At this gathering, Jan's guest will be Jessica Kato, who is the literacy resource teacher for the Campbell Kapolei Complex Area in Ewa Beach and Kapolei, Hawaiʻi. Kato is a National Board Certified literacy educator who has been teaching for over 20 years and a mother of two elementary school children. She is also an adjunct professor for Chaminade University, a Hawaii State Teacher Fellow, and the NBCT Representative for the Leeward Chapter Hawaii State Teachers Association. She continues to teach English for the Hawaii Online Courses program, where her students inspire her hope for the future. Kato fiercely believes in growing joy and confidence through literacy and in the power of public education.

Welcome to our 2024/2025 Elevating Teacher Voice discussion series, hosted by Jan Iwase. The format is simple. A guest educator (or educators) will read out loud one of their blogs or essays, and then open up the session for discussion. No pre-work, no homework, no fuss, just deep listening, conversations and fellowship.