Alumnus Miyoko Teddy Pettit-Toledo achieved great heights at Harvard and the Richardson School of Law and attributes much of her success to foundational skills established at Montessori Community School. Paula Brotherton, parent and retired family studies/public health professor, was so inspired by her son’s early learning in a San Diego Montessori school that she enrolled herself in
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL & BOARD PRESIDENT
a Montessori teacher early learning program. Now, she brings all that— educator, parent, and Montessori enthusiast—to her work on the MCS Board of Trustees.
Dear Friends of MCS, Another MCS board member, As we begin the 2020-2021 school year at Montessori Community School
Todd Okamoto, shares how he made
(MCS), we first offer a heartfelt thank you to our supporters, donors, and
the journey from parent to trustee.
volunteers who have stood alongside us during this especially challenging time of global pandemic. There’s no getting around it. We’ve all been deeply
Lisa Browning, Lower Elementary
affected, but we are buoyed by this community’s spirit, rallying together to
teacher, tells her story of shifting
support our children’s learning and healthy development.
from social worker to classroom teacher when she discovered that she
MCS’s gifted community includes:
just “loved it!” while working as an
⋅ Teachers who thoughtfully pivoted to Distance Learning on short notice in
MCS substitute teacher.
the spring and prepared for a safe, excellent start to this school year; ⋅ Parents who “stayed home— stayed safe,” learned to navigate remote
You’ll also learn about Pepi Mottl,
learning, and supported their children as, together, we provided meaningful
MCS Class of 2020, current Punahou
and relevant learning experiences;
student, and budding philanthropist
⋅ Administrators whose knowledge and commitment created new pathways
who earned money doing household
to successfully achieve our goals in Admissions, Marketing, Finance, and
chores to make his first donation as
Health and Wellbeing;
an MCS graduate.
⋅ An extraordinary Board of Trustees that has held true to their charter, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of our school;
The philanthropic community is
⋅ And, you, our donors, whose generosity continues to support MCS as we lay
navigating a new landscape, and
a foundation for lifelong learning and leadership.
we’re confident that the relationships we have with you will see us through
In this issue of Perspectives, please enjoy the stories of a few community
to new vistas of hope and promise.
members who embody the vision and spirit of MCS. Mahalo nui loa for all that you do. Maya Portner, artist and alumnus, brings her talent, philosophy, and passion to her instruction in the Elementary Program. We love how she collaborates
~Marjie & Matt ’99
with teachers to enhance the cultural curriculum. Art is evident in all human endeavors, from technology to T-shirts, painting to pottery, and Maya brings that creativity alive in her students’ hands and hearts.
2
Marjie Carroll,
Matthew Raff,
Head of School
Board President
FUN RUN 2019 On a beautiful day in October 2019, MCS held its annual healthy FUN RUN fundraiser with the goal of helping provide tuition assistance to 18% of our students and support a diverse learning community. Our MCS ‘ohana gathered at Makiki Park for a morning filled with running, walking, smiles, and fun. Over 1,000 laps were logged, including 300+ by our two-year-old students who ran their laps in the Cottage yard. A big mahalo to our Fun Run parent co-chairs, Shannon Ball, James Chan, and Chris Martin, and to all our MCS parents, family, friends, and faculty/ staff for an outstanding event.
3
LEARNING IN THE Like all schools and families, no one in the MCS community thought
TIME OF COVID-19 “It was so fluid in the early days, and we worked with the information we
words like COVID, distance learning, Zoom, and social
had to make plans,” she says, “and then evolved
distancing would become part of our 2019-2020
as the lockdowns and challenges grew.”
school vocabulary. Nor could we have imagined those words surviving into the 2020-2021 year. And yet, the
Her messages reflect the hope everyone shared
unimaginable happened: we were thrust into a global
back in early March, that this disruption would
pandemic and our MCS community had to pivot—quickly.
be short-term, but as more information became available, Carroll and her team shifted to a long-
Head of School Marjie Carroll’s weekly updates from
term reality, retooling their spring break plans
March 20 read like a manifestation of the Montessori
to create time for intensive training and lesson
way - putting children and families first, and then finding
strategies for the virtual classroom.
ways to bring Montessori classrooms into homes across the island. Hoping for the best but always planning for
As Carroll wrote in late March, “It has been an
what could be coming, Carroll and her team remained
intense week as the teachers have learned how
keenly focused on the mental health and educational
to use Zoom, created schedules for meeting
curiosity of the children who are at the heart of the
with students, made copies of work packets, and
MCS community.
written letters for communication.”
