Windward School For Adults Names Batchelder Teacher Of The Year

Wednesday - July 20, 2011
By Riana Lum
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Annette Batchelder was honored as Windward Community School for Adults’ teacher of the year during the May commencement ceremony for all seven of Oahu’s adult community schools.

The Colorado native attended San Diego State University and began teaching English as a second language (ESL) while there. When her husband got a job on Oahu 15 years later, Batchelder resumed teaching at WCSA, since it’s close to her home.

She currently teaches ESL and GED classes. “I really like the (ESL) adults,” she said. “They have a richer background and have their own opinions. You learn about every place.”


Starting next summer, however, the state Department of Education intends to cut funding for adult schools, making them generate their own funds. It is likely that class offerings will be cut back and class fees wil be raised, making it hard for low income students to afford classes.

“I think we’ve provided a very valuable service to our undereducated community members in terms of getting them a diploma, opening doors for them, giving them access to jobs as well as promotions within their jobs, as well as access to post secondary institutions, ” said WCSA principal Todd Watanabe. “Sometimes they just need a little help to access these opportunities.”

While the budget cut is concerning, the important thing is that there are teachers like Batchelder who are enthusiastic about educating people, he pointed out.

“She has a good grasp of the teaching and learning process, delivering instruction and being sensitive to the needs of her students,”


Watanabe said. “I think she’s just a good person. She cares for her students as people and has a genuine desire to see them do well.”

When she’s not teaching classes, Batchelder is a busy mother who loves to spend time with her family.

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