Faculty & Staff

I was born and raised in Arvada, Colorado. I have a masters degree in mental health counseling from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. I worked as a licensed crisis intervention counselor for 10 years until my children were born.

I received my teaching certification through alternative placement in Oklahoma. I have taught for 23 years as a first grade teacher and love my job!

I met my husband of 42 years while I was attending Colorado State University. I spent most of my life as a military spouse traveling and living in some most extraordinary places. We retired two years ago and made Kauaʻi our home. I am a huge fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team. When I am not at Island School, I love to sew and swim, and am a seal and turtle volunteer.

I grew up on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, and have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kauaʻi Community College. During my practicum at Kauaʻi Community College in 2017, I volunteered at Island School Nā Pua Keiki and was drawn to a career here. I have five years of experience working with elementary school and preschool children.

I am also the mother of three children, Kalawai'a, Luke, and Kylee. We enjoy spending time at the beach, reading, watching movies and playing games.

I grew up in a small town in California called Marysville, just north of Sacramento and moved to Arkansas for college. When I graduated from college with a BA in Theater Education, I received a phone call inviting me to join the Island School team. I’ve been on Kauaʻi and with Island School for the past year.

Before teaching, I worked a variety of jobs including lifeguarding, construction, directing, and acting professionally.

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.

Being a Texan for most of my life, my husband (originally from Louisiana) and I decided to move to Kauaʻi 17 years ago. After a successful career in the field of science, including a decade in the space industry and teaching in Japan, I am sharing my love of science in Hawaiʻi. I have worked in both public and private school settings, teaching students of all grade levels.

In my spare time, you will find me hanging out with friends and family and walking my dog. We are proud parents of a very gregarious student at Island School. Gig `Em Aggies!

I have worked in education throughout my adult life, first as a high school English teacher right out of college and most recently as a high school counselor at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado for 7 years before moving here to Kauaʻi and starting my work at Island School in 2017.  

My husband, Andrew, and I have 8 children between us who are now all either working or in college. My 3 daughters graduated from Island School in 2018, 2020, and 2023.  When I am not at work, I love singing, practicing hula or other forms of dance, hiking, playing with my dog, or getting lost in the pages of a good book.

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!

Aloha nui kākou e ka ʻohana no Island School. I am Joey Kalanakilaokalāhui Palupe, a product of the renowned rains of Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu, now enjoying the ua kilihune in Kalāheo. As a kanaka Hawaiʻi living in Hawaiʻi, I take seriously my kuleana to serve my home and people by educating future generations so they, too, grasp their responsibilities.

My journey has led me through various roles, from Hawaiian non-profit work, grant coordination, business management, farming, and cultural advising to advocating for water rights in DC. Yet, my greatest fulfillment has come from teaching. While earning a BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, I was inspired to engage others through experiential and perspective-based learning.

Now, as a kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at Island School, I am eager to learn and share knowledge in the ways of my kūpuna. Ola!

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 was born and raised on this beautiful island of Kauaʻi. For over four years, I have been an integral part of the Island School Community.  You will see me at the games cheering the students on, volunteering at the school events, and helping you in the front office. I am also a part of the Otsuka's Furniture and Luau Kalamaku teams.

My commitment to education led me to choose Island School, where I thrive on the strong sense of leadership, community, and the inspiring presence of the students. 

When I'm not working, I enjoy exploring new places, spending quality time with family at the beach, cheering on my sons at their sporting events, and embarking on hiking adventures with friends.