4
Teachers trained to work in person
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude
with students in the classroom,
for our MCS families and parents,”
worked hard to master Zoom and
Carroll says. “Teachers tell me
break-out rooms, and reconfigured
how they can hear and see the
their curriculum for the virtual
parents’ commitment to their
platform. “I’m so proud of our
child’s distance learning experience,
team,” Carroll says. “They pivoted
on their own Zoom calls in the
quickly, always making sure to
background and then popping in
Every single member of the MCS
figure out ways to maintain their
to help their child with their work.”
community wants to be back in
personal relationships with their
She knows parents are bearing a
the classroom permanently, and
students through a screen instead
tremendous burden during these
they know the day will come when
of in the classroom.” Parents were
times and that it’s their deep love
the masks are finally put away and
kept in the loop at every step:
and commitment to their children
social distancing is a preference not
they were instructed on when and
that’s making it work.
a requirement. But they also know
where to pick up needed materials
they’ve learned a thing or two during
and work packets, and the MCS
Parents appreciate the transparency
technology staff stood ready to
and guidance they received
asked me a year ago if it would be
help families as they needed it.
from MCS when this notion of
possible to serve our children, throw
distance learning first arose.
graduations and PFA meetings, and
Like every aspect of MCS, the
Paula Brotherton, mother of eight-
‘Tea with Marjie,’ and stay connected
distance learning plans were
year-old Kekoa, pointed to the
with our parents and other MCS
developed with thoughtful
detailed plans and expectations of
supporters all from a computer
consideration of how children
both parents and students as laying
screen, I would have laughed and
learn. Students were expected to
the groundwork for their distance
said ‘Never!’” Carroll says. “And yet,
these unprecedented times. “If you’d
show up for school as they would
learning experience in their house.
we’ve done it. It hasn’t necessarily
in real life — breakfast in their
“Like all families, we’re trying our
been easy, nor perfect, but together
bellies, supplies organized and
best to adapt to the situation,” she
we made it happen. MCS is a thriving
readily at hand, and appropriately
says, “and MCS is right there with us.”
and resilient community.”
dressed (definitely no pajamas). Personal responsibility, a tenet of the MCS community, became the cornerstone of the success of distance learning during these difficult times. Sherri Tisza, mother of Pepi Mottl who is a proud MCS graduate, credits MCS teachings of personal responsibility, time management, and mutual respect to Pepi’s success at Punahou. Like many children this fall, he started a new school with new peers over a Zoom screen, not exactly how he expected his middle school years to unfold. “He was ready for independent learning,” she says, “because MCS laid that groundwork in its teaching and expectations.”
5
CREATING ART & GROWING YOUNG MINDS Maya Portner, Artist-in-Residence & Head of the Art Department
“My priority was to bring the children into my approach to my studio practice, to share with them how I think about art making and also bring visual thinking experience to them,” she says.
When students gather with Maya Portner, the
When her residency ended, a vacancy landed her at MCS
school’s first Artist-in-Residence and now head of
permanently. She’s never looked back. “At the end of my
the art department, they don’t know that she’s an
residency, I was so inspired,” she says. “I realized I hadn’t been
accomplished practicing visual artist—that she’s
that creative in years!”
received numerous awards of excellence in the arts, that she has commissioned work installed at
Portner makes a strong case that art is as essential to a child’s
Scripps Institute of Oceanography, among other
education as other disciplines. “The kind of thinking that’s
places, that her work hangs in art galleries around
required when you make art — the character building, the
the country, and so much more. All they know is
decision-making—you have an opportunity to be in a realm
that they get to create, imagine, get messy, and tap
where there’s a multitude of right answers,” she says. “It’s not
ingenuity they didn’t even know they had. And
the specifics of the decisions you make, but that you make a
that’s exactly what she wants.
decision with confidence.” For Portner, art presents a safe space to learn to make decisions confidently, practice taking risks, and
“The Artist-In-Residence is a master in their field
find magic in the mistakes.
who comes to share their knowledge with the students, often working with the elementary teachers who have elementary art in their background,” Portner says. As the first one, she got to imagine all the possibilities and put the program in place.
6
~Maya Portner
She also points out that drawing is a vital skill that everyone can learn, but sadly, it’s not made an educational priority. “We stop learning how to draw,” she says, “but we continue to learn how to write.” She believes this learned skillset — creating a two-dimensional visualization of a thought or an idea — is an essential communication tool that too many children never learn. She’s changing that with her students. Portner sometimes taps into the curriculum for inspiration. When the Upper Elementary students were studying The Great Migration, for example, she introduced them to Jacob Lawrence, a Black artist who migrated from the south, eventually landing in Harlem and becoming part of the Harlem Renaissance. Lawrence’s series of 60 paintings captured the conditions of the migration and inspired her students to create their own works of the era. She then fast forwarded to modern times, exposing her students to the Syrian immigrants making their way across the world. She pulled photos of immigrants sitting in boats, walking with backpacks, sitting in tents with their children, and gave them to her students. “They traced the photos with a brush and goopy ink,” she says, and then they pressed their creation into a monoprint. “The print-making surprise of what just happens when you press was magical— creating art that is haunting and beautiful and ghost-like.” The children are creating, having fun, making a mess, but Portner sees young minds growing essential life skills. She sees social and emotional learning, self-reflection, the expression of ideas and thoughts and beliefs. “It’s ridiculous to think of art as separate from other subjects,” she says, “because it’s just another means, another way of thinking. Art is what makes us human.”
