Welcome to the official website for the Kamaile Academy
Kamaile Academy is a K – 9 public conversion charter school located on the Waianae Coast of Oahu. We promote innovation and an ohana learning style through our curriculum, educational programs and expanded learning time.
Ho’okako’o Corporation’s Announcement of Kamaile’s New Leadership Team
Aloha no kakou,At Ho’okako’o, we believe that every student has the right to achieve his or her highest potential.
That path begins with:
- Principals who can develop a vision for change and lead their schools to achieve it
- Highly capable and competitively compensated teachers working in a focused learning community
- An aligned curriculum, integrated from pre-school through graduation in collaboration with other educational providers
- Engaged parents and communities
With its P-20 vision and commitment to extended learning time, Kamaile Academy has taken solid first steps toward transforming learning for our haumana. We are pleased to introduce the leadership team that will build on that foundation by fostering a collaborative environment and creating integrated curriculum with defined and measurable outcomes for our learners.
Emma Weiss, Principal. Emma comes to us from Mt. Tipton School in Kingman, AZ, a small, rural school serving 342 learners from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Under her leadership, Mt. Tipton has transformed from “underperforming” by Arizona state standards to “performing plus.” She has expertise in curriculum alignment, and also worked as program director for a school offering alternative education. Before becoming a principal, Ms. Weiss spent 14 years as a dedicated social worker and mental health consultant, focusing in particular on at-risk youth.
Anna Marie Winslow, Vice Principal, Grades P-2. Anna moves from her current position as Grade Level chair, Math Coach and After School Coordinator to manage grades P-2. She is a dedicated team player and is highly organized with strong interpersonal skills.
Paul Kepka, Vice Principal, Grades 3-6. As the Acting Vice Principal of Kamaile Academy since November 2010, Paul has demonstrated an impressive commitment to our haumana and their learning. He has been with the school since December 2007, serving first as a teacher and then as Dean of Students.
Chris Cale, Vice Principal, Grades 7-10. Chris comes to us from Sarasota High School in Florida, where he has served as Assistant Principal since 2007. He holds a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida, and we welcome his expertise in creating aligned curriculum.
Janeen Mahealani Agosto, Director, Counseling Center. Prior to joining us this year at Kamaile Academy, Mahealani worked as a clinical therapist for Alaka’i Na Keiki, Inc. She is currently studying for her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and her goal is to work within her community to help adults and children live with purpose. She will oversee our counseling, student leadership and positive behavior support programs.
Kenneth S. Ferenchak, Director, Student Support Services Center. Kenny came to Kamaile with Teach for America and has led with energy, creating the geometry curriculum for the High School and organizing Kamaile’s first science fair. In his new role, Kenny will oversee enrichment programs, parent and community partnerships and homeless support programs.
Our processWe were encouraged to receive many applications from educational leaders eager to contribute their knowledge and experience. Our first step in identifying the best candidates was to make sure that the Kamaile Academy faculty and school community and Ho’okako’o, as the Local School Board, shared a common vision for the best leadership characteristics and structure. In February, Acting Principal Kathy Kamo convened a Leadership Search Sub-committee to allow school and community input into the search process. The sub-committee members looked at the challenges to effective teaching and learning at Kamaile and the known qualities of effective educational leaders, and then identified specific areas of emphasis or focus. With that mana’o in mind, we conducted a search for leaders that would:
- Support the growth and development of our teachers;
- Improve support to students with special needs, including English Language Learners (ELL) and social/emotional learning;
- Strengthen the P-12 alignment;
- Improve teaching and learning via aligned and integrated curriculum;
- Develop an accountability system that links achievement with curriculum and instruction.
Perhaps most importantly, we sought leaders who are committed to a collaborative leadership structure. Each of the members on our new team brings knowledge and experience in at least one of these areas; together they will be able to enact the transformational change that our haumana deserve.
Mahalo
As we enter a new and exciting phase for Kamaile Academy, we offer a heartfelt “mahalo palena ‘ole” to Kathy Kamo, who has led the school with strength, compassion and grace over the last 5 months. Under her leadership we have hired new teachers and begun the planning of the High School. She has agreed to offer guidance and support to our new leadership team, and we are lucky to have her commitment to our mission and our students. Truly, our gratitude to her knows no measure.
Mahalo also to all of you for your dedication to all of the students of Kamaile Academy. We know it has been a challenging year, but we are energized and excited about the work ahead.