Leading With Faith

WHEN SHANA TONG, MED ‘08 WAS OFFERED THE POSITION OF INTERIM PRESIDENT AT MARYKNOLL SCHOOL, A PRIVATE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN HONOLULU, THE SITUATION COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE URGENT. IT WAS JULY OF 2020, AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AROUND THE WORLD HAD JUST BEEN ROCKED BY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OF THE CENTURY: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

“As times change, faith gives you something to rely on, it gives you a sense of responsibility”

Schools across the globe had spent the last part of the 2019–20 school year scrambling to finish out the year remotely. No one really knew what fall of 2020 would bring—would schools be able to reopen? Would everything be online again? Would there be a hybrid option with both online and in-person teaching? Teachers and administrators were working double-time to prepare for all scenarios.

In Hawai'i, things were looking stable in early July. Coronavirus numbers were relatively low, hospitals had dismantled their COVID units, businesses were reopening, and there was talk of the travel quarantine being lifted. But one month later and the situation had changed. Numbers were rising, and quickly. By mid-August, public schools had been mandated to begin their school year online.

If there is anyone that could have led Maryknoll through these difficult times, it was Tong. Tong knew Maryknoll like the back of her hand. She had had every possible relationship with the school—she had been a Maryknoll student, parent, teacher and administrator. And her endless optimism and easy manner would serve the school well during the unpredictable times.

Tong graduated from Maryknoll in 1983, and then spent a few years getting her B.A. in Speech and Communications before finding a job working for a major airline. That career path didn’t last long.

“I said, ‘oh my goodness, this isn’t me,’” recalls Tong. “So I started taking classes in elementary education at Chaminade—it was Chaminade that made education a nice experience for me and made me want to continue that route.”

Not long after, she rejoined the Maryknoll family as a second-grade teacher and speech coach. Other than a two-year stint working for Sacred Hearts, first in Honolulu and then in Lahaina, she has spent her entire career at Maryknoll.

She found her calling in teaching. There was something magical about watching a child learn, and knowing that she was responsible.

“It’s when a student gets that ‘aha!’ moment when you know that you made a difference,” describes Tong when asked what she loves most about being an educator. “As a new teacher, you think, ‘Oh my gosh, I hope my kids learn from me.’ But as you get to become more familiar in your career, you really come to recognize the impact that a teacher can have in the life of a student.”

When she became vice principal at Maryknoll in 2004, she already had her masters in curriculum and instruction. But being on the other side gave her a whole new glimpse into the education system, and she wanted to learn more about running a school. So she enrolled in Chaminade’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership program and took classes in the evenings.

“It was easy for me to relate to Chaminade,” says Tong. “It was a small class size, and it had a sense of family. And of course, it had the Catholic spirit.”

The program helped her fill in the gaps. She already knew how to teach—but actually running a school was different, and posed new challenges. “I learned more about the business aspect of running a school—law, finance, HR...” says Tong. “The Chaminade program offered an all-encompassing look at what a principal needed to know to run a school. I may not have been fully equipped when I became vice principal, but having those classes gave me the support that I needed.”

What struck her most was how caring her professors were. While she was a student, a close

family member passed away. “I just remember my teachers being so compassionate. When you have a small school setting that has a heart, that’s what Chaminade really modeled for me.”

The program also helped her explore her own role as a Catholic educator. “The teachers we had were good role models for me,” explains Tong. “Not only were they well-versed in their subject area, but they were also a model of what it means to be a Catholic educator.”

Regardless of a child’s faith, Tong believes the Catholic education that Maryknoll provides helps shape children to become more responsible and caring citizens.

“No matter what their denomination or faith, you’re giving them a good moral compass and a moral skill set that will really make them be a better person in our world,” explains Tong. “When we educate our children to be good human beings or good citizens, when children see themselves and their role in the world as bigger than themselves, it’s always enlightening and sets the path for how they take care of other people, making difficult decisions when times are tough.”

That’s especially true in today’s world, as people struggle to navigate through so much uncertainty. “Right now we’re in a pandemic,” says Tong. “I think more than ever, people need something to look forward to. As times change, faith gives you something to rely on; it gives you a sense of responsibility.”

It wasn’t easy assuming a new leadership role in the middle of a pandemic with so many unknowns ahead. Tong’s biggest concern was making sure the parents, students and teachers were all comfortable and confident in the new learning plan.

“Communication is extra key this year because we’re doing everything virtually,” says Tong. “Every day it could change. Being flexible, adaptable, resilient—those are the skills we need in order to really thrive and make sure our children are feeling confident and cared for, and to give them a sense of normalcy, even when the world is crazy out there.”

Ever the optimist, Tong sees Maryknoll’s ability to adapt so quickly to online learning as a testament to the strength and dedication of the team.

“It’s rather exciting to know that your school can shift quite quickly and become adaptable to online learning and online teaching,” she says. “We’re learning to form relationships with students and families in a new way.”

Tong doesn’t know what the future will hold for Maryknoll, or even for education. But she knows that whatever happens, the children will always come first.

“Any time you make a decision and put a child at the center of it, it’s going to be the right decision. Especially in the field of education.”

With her growth mindset, her faith and her support team to guide her, Tong is confident in what is to come with this new normal.

1990s

Kyle J. Atabay

B.S. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ‘92 M.S. COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY ‘97 Kyle Atabay was named Damien Memorial School’s Head of School for the 2020–2021 academic year. For the last two years, Atabay served as the school’s principal.

Mark Dooner

B.S. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ‘99 Mark Dooner has been living full time on the mainland since 2004. He still visits O'ahu regularly—in October and the last few Christmases. He has a condo in Honolulu that will be for sale soon. Dooner says that he would love to catch up with his classmates and “talk story.”

Brandy Sato

B.A. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND B.A. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL STUDIES ‘97 MASTER OF EDUCATION ‘03 Dr. Brandy Sato was named Island Pacific Academy’s secondary principal. Sato has both national and local educational experience, which includes the roles of teacher, curriculum coordinator, and superintendent. Previously, Sato was the vice principal at Sacred Hearts Academy.

Joe Zagorski

A.A. LIBERAL ARTS ‘97 Joe Zagorski is currently working on his fourth book, a biography of former Philadelphia Eagles free safety Bill Bradley, the first man to ever lead the NFL in interceptions two years in a row. His most recent book is a narrative of the 1972 Green Bay Packers, a team that won a division title in spite of having one of the worst head coaches in the modern era of the NFL. Zagorski currently resides in Eastern Tennessee.

2000s

Heathre (Fragapane) Palige

B.S. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ‘02 Heathre Palige has been working from home (still an educator) and spending a lot of time with her one-year-old puppy. Palige says she loves being home with her family and choosing her times to work (no early mornings). Although she feels for those who are struggling, she wishes the best for everyone else who is also stuck indoors. Her message: “take care and hugs to you all!”

Michelle Simmons

B.S. NURSING ‘18 As a registered nurse, Michelle Simmons says she is grateful to Chaminade for a great education equipping her to serve the community during these (COVID-19) times.