7
“I’ve often thought about what it would be like if I’d found teaching earlier,” she says, “and yet my life experiences have helped me in my teaching.” She relies on her social work experience frequently, helping students focus on their feelings, for example. “At this age, they are really focusing on people outside themselves for the first time— they want a friend, to be part of a group, and that’s a learned behavior that I can help with,” she says. “Human beings don’t grow through an assembly line process,” she says. “I have 24 students and there are 24 styles of learning. They are all so different, and yet so bright and intelligent and it comes out in such interesting ways.” She laughs as she recalls a recent Zoom moment, with all the little faces in their blocks on her screen. “One little girl was making a very assertive point that she was really good at math,” she says, “and I saw all the other little faces fall a bit.” She quickly pivoted. “I said, ‘Isn’t it so interesting how some brains are so ready for math and other brains are so ready for reading and others are so ready for making friends?’” That’s
FUELED BY COMPASSION Lisa Browning, Lower Elementary Teacher and an inspiration to her students - who inspire her in return
Montessori, making space for everyone, at their pace, celebrating their strengths. Browning has so much compassion for parents, especially during COVID, but even during normal times. “I realize now I was way too involved with my children, always hovering, protecting them,” she
Lisa Browning didn’t know teaching would turn out to be her passion.
says. “I see now that I should have let
With a Masters in social work, she started down that path until her
things happen, because we’re not letting
children came along, and then stayed home with them until they started
our children become resilient and
school. When a tutoring job popped up at her child’s school, she took it,
responsible if we don’t let consequences
which led to substitute teaching, which eventually landed her subbing
play out.” She gets it when parents
at MCS. “It was a long-term subbing position, with the teacher out on
return home to retrieve the forgotten
maternity leave,” she says. “And I loved it!” When the teacher decided not
shoes or lunch or homework, and
to return the following year, Browning went to the Head of School and
yet she knows that the controlled
asked for the job, promising to get to the mainland for all the necessary
consequences—being barefoot all
Montessori training. A new career and a new passion were born, and 12
day, for example—will drive home the
years later, there’s no turning back.
responsibility to not forget next time.
8
“I have such compassion for parents
Inspiration fueled by little minds
because there is something about the
growing, exploring, and finding new
love you have for your child that can
horizons —that’s the stuff Browning gets
be almost irrational,” she says. “I can
up for every morning.
make suggestions to parents, but I also understand that the parent may not be
“If you follow the tenets of Montessori, the
able to do that yet.”
belief is that every child is deserving of the
Browning has many classroom
or doctor,” she says. Browning describes
same respect you give your friend, spouse, moments that inspire her —the deep
the school’s curriculum as humane, letting
despair of the little boy who excelled
children learn at their own limits and
at everything except spelling because
giving them enough freedom to explore
he wasn’t studying the words and then
on their own. “We have these children for
his joy when he figured it out and got
three years, so if we don’t get to something
them all right; another child, who at
today, there’s always tomorrow.”
the 6th grade graduation remembered back to 1st grade when, as he struggled with reading, his teachers gave him a long poem to read, and when he balked, Browning’s co-teacher said simply, “Yes, you can do this.” He did, and he never forgot it. Then there’s the little girl, when studying Pangea, popped her hand up and said, “So if you’re in a canoe in Africa and all of a sudden you bump into Asia, you’d get squished?”
~Lisa Browning
9
“Because I’ve been through the training myself, I know how important it is, and it ensures we have the teachers we need to maintain the accreditation.” During distance learning, Brotherton created a Montessori classroom in Kekoa’s bedroom, using baskets and trays to organize learning materials just as they are at school. “Montessori designs a classroom that students are naturally drawn to,” she says. “It’s elegant, supported by research, and cultivates selfmotivated, confident students.” Brotherton is honored to serve on the board, and is struck by how often
DEEPLY COMMITTED Paula Brotherton, A Board Member, A Donor, and A Mother
the board turns to the “Montessori method” when making decisions.
Paula even got her Montessori certificate to work with three- to six-year olds, becoming deeply involved in the San Diego school.
An educator by training, Paula Brotherton taught human
“We wanted an accredited Montessori school, and then we
development/family studies and
learned MCS had been here since
public health at Purdue University
1972—which is a long time!” she says.
and then San Diego State University before retiring and returning
“We came to see it, and what I saw
~Paula Brotherton
were actions and behaviors that
to Hawaii. Research runs in her
truly create a space where children
Today, Kekoa is eight-years-old, and
blood, and when she read the book
can learn naturally. When I saw the
graduation decisions loom on the
Montessori: The Science Behind the
classroom, I knew it would be the
distant horizon. Brotherton looks
Genius, she was all in.
perfect place for Kekoa.”
to the graduates, many now adults,
When Brotherton and her husband,
Today, Brotherton serves on
and their experiences here. “It’s such
Tom, starting thinking of moving
the board at MCS, working on
a special place,” she says, “and so
home, it’s not a stretch to say that
the marketing and the trustee
much passion and longevity. We have
finding the right Montessori school
committees. She’s also deeply
teachers who are now teaching the
was the final tipping point.
committed to supporting the
children of previous students.” Those
school financially, giving to the
graduates are the proof of concept
Their son, Kekoa, attended a
fund established to send teachers
for Brotherton. She’s confident that
Montessori school in San Diego from
to the Mainland for Montessori
Kekoa will thrive wherever he goes
22-months-old, and Brotherton saw
training. “This fund is dear to our
next, and she will know exactly
who are still passionate about MCS
the difference it made in his growth
hearts, and we’ve given to it since
where that self-motivation and
and development.
its inception,” she says.
confidence came from.
