La Pietra alum Cecilia "CC" Chung '09 honored at the White House with other state and national Teachers of the Year 

La Pietra alum Cecilia "CC" Chung, Hawaii's 2020 State Teacher of the Year, made her way to the White House this week to be celebrated alongside other state and national winners of the award from both 2020 and 2021. It was a long-awaited moment that was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted a White House ceremony Monday to recognize these teachers who were faced with unprecedented challenges over the last year and a half. They along with their colleagues continue to nurture our future leaders despite hardships the pandemic continues to bring. 

"This work is not easy, but I have confidence," Chung said in an article reflecting on the challenges teachers faced during distance learning. "I know we will work to bring light and love to each student in every school across the state. Let’s continue to lift up this beautiful profession we are in. Let’s lift up ourselves, our students, our community. Let’s grow stronger, together."

October 2019: Chung named 2020 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year Award
(Courtesy: Hawaii State Department of Education)

Back in October of 2019, Chung received the state's top teaching award from Governor David Ige and Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto during an awards ceremony held at Washington Place. She joined the HIDOE family in 2013, and today she is a teacher at Honouliuli Middle School. Before that, she spent seven years at Ka‘imiloa Elementary in Ewa Beach where she took on a number of roles, including sixth-grade teacher and technology integration coach for grades K-6. 

Chung also spoke to La Pietra's Class of 2020 during their ceremony back in May. The graduates were another group to endure impacts of the pandemic, totally transforming their senior year. Her words helped light the path for the twenty-four graduates and their families.

Chung addresses the Class of 2021 during their graduation ceremony

"There will be people you meet in life, or maybe you already have, who want to push you down. They want to dominate and control the situation because they themselves feel insecure," Chung said in her address to the graduates. "Rise above that, choose to see the best in people, and build up a strong community of people who support you and each other."

Chung continues to be a mentor and inspiration to educators everywhere. Our La Pietra community is so proud to see the big things she's accomplishing and the impact she is making on the world. Congratulations, CC!  

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by La Pietra (@lapietraschool)

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by La Pietra (@lapietraschool)