Faculty & Staff

 

I am the first grade assistant at Island School. I have worked within early education for 10+ years in various settings from the classroom assistant, sub teacher, after school programs and in special education providing one on one Applied Behavior Analysis.

 

I was first drawn to Island school because of its beautiful location and campus.

What I truly appreciate about Island School is the unique enrichments offered for the children and the close collaboration between the school and families that delivers a strong foundation for all.

 

I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree at west Oʻahu (distance learning program) in education.  

 

My hobbies include hot yoga, hot teatime, and a good book. 

I am a proud mother of two energetic boys. My five-year-old attends Nā Pua Keiki, while my three-year-old is enrolled at A Room to Grow Preschool. 

My professional journey has taken me through various nonprofit organizations, including the Breadfruit Institute at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Common Ground in Kilauea, and the Pa'ia Youth and Cultural Center on Maui. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Alaska Anchorage. 

After starting my career in the business sector, I made a significant transition to the nonprofit realm in Hawaii following the economic downturn from 2007-2009. I'm thrilled to be part of the Development team and support a quality foundation for the youth of Kaua'i through Island School.

One of my most significant memories is “playing school” in the basement with my stuffed animal "students". Following my mom’s footsteps as an educator became my goal at a childhood age, and I am grateful to continue this meaningful profession at Island School.

While nurturing responsible learners and engaging with collaborative professionals throughout my career in Iowa, Colorado, Chile, and Kauaʻi, I have learned that empathizing with young adults, respecting their energy, and valuing their struggles builds confidence and sparks learning.

I still love the challenges of upper education, and moreover, middle school students are still my favorite. I encourage literacy, critical thinking, and self-reflection. Creating a positive rapport with my students is a priority in order to promote a favorable learning environment. Students deserve a captivating education, therefore, I strive to do my personal best in fostering memorable experiences that enrich responsibility and self-efficacy.

A proud Hawaiian from Wai'anae, I am the only sibling of fiur in my family who pursued a college education, graduating as a solid backup plan to my first passion—music. Driven by a lifelong love for sports (football topping the list, followed closely by basketball, and track), I’ve also dedicated myself to coaching for over 30 years. I’ve been married to Michelle for 27 years, who serves as assistant Athletic Director at Island School, and together we’re raising two daughters: Sydney, Island School class of 2021 and now an Environmental Engineering major at UC Irvine, and Lindsey, class of 2027. 

Balancing my roles as Warden at Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center, Athletic Director at Island School since 2019, and music entertainment for the past 30 plus years, I am committed to mentoring, advocating, teaching, coaching, helping our student athletes in their journey through life.

I graduated from Kamehameha School and the University of Hawaii with a BA in Anthropology, and completed my postgraduate studies in Journalism at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. I was working as a photojournalist in Alaska when the calling of my Native Hawaiian community brought me back home to Kauaʻi.

I have been teaching Hawaiian Studies and hula at Island School for 30 years. I also work as the coordinator of Hawaiian Studies on Kauai for the Department of Education, and am a team member of the Kūlia i Ka Nuʻu Project at the University of Hawaii Mānoa and Kumu Kapa on Kauaʻi.

My name is Abbie Laase, Pre-Kindergarten teacher with Nā Pua Keiki since 2016. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, my husband and I came to Kauaʻi with a deep appreciation for the culture we  would be immersing ourselves in, and my time at Island School has only strengthened that.  

My love for education was rooted on the mainland at North Seattle Community College and my previous Pre-K program where I taught for many years. It is now being well watered and pruned on Kauaʻi, as I continue to be a lifelong learner. Recently, my passion for literacy has taken me down a path to understand the science of reading and how to make it accessible to every type of brain.  What inspires my heart is spending time with my husband and our beloved rescue dogs, walking, gardening and cooking!

I grew up on Pleasure Island, North Carolina, an island full of alligators, surrounded by sharks and a magnet for countless hurricanes. I studied visual arts and filmmaking at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and photography at Maryland Institute, College of Art. Before working at Island School I owned an arts and entertainment company in New York City and worked full-time as a professional body painter and theatrical makeup artist.  

I also led mentoring programs and after school arts programs for Hour Children. Hour Children is a not for profit with a mission to end the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.