10
11
PHILANTHROPY AT WORK This Annual Report of Giving is prepared by the Development Department
Memorial and Gifts In Honor
in recognition of the many generous gifts the school receives from parents,
A memorial gift to MCS can help
former parents, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends. The report lists all gifts
perpetuate the values that guided a
received from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, unless otherwise
loved one’s life. Gifts may also honor
stated. It includes gifts for Give Aloha, Aloha United Way, Fun Run, year-end
a person during his or her lifetime,
appeal, grants, Kupuna Days, cash donations, and matching gifts. We make
or commemorate a significant
every effort to ensure that listings are accurate. However, if your name was
event. These thoughtful gifts are a
omitted or listed incorrectly, we sincerely apologize. We hope you will inform
tribute to those who touch the lives
us accordingly by contacting the Development Office at (808) 522-0244 or
of our students.
development@montessorihawaii.org so that we may correct our records. Thank you again for your caring support of MCS! Visionary - $5,000+
Mentor - $500-$999
Mentor - $500-$999 (cont.)
Glenn and Susan Shea10+
Benjamin Jr. and Patricia Ancheta10+
Susan Siebert10+
The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation#
Anonymous (1)10+
Eileen Uchima10+
Ace and Denise Ellinwood5+
Gary and Lynn Yamamoto
Leader - $1,000-$2,499
Shinichi and Yasuko Fujimoto5+
Anonymous (1)
Jerome and Paula Fukuda
Educator - $100-$499
Tom and Paula Brotherton5+
Buddy and Melga Gendrano5+
Mark and Deborah Abe
Marjie Carroll3+
Todd Iacovelli
Neal Agamaite and Kerrie Urosevich10+
Foodland Super Market, Ltd.#≥15+
Michael Lam and Mari Kishida
Dr. Kenneth Allison and Ms. Lisa Grant3+
Lance Garrison and Nicole Gesik Garrison3+
Joanne Le5+
Amazon.com, Inc.#5+
Steve Holaday10+
Leahi Swim School#20+
AmazonSmile Foundation#3+
Mark, Rachel, and Sara Macke15+
Nelnet Business Solutions
Anonymous (1)10+(1)
Joseph Mottl III and Sherri Tisza5+
Network for Good
Stephanie Asato
Matthew Raff ‘99 and Hannah Raff3+
Jeffrey Peterson and Sarah Grekin
John and Paulette Ball
Patrick and Patsy Tom20+
Barry Raff and Kathleen McIntyre
Phuong Ball5+
YourCause, LLC Trustee for New York Life#≥3+
Jake and Cathy Ross3+
Shannon Ball and Frances Gendrano5+
KEY: 12
≥ = Matching Gift
# = Foundation/Corporation Giving
Years of Consecutive Giving (3+ only if given in last 3 years: 9/17-8/20): 20+/15+/10+/5+/3+
Educator - $100-$499 (cont.)
Paul and Joanne Kennedy5+
Andrew Robbins and Wendy Dela Cruz
James Bayman and Miriam Stark5+
Lucas Won and Sarah Kim5+
James and Janis Rodden
Mick and Holly Bednarek
Mrs. Yukiko Kunimune5+
Sharon Ross3+
Buddy and Nancy Bottelo5+
Jennifer Lau3+
Michael and Marti Rounds
John Bradley and Hope Ishii3+
Andrew Le and Teri Fukuhara-Le
Clifton and Abby Royston
Philip and Lisa Browning10+
Ileana Lee
Joe Ryan and Jeanne Miyasaka5+
Marilou Brownlie
Steve Lee and Allison Rodden-Lee
Julia Saito ‘07
Paul Bursey5+
Marek and Naoko Lehocky
Kayo Sakamoto
Aaron Campbell and Yuko Oshika3+
Marian and John Leong10+
Angelica Santiago
Fuguang Cao and Xiaohui Yang
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Loo5+
Harold and Linda Sato5+
Clement Ching and Jaclyn Lum5+
Michele Loudermilk
Kenji Sato
Spencer and Connie Ching3+
Calbert and Cynthia Lum5+
Tony and Valerie Schmidt5+
Song and Paveenin Cho5+
Madhu Lundquist and Chelsea Jackson-
Dan Sheild
Kevin and Janyce Connelly3+
Lundquist
