Judith “Elise” Hannigan, an esteemed educator at Keaau High School, has been named the 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Washington Place on Friday, recognizing her dedication and impact on students over her 13-year tenure at the school.
Hannigan, who serves as a mentor and Freshman Academy coordinator, has consistently inspired her students through her teaching philosophy. She recalls a moment when a nervous student received a note from her before taking the Advanced Placement English exam, which read, “You’ll do on the test exactly as well as you put in the effort to do.” Years later, that same student credited Hannigan’s message as a guiding principle in his own teaching career.
“Those daily little things you do can impact a student’s life,” Hannigan said. “You won’t see the waves until years and years later. It’s really gratifying to know at the end of the day that I might have made a difference.”
Hannigan has taught a variety of classes at Keaau High, ranging from ninth-grade inclusion English to AP literature for seniors. In her role as the Freshman Academy leader, she has launched initiatives that significantly increased student promotion rates from ninth to tenth grade. Under her leadership, the school achieved recognition as a certified model academy through the National Career Academy Coalition.
In addition to spearheading Keaau’s first early college program for seniors, she organizes an annual career exploration fair and oversees the Summer Bridge Program, designed to help incoming freshmen transition smoothly into high school.
Beyond her teaching responsibilities, Hannigan has also contributed to the broader educational community, serving as a mentor for new teachers and participating in various committees, including the Hawaii State Department of Education, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, and the College Board’s Advanced Placement program.
During the ceremony, Governor Josh Green praised Hawaii’s educators, describing them as the “true core of our society.” He reflected on the profound influence of his own teachers, stating, “Thank you from our hearts for being teachers. It is the most important thing that we can do.”
Hannigan expressed her hope to continue representing not only her school but also her complex area and the teaching profession as a whole. “When I wanted to become a teacher, I was often told, ‘You don’t want to do that,’” she shared. “Well, it turns out that I did want to do that, and all of those things and more.”
The event also recognized 15 nominees for the Teacher of the Year award from various complex areas and charter schools. Bryan Silver, the 2025 State Teacher of the Year, served as the emcee, encouraging attendees to remember that such recognition belongs to all educators working tirelessly for their students.
Superintendent Keith Hayashi emphasized that the award celebrates the collective efforts of all teachers across Hawaii. “Today is more than just about selecting one Teacher of the Year. It’s about uplifting all of the incredible teachers across our state who dedicate their lives to nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and preparing our students for a bright future.”
As the educational community comes together to celebrate excellence in teaching, Hannigan’s recognition highlights the profound impact that dedicated educators can have on their students and the wider community.