 

I have been curious about human development most of my life.  When I became a mother of three girls (all Island School Graduates) I made a shift from the business world into education.  Alex, Jordan, and Laura (my three daughters) are the inspiration of my journey into early childhood education.  I am in my 28th year with 18 years at Island School as part of my journey. 

 

I chose early education to make a difference in the world for young children, families, and our community.  I believe education is a living, breathing art form. This requires incredible intentionality and heart.  I enjoy my leadership role in supporting other early childhood educators in their professional journey.

 

I hold my BS in Business Administration (Xavier University), a MA in Early Childhood Education (Concordia University), and a Leadership Certification in Early Childhood Education (Harvard University).  In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with family, working out with my Playground 808 community, serving in a leadership role at my church, and many outdoor activities that connect me to nature.

I am the Choir Director and Music Teacher at Island School, where I teach choir for elementary, middle, and high school, along with a middle school ukulele course. I currently serve as Island Schools Enrichment Department Chair and also am the Membership Chair for the Hawai’i Chapter of American Choral Directors Association. 

Before coming to Kauaʻi in 2019, I received a MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a BM in Music Education from Susquehanna University. I have performed as a soloist internationally in both Japan and New Zealand.

I have a passion for performing and playing the piano. I am the Collaborative Pianist for the Kauaʻi Chorale, and also at Waiʻoli Huiʻia Church in Hanalei. In my free time, I enjoy reading on the beach, playing video games, and traveling with my wife!

I am an educator with Master’s degrees in Cultural Linguistic Diversity and Multiple Perspectives in History. My passion for experiential learning and global citizenship has taken me to 42 countries, where I’ve engaged with local communities and led cultural and environmental initiatives. I’ve guided Duke of Edinburgh students through the woods in Germany and spearheaded projects like planting mangroves in Thailand.

At Island School, I focus on cultivating global citizens through immersive, real-world projects, such as the Senior Capstone course. As a certified Leave No Trace (LNT) instructor, I’m deeply committed to environmental stewardship.

Outside the classroom, I’m an avid runner, having completed five half marathons, and I enjoy gardening, particularly tending to my vegetable trug. My approach to education is grounded in respect for cultural diversity, environmental sustainability, and understanding multiple perspectives in history.

I grew up in Milford, Connecticut and attended my local public school, where I was salutatorian. I studied English Literature at Yale University. After graduation, I began teaching English for New Haven Public Schools.

Writing, art and surfing called me to Venice Beach, California, where I started an SAT tutoring business, two of my early tutees earning perfect scores. Demolished by the daily commute on the 405, however, I searched for ways to reconnect with my small-town roots. When I visited Kaua’i in 2012, I found my Shangri-la. I began teaching at Island School soon thereafter.

I earned my Master’s degree from the Bread Loaf School of English in 2019. I wake up every morning inspired to teach Island School’s curious and thoughtful students and overjoyed that I don’t have to sit in traffic. I’ve been teaching here for thirteen years and still never look back.

 

Art has never been set aside in an ivory tower for me. Art supplies have always flooded my world. A sixth-generation Texan raised by strong Texas women, art was a safe space to express myself. To make art is to notice what is around and discover what is within. The artists in my childhood changed what I thought I could excel at, fail at, and grow through. 

 

In 2016, I earned my B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Art and Design- Painting, from Texas State University. I practiced as a CTRS with adults with developmental disabilities, and never stopped my own work and private lessons as a visual artist. In 2020, I began teaching here at Island School. Reaching all children to find their artistic lens is my sincere passion.

I am a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and spent my childhood eating delicious Creole and Cajun food and celebrating Mardi Gras every year. 

I've worked in many schools throughout the mainland for the past 20 years, in both rural and urban settings. Most recently, I was the Director of Admissions at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, CA and prior to this role, I worked at Marlborough School in Los Angeles. My passions are supporting schools through growth, change, and adaptation. I have a particular affinity for outreach initiatives, strategic planning, belonging and inclusion work and crafting long-lasting partnerships with other schools and non-profit organizations. 

I attended Tulane University for my undergraduate degree with majors in English and Sociology and received my masters in education from Vanderbilt University. I moved to Kaua'i two years ago with my children and love exploring the beauty and magic of this place. Besides hiking and exploring our beaches, I love to skydive, try new recipes and dance.