Jonathan Shim and Christine Pong
Robert and Pamela Davig
Matt and Veronica Luttrell
Sandra Shim5+
Wheeler and Maricel Dawkins5+
Fumi Mahara
Dr. and Mrs. Walton K. T. Shim5+
Sean and Brooke Dee5+
Manoa Cottage Carehome
Kazuo and Kathy Shirakawa20+
Frederick and Nikki Delse5+
Christopher Martin and Kazue
Alexander Shor and Joan Gardner
Jane Dewell
Takashima3+
Adam Spurgat and Jacey Waterhouse10+
Gavin Doi and Mari Kishimoto Doi3+
Chris and Amy Marvin3+
Ryan and Yukiko Sugamoto
John Egan and Mabel Wong5+
Michael and Kay Marvin3+
Verne and Debra Takagi
Steve and Charlene Flanter
Mr. and Mrs. Roy A. Masatsugu
Fana Takahashi
Kelly and Kristie Fong3+
Pauline Mashima
Michael and Rebeka Takayama5+
Takashi Fujimoto
John and Gayle McEntire5+
Jennifer Tom ‘9010+
Glenn and Pearl Fukuhara
MCS Class of 2020
Royce Tomson3+
Kuolin Fung and Yinphan Tsang3+
Dale and Alison Miller3+
Clyde and Margo Torigoe5+
Nicolas and Sherry Gaillard5+
Michael and Sara Miller
Cenon and Tsuruko Usita5+
Evelyn Gallagher
Tim and Carrie Mingle
Dennis Uyehara5+
Gary and Audrey Garrison
Michael and Doris Miyasaka5+
Cmdr. Robert Walls and Ms. Ashley Barron
Brian and Cheryl Gesik3+
Lester Morehead and Chi-Cheng
Jin Ji Wang and Min Jia Zhou
Patrick and Mari Gesik3+
Morehead-Yang
Kevin Washington and Petrice Flowers5+
Jennica M. Goo
Kazumi Mori
Erik and Jenny West5+
Gordon and Fusako Grant3+
Rodney and Cheryl Moriyama5+
Western Union Foundation#≥5+
Bonnie Hair
Jerry and Laura Mueller10+
David and Laurie White15+
Jay Hanamura ‘963+
Lester Nakamura
Bruce and Charmain Wong
Karen Hasegawa
Roy Nakasato5+
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Yamamoto3+
Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable
James and Lisa Nakata20+
Karen K. Yamamoto
Foundation#≥5+
Michael and Sara Nieling5+
Tokiko Hayashi
Mavis Nikaido5+
Supporter - up to $99
Zhuen He and Qihong Wang
Yeiko J. Nowaki
Bradley and Priscilla Hee5+
Gary and Judith Okamoto3+
James and Amy Honey
Susan and Patrick Oshiro5+
Katsuhiro and Megumi Hoshi5+
Bob and Carol Lee Owens5+
Sean Iida and Jennifer Shim5+
Jason and Marissa Owens5+
Melvin Y. Ishii
Jennifer Oyer
Sakiko Ito
Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Peters15+
Larry and Lynn Jackson5+
Ted and Catherine Pettit10+
James and Alison Kang3+
Yuri Rhoden
Kei Kawai and Saki Hayashi
Diana Richardson
KEY:
≥ = Matching Gift
# = Foundation/Corporation Giving
Liane Abe Kern and Shawn Agader Tom and Kelly Allen Gene Altman Dr. Darius Amjadi and Ms. Beverly Davis5+ Dr. Moria Amjadi5+ Anonymous (4)5+(1)3+(1) Sue Asato Kenneth and Biljana Baker Brady and Christine Battad5+ Kaya A. Battad Kathy Beale Margaret Bellamy Mr. and Mrs. Noah Branscom5+
Years of Consecutive Giving (3+ only if given in last 3 years: 9/17-8/20): 20+/15+/10+/5+/3+ 13
Supporter - up to $99 (cont.)
Patrick and Jean Braun Steven and Aileen Camello3+ Ruth Canda3+ Sue Canda Alan B. Carpenter James and Miho Chan10+ Joe and Elena Chan10+ Ms. Kazuko Chan5+ Micah Chan ‘15 Noriko Chang Pearl Chang Anabelle Cho Jackson Cho and June Choong Milton and LiAnn Choy5+ Candice Chun Ed and Patricia Chung James and Molly Cooper5+ Susan Cooper Joachim Cox Angelica Cruz Dan Curran Andrew Currivan and Kimm Teruya Monika Day5+ Jason and Heather Deigert Ty and Jasmine Dempsey Sandra Dias Gary and Mary Doi Gary and Carmen Dunn Robert Dunn5+ Lisa Eveleth Jennifer Ezekiel Ron and Naomi Fenstemacher Robert Fricke Ty Lil Fukuhara Babette Galang5+ Dylan Gallagher Jonathan Gallagher and Nicole Altman Mary Gallison Josephine Garcia Michael and Yukiko Garcia Kyle and Raylene Gieg Karen Goertz Travis Goldstrom5+ ustin and Audra Goo5+ Reggie Gorham and Toby Portner Andrew Greene and Jan Brunson Merle Grybowski Bryan J. Gushiken Dean and Debbie Gushiken5+ James and Myra Gushiken5+ Annie Hallstein3+ Julia Hammer Sheree Hashimoto Augusta Hau Philip Hau Eiji Hayashida Debbie Hedrick Kenneth and Winifred Hee5+ Beth Heikkila Ron and Ruth Hirahara Evonne Ho Bernard R. Hoffman Ryan Honda Jamie Hu Oscar Ho and Emma Hu5+ Yun C. Hu and Qi Jun Peng Joanne Ide KEY: 14
