Lori Kwee has been a HIDOE teacher for over 30 years and currently serves as a fourth-grade teacher at Ala Wai Elementary. Recently selected as a top five Grand Prize Finalist for the LifeChanger of the Year award for her integrated approach to educating students, Kwee’s classrooms are known to be open inquiry and project-based learning environments that center around student empowerment and voice.
Kwee encourages students to apply their curiosities, skills and knowledge toward community-based projects, applying standards-based curriculum to real world experiences that inspire students to make a difference. Most notably, her students worked to raise awareness around real world issues ranging from bullying prevention to endangered species. Kwee’s students also recently developed a “Share Aloha” brand to foster kindness throughout their entire school community.