Greg Kent, a proud graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education, has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching—a testament to his commitment to STEM education and student success.
As the technology coordinator at Kailua Elementary School, Kent empowers young learners by fostering hands-on problem-solving skills.
“I’ve always liked the idea that you are creating a solution with your hands,” he said. “STEM builds essential 21st-century skills that help students wherever they go and whatever they do.”
Kent’s journey in education began at UH Mānoa, where he earned a BEd in elementary education and an MEd in educational technology. He credits much of his success to the College of Education’s supportive community, where he formed lasting relationships with peers and mentors.
“I was lucky to be in a cohort with the same people every year, and for me, that made a huge difference in my success and the risks I was willing to take,” Kent said.
His father, a former professor at UH, was a key inspiration.
He said, “I have a list of four mentors who made sure I was doing well in school. They didn’t just want us to graduate—they wanted us to graduate and be great teachers.”
In a similar vein, he encourages future educators to treat their master’s program as a passion project, ensuring every class contributes to their personal and professional growth.
Another UH Mānoa College of Education graduate, Whitney Aragaki, also received a 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