≥ = Matching Gift
Karen Ide Kimiyo Ide Kimi Ide-Foster Joy L. Ishii Sam Jackson Jerard and Nathasha Jardin3+ Patricia Jardin-Urieff3+ Steve and Lois Kakuni5+ Charles and Lauren Kam5+ Deb Kastner Sayumi Kawai Takahiro Kawakami Suga Kim Janine Kiyono Lynn Laible Joshua and Stephanie Lake3+ Leonard and Mary Lau3+ Allyna Lee Jimmy Lee Sandra Lee Vincent and Julia Lee Richard and Georgia Lees5+ Jonah Letoto Louis and Wendy Letoto Kuo Lian Shih-Chung Liao and Hsiao-Yu Liu John and Courtney Lin5+ Lisa Liu Matthew and Beatriz Loo5+ Aaron Lowe Barry and Wendi Major Andrea Malhi Carol Marlow Bud Martin Joel Masatsugu Carl Matsuura Carol Maxym Natasha McAlister Finn D. McCall and Abigail Holden Rob and Alena McEntire Clare McFadden Etsuko Michalina Charles Miller Evan Miller3+ Noa H. Mingle David K. Miyasaka5+ Christine Monson James and Lauren Moriarty Mana and Sarah Moriarty Reid and Sandra Moriyama Charles and Maria Mosher Pepi Mottl ‘20 Aya Munezuka Cathie Muni5+ Steve R. Nakamura Dana Nakasato5+ Gordon T. Nihei5+ Genki Nomura Susan K. Oliva Carol O’Neil Marc and Ruth Orbito5+ Shannon O’Shea Dennis Oshio3+ Aquamarine Pahio Maya L. Portner Amalia Prado Bill and Betsy Rezel5+ Eddie and Sulia Ricote5+
# = Foundation/Corporation Giving
Tony Russell Stan and Georgette Sakumoto Bruce Schlieman and Marisa Proctor5+ Roshani Scott3+ Lukas Sheild3+ Lita Shelton Solomon and Dara Shelton Marilyn Shigetani Doug and Leila Shimokawa Luke S. Shimokawa Myles and Carol Shimokawa3+ Cindy Shyne15+ Bob and Ester Sisson5+ Wayne L. Smith and Nur Asrida Mohd Jamil Starr W. Snead5+ Roberta Sprague Bryan and Amie Staman5+ Chieko Steele Jim and Jeri Steiner Keith and Emily Steiner James and Karen Suehiro Kevin and Chigusa Suehiro Howard and Laverne Sugamoto Kyoka Sugi Ross and Audrey Sutherland Christopher and Cari Suzuki3+ Mebratu Tabor and Maya Maxym Grant Jones and Taea Takagi-Jones ‘963+ Janice Takahashi Linda Takai Michelle Takemoto Brenda Tang Colleen Teramae Lelani Teruya Ray Masaru Teruya The Benevity Community Impact Fund TisBest Philanthropy Ladd and Kristyn Torigoe5+ Peggy Umetsu Elizabeth Villaroman Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Walters, Jr. Jeffrey and Edna Walters5+ Kent Walther and Yunji deNies Christine Wang Randall Whattoff Jennifer Wolff Christopher and Ayami Won Leo Won Raymond and Gwendolyn Won Lisa Won-Borges Deneen Wong5+ Tiffany Wong Roy and Hisako Yamamoto3+ Jace Yamashiro Mami Yanagawa Tess Yasui Joy Yoshioka Marjorie S. Yoshioka Ken Zienkiewicz
Years of Consecutive Giving (3+ only if given in last 3 years: 9/17-8/20): 20+/15+/10+/5+/3+
2019-2020
In Memory of Brian Hanamura and Jim Cowen
LEGACY
Jay Hanamura
In Memory of Hong Kin
FAMILIES
and Clara Hoo Patrick and Patsy Tom
In Honor of Susan Siebert Buddy and Nancy Bottelo
Our 47-year history provides us the privilege of welcoming a second generation of learners
In Honor or James “Jimmy”
to MCS. Listed below are the Legacy Families enrolled during 2019-2020 school year.
Takeshi Ng
*Designates MCS alum.
