Dr. Pascale Creek Pinner, a science teacher at Hilo Intermediate School, has been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. The institution, founded in 1989 and located in Emporia, Kansas, recognizes exceptional career teachers across the United States. Pinner is among only 170 educators to receive this honor.
Pinner’s teaching career spans 37 years, all spent at Hilo Intermediate. She is notably the first woman from Hawaiʻi and the first public school teacher from Hawaiʻi Island to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Her contributions include creating the “Envelopes of Science Awesomeness” program, which provides hands-on science activities for elementary students on Hawaiʻi Island. This initiative has impacted over 2,300 students and was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum and her school’s principal. Additionally, she has been involved in running a summer physics camp for girls.
Pinner emphasizes instilling a lifelong love of science in her students and works with them on projects that highlight the role of science in their community. Her surprise induction was revealed during what she believed to be an interview about Merrie Monarch—a prestigious hula competition—at her school.
Lisa Graff from the National Teacher Hall of Fame presented Pinner with a plaque during the event. Reflecting on her recognition, Pinner expressed disbelief and gratitude: “Wow, you guys really like me!” She added later: “I can’t even tell you what crazy of an honor this is yet.”
A special moment during her induction was when Joel Truesdell, last year’s inductee and a chemistry teacher at Kamehameha Schools on Hawaiʻi Island, presented her with traditional Hawaiian lei while explaining their cultural significance.
As part of her award, Pinner will receive $20,000 for personal use from Canva and an additional $20,000 for Hilo Intermediate School. She noted that this monetary prize is a new addition to the award’s history.
Other recent inductees from Hawaiʻi include Truesdell himself and Jonathan Gillentine in 2017. Gillentine was recognized shortly after his retirement as a mentor teacher for preschool programs under the Executive Office on Early Learning.
