Top Teachers
Saturday, May 10, 1997
Name: Myron Monte
Age: 52
Position: Vice Principal, Farrington High School
Education: University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Singing, playing music
Myron Monte has been described as "a gentle giant" who "packs a weapon, a ukulele." A vice principal at Farrington High, he is in the front line in Kalihi's oft-troubled community. Have ukelele - will inspire
A former professional musician, Monte uses his ukulele and mellow voice as icebreakers and message-bringers. "I believe there is a continuum; at one end is hopelessness, at the other is hope," he said. He always looks on the side of hope. "I see the task of educators to find the strength in students and motivate them to expand that."
He was recently named Hawaii's Assistant Principal of the Year by McDonald's and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
"Your strict but efficient ways have taught students that school is a place to learn and certainly not a place of violence," a student wrote him.
"At 6 feet plus in a school of small Asians and grand Polynesians, Mr. Monte's manner is so nonthreatening that shy newcomers easily approach him in the halls," said teacher Walt Dulaney.
Monte's good nature was evident when he allowed himself to be "attacked" by students armed with 27 cans of whipped cream for a fund-raiser.
Monte is helping lead a school restructuring to create smaller classes with a wider variety of subjects. "His steady inspiration and confidence have kept us all believing that our tremendous dreams for this school are really possible," said Principal Catherine Payne.
Alice Keesing, Special to the Star-Bulletin