Harold and Linda Sato Jack Avery (Preschool & Kindergarten) and Madison Avery (Preschool & Kindergarten)
The Jerry Mueller Fund for
Ryan* and Melissa Avery
Montessori Teacher Training In Honor of Rebecca Egan ’10 from
Kenzo Battad (Preschool & Kindergarten) and Kaya Battad (Upper Elementary) Brady and Christine (Oshio*) Battad
John Egan and Mabel Wong
Cayla Ching (Two-Year-Old) and Carly Ching (Lower Elementary)
In Honor of Samaya Gorham ‘11 from
Clement Ching and Jaclyn Lum*
Reggie Gorham and Toby Portner In Honor of Kai Rounds from
Ian “Kai” Delse (Upper Elementary) and Evan Delse (Upper Elementary) Frederick and Nikki (Torigoe*) Delse
Michael and Marti Rounds
Orion Jones (Preschool & Kindergarten) Grant Jones and Taea Takagi-Jones ‘96* Kylie Nakamura (Preschool & Kindergarten) Gavin* and Colleen Nakamura Caleb Owens (Preschool & Kindergarten) Jason* and Marissa Owens Ava Quinlan (Upper Elementary) Michael Quinlan and Allison (Shea*) Quinlan Lionel Raff (Two-Year-Old) Matt ‘99* and Hannah Raff Amaia Shelton (Two-Year-Old) Solomon and Dara (Chung*) Shelton Aviv Trauernicht (Lower Elementary) and Rami Trauernicht (Preschool & Kindergarten) Clay Trauernicht and Talia Portner*
KEY:
≥ = Matching Gift
# = Foundation/Corporation Giving
Years of Consecutive Giving (3+ only if given in last 3 years: 9/17-8/20): 20+/15+/10+/5+/3+ 15
A YOUNG PHILANTHROPIST IN THE MAKING Pepi Mottl, 2020 MCS graduate and seventh grader at Punahou. “I thought ‘philanthropist’ was something you had to go to college and get a degree in,” says Pepi Mottl. “But I looked it up, and while it sounds fancy, it’s really just someone who gives.” And so he did. Pepi has watched his parents give to the school over the years, but it only recently occurred to him that he could do that. “My mom told me how she gives, and how I could, too,” he said. He earned the money by washing
In May of 2020, Pepi and his family
From that messy backpack, Pepi is
the car (which he reports was fun,
hadn’t imagined his graduation
now a dedicated learner, a student
except for the bad sunburn) and do-
from MCS, after nine adventure-
who enjoys school and wants to
ing chores, and proudly made a $20
filled years at the school, would
be busy. “My friend and I created
donation to the MCS Fund.
happen at their dining room table
a summer school for us this
remotely rather than the traditional
year, doing piano, math, reading,
festive ceremony of years past.
chores, outdoor activity,” he says.
“But they pulled it off,” says Pepi’s mother, Sherri Tisza. “They did a
They tracked their progress on the app Unruler, including reading
beautiful job in these unimaginable
at least 65 pages every day. “It
circumstances.”
was good that I had to do that
-Pepi Mottl
work before I could play with my Now a seventh grader at Punahou,
dog,” he says. “Summer school
Pepi says, “and I remember
Pepi reports that he has made a
helped us not lose ourselves in our
Ms. Monika, a new teacher in fifth
smooth transition seems to be
isolated houses for humans.”
grade, and how cool and fun she was.”
thriving in this strange new distancelearning world. Tisza laughs that they chose MCS because it was in
some creativity, and a
their neighborhood, never knowing
commitment to a school Pepi
that it would be the perfect school
loves. That one gift, and he’s
for their children. “I believe MCS
hooked. Now he plans to give
prepared Pepi for the unexpected,
annually, doing chores to earn the
like the pandemic,” Tisza says. “I
money. “I can wash the car and
remember his crazy messy first
help around the house so I can
grade backpack, and now I see his
give money every year,” he says,
books all lined up and organized and everything is color-coded.” 16
That’s all it took — a suggestion,
“because it’s a cool school and a fun school.”
As expected, her commitment to her work matches that to her education. “The most rewarding part of my job is helping people put conflicts behind them and move forward with peace.” She also credits the self-directed and individualized learning that MCS offered with making her a life-long learner.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Miyoko Teddy Pettit-Toledo, MCS Alumna
-Miyoko Teddy Pettit-Toledo It’s been a few years, but Pettit-Toledo lights up when asked about her MCS memories. “There are so many!” she says, “from Ms. Norine’s class where I would pour water from cups to bins, to Ms. Danni’s class where
While it sometimes seems like high school gets all the attention,
we could build the Pink Tower and play on
what with its proms and football and AP classes, the MCS commu-
the monkey bars, to Ms. Lisa’s class where
nity knows it’s the early years that foster and mentor those future
she would teach us Japanese folk songs and
leaders and shakers in their fields and in their community.
celebrate birthdays by walking around the sun holding an inflatable earth ball, to
Take a look at Miyoko Teddy Pettit-Toledo. She toddled into MCS
Mrs. Morita’s class where we did school
at 18 months old and stayed through fifth grade before heading off
work to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, and so
to ‘Iolani. She graduated high school in 2007 (as valedictorian of
many more!”
course), graduated from Harvard in 2011 (magna cum laude), and then the William S. Richardson School of Law in 2015 (valedictori-
She pauses and laughs, recalling those good
an, summa cum laude). Clearly, she’s got game.
times. “It’s crazy to think about now, earth
But even with all those accomplishments, it’s her time at MCS she
that my parents enrolled me there at such a
credits with her successes. “My time management, organization,
young age.” Given her success and trajectory,
and goal setting skills were fostered and hard-set at MCS, and those
it’s a safe bet that they’re glad too.
