spence jokingly asked her students to help her "find her sanity". Later that day, her students asked her take a seat as they wanted to present her with something - a piece of paper stating "Here's your sanity". The thoughtful action of her students brought a smile to Mrs. Spence's face, and she continues to proudly display the memento in her classroom to this day. 

Mrs. Spence looks forward to the 6th Grade cross content collaboration activity "Heritage Day" that will take place in October. In addition to her love of teaching, Mrs. Spence also is passionate about keeping active - she is certified in scuba diving and a certified instructor of both yoga and strength and conditioning. 

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Ms. Alyssa Okimoto

Growing up without a television in her household, Alyssa Okimoto spent a great deal of time at the local library, which fostered her life-long love for books and literature. 

Prior to joining the Academy, Okimoto served as a Librarian at Punahou School, where she is an alumna and also participated in track and field. Her work experience includes stints at the Hawai’i State and various other Public Libraries around the Island. 

Okimoto holds an undergraduate degree in History from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

An avid lover of being outdoors, she can often be found diving, fishing or surfing and even traveled to Indonesia to “catch waves.”

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Mrs. Elizabeth Gabriel

#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Elizabeth Gabriel, '97! After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Math Education and Masters in Private School Leadership from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Mrs. Gabriel returned to her alma mater, #SacredHeartsAcademy, where she has taught for the last 15 years. 

This year, Mrs. Gabriel can be found teaching Geometry and Pre-Calculus in addition to serving as the Class of 2018 Senior Class Advisor. But former students may recall her as their 7th Grade Math teacher, Algebra 2 or Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry teacher. She looks forward to showing off this year's Academy Math Department Halloween costume and "Christ-math TShirt"; both fond favorites of students, faculty, staff and alumnae alike!

Outside of her work in the classroom, Mrs. Gabriel is an avid swimmer. She is no stranger to the water having competed in distance swimming while at the Academy in High School, completed the Waikiki Rough Water Swim 14 times, and paddled in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai six times - impressive! 

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#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Ms. Clarie Thompson

#FunkyFridayFaculty Meet Clarie Thompson! Ms. Thompson’s Academy roots run deep, with many of alumnae among her family members.

This year, in addition to teaching fifth grade Theology, Language Arts and Social Studies, she will serve as a “school mom,” with three daughters on the Academy’s class rosters. Her son is a seventh grader at Saint Louis School.

Prior to joining the Academy, Thompson taught at Saint Ann’s Model School for 13 years and at Maryknoll School for four years. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater with a minor in Journalism from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Thompson also completed additional studies in teaching and instruction at Chaminade University.

Her resume includes auditioning for the role of “Nani” in the Disney’ film “Lilo and Stitch” when she was younger. Welcome to #SacredHeartsAcademy!

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