balls and Frank Sinatra tunes. I’m so grateful
skills carried me in high school, college and law school,” she says. She’s quick to point out that that’s not all. “The MCS community was small but diverse, with teachers who are the most compassionate and loving people I’ve ever known,” she says. “Compassion, respect, and community — it’s what brought us together, and 25 years later, that sense of community and friendship is still strong.” Today, Pettit-Toledo is the new executive director of Maximum Legal Services Corporation (aka MaxCorp), a trust and estate administration non-profit, after previously working as an associate attorney at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, one of Hawaii’s premier law firms. 17
When asked how he got on the MCS Board, his response is simple: “I don’t know,” he laughs. “I took a few casual calls over the years asking about this or that, and then a few years later, I was on the Board.” He recalls his first Board meeting, which was when masks were just coming into play as a protection from COVID. “It was weird,” he says, “because they couldn’t see my facial expressions,” and he wanted to make a good first impression. “I said yes to the request because I want to contribute whatever I can to the success and sustainability of the school,” he says.
-Todd Okamoto Said differently, he likes that MCS doesn’t consider children as commodities, but rather unique and individual and independent minds — exactly as he
GENUINE CONTRIBUTIONS Todd Okamoto, A Parent, A Board Member, A Donor, and Assistant Controller at REHAB Hospital of the Pacific
sees his two children, Aven (age 6) and Trey (age 8), both MCS students. Of his Board colleagues, he holds deep respect and admiration. “Boards have their own personalities,” he says. “This one is filled with well-spoken, genuine people who offer well-considered answers and are deeply committed to the school.”
Todd Okamoto is an Eagle Scout. Getting things done and
As for his contribution as a Board member, he’s
giving back to his community is in his blood. “I’m hard-
modest and still figuring it out. “I’m not looking to
wired to remain engaged and contribute,” he says. “I grew
transform the school,” he says. “I just want to be a
up in a household that encouraged contributing to the
resource, stay in my lane, and not interfere with day-
community, and to hope that someday you can leave the
to-day management.”
community a better place.” As for his rationale for taking the post, his answer He didn’t think much of it over the last few years when the
is much more emphatic. “I love how I’ve watched
MCS Board’s finance committee reached out to him a few
my kids grow and learn at MCS.” When it’s your own
times, wanting his input and take on some documents.
children, nothing matters more.
Okamoto is a numbers guy, mostly because his sister warned him that if didn’t pick a major early in college, he’d
President: Matthew Raff Past President: Kerrie Urosevich Vice President: Todd Iacovelli Secretary: Catherine Taschner Treasurer: Mark Duda Head of School: Marjie Carroll
end up with a philosophy degree and not much to do with it. “So I just looked over the list of majors, saw accounting, and said, ‘OK, I’ll do that,’” he says. It was a good call. His advanced education in public accounting and business has landed him in some impressive roles, including at Stanford University, Hawaii Pacific Health, and now as Assistant Controller at REHAB Hospital of the Pacific. 18
Paula Brotherton Lisa Browning Kay Burgoyne Fran Gendrano
Jay Hanamura Chris Marvin Sherri Tisza
2020 - 2021 New Trustee Treasurer: Todd Okamoto
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020 The students gathered in their own homes with their families, as their fellow Upper Elementary peers, their teachers, Ms. Andee and Ms. Monika, Ms. Carroll, Head of School, and many other teachers and supporters from years gone by, joined together for a Virtual Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony began with a beautiful rendition of the MCS ‘Oli Kahea welcome from 3rd grade Lower Elementary students, and then speeches were given by each 6th grader - Connor, Evan, Izzy, Malia, Marius, Pepi, Ronan, and Tayven reflecting on their years at MCS, followed by the giving and
Here is a list of the schools they are attending in the
receiving of lei and the diplomas shared.
2020 - 2021 school year:
The screen was filled with happy faces, many smiles and a
MCS Class of 2020
few emotional tears, and mostly a great deal of pride in our accomplished students. MCS has helped these graduates
Hawaii Baptist Academy ‘Iolani School
prepare for life beyond our doors, and we know they are
Mid-Pacific Institute
going to do great things!
Niu Valley Middle School
Applied
Accepted
Attending
1
1
0
3
2, 1WL
1
7
7
1
n/a
n/a
1
Punahou School
5
5
4
SEEQS
1
1
1
1
1WL
0
(The School for Examining Essential Questions for Sustainability)
University Laboratory School
19
Montessori Community School 1239 Nehoa Street Honolulu, HI 96822-3071 www.montessorihawaii.org
Members of the Montessori Legacy Society are among Montessori Community School’s most important partners. Gifts that qualify for the Montessori Legacy Society create a legacy that will shape the future of MCS and its students for generations to come. With your gift, MCS invites you to membership in the Montessori Legacy Society. If you have been so generous as to include a bequest to MCS as part of your estate plan, please let us know as we wish to acknowledge your gift and welcome you to the Society. You will join a community of special people whose commitment to excellence in Montessori education will secure the future of MCS students, programs and operations for the future. Please call (808) 522-0244 or email development@montessorihawaii.org if you would like to learn more. Thank you for your generous support!
Education for Life