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Contact: David Miyashiro
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TEACH FOR AMERICA–HAWAI‘I WELCOMES CANDY SUISO OF AWARDWINNING SEARIDER PRODUCTIONS TO REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Suiso Brings Experience From Distinguished Education Career on the Leeward Coast of O‘ahu
HONOLULU, January 14, 2016—Teach For America–Hawai‘i announced today that it has
welcomed Candy Suiso to its regional advisory board. As executive director for Wai‘anae
High School–Searider Productions, Candy Suiso oversees one of the most innovative digital
media programs in the nation. Currently, she is focused on increasing the number of
commercial and professional projects in which students participate. She also oversees
fundraising initiatives and has successfully spearheaded efforts securing state, federal, and
private grants. Candy grew up in Makaha, graduated from Wai‘anae High School, received
her B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and obtained her teaching certificate from
Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 1999, she received a prestigious National Educator
Award from the Milken Family Foundation. She began her teaching career as a Spanish
teacher at Wai‘anae High before starting Searider Productions in 1993. She and her husband
Mark are owners of Makaha Mangoes, home to over a dozen different varieties of mangoes.
“Teach For America–Hawai‘i is thrilled to welcome Candy to our regional advisory board,”
said Jill Baldemor, executive director of Teach For America–Hawai‘i. “Candy has had an
impressive career as a distinguished educator, innovative businesswoman, and respected
community member on the Leeward Coast of O‘ahu. She has helped foster the leadership of
students in Wai‘anae by empowering them to develop their academic, professional, and
personal skills through innovative media projects and opportunities. Teach For America–
Hawai‘i supports many teachers on the Leeward Coast, and we’re looking forward to the
guidance of such a respected leader.”
“Candy Suiso is an outstanding addition to our regional advisory board,” said H. Mitchell
D’Olier, Teach For America–Hawai‘i Regional Advisory Board chair. “As Teach For America–
Hawai‘i has continued to grow and adapt over the last 10 years, our board has brought
together diverse community voices to provide guidance and feedback. I am confident that
Candy will bring valuable perspectives and experiences as Teach For America works with
communities to end educational inequity.”
“I’m excited and looking forward to working with this great organization,” said Candy Suiso.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact Teach For America has made along the Wai‘anae Coast.”
Teach For America-Hawai‘i Regional Advisory Board
H. Mitchell D’Olier—Chairman, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation
Jeff Arce—Partner and CFO, The MacNaughton Group
Trever Asam—Partner, Cades Schutte LLP
Christine Bean—Program Manager, Roberts Foundation
Sharon Shiroma Brown—Senior Vice President, First Hawaiian Bank; President, First
Hawaiian Bank Foundation
Benjamin Godsey—President and CEO, ProService Hawai‘i
Jill Shimokawa Higa—Senior Executive Vice President & Division Manager of Branch &
Community Banking, Bank of Hawai‘i
Paul Kosasa—President and CEO, ABC Stores
Ritchie Mudd—Founder & Former CEO, RSI Roofing and Building
Sissie Pittullo—Child advocate, Attorney, and Educator
Candy Suiso—Executive Director, Searider Productions
About Teach For America–Hawai‘i
Teach For America–Hawai‘i works in partnership with communities to expand educational
opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. Founded in 2006 on O‘ahu and
2009 on Hawai‘i Island, Teach For America–Hawai‘i recruits and develops a diverse corps of
outstanding college graduates and professionals to make an initial two-year
commitment to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the movement
to end educational inequity. Our broader mission is to enlist, develop, and mobilize as many
as possible of our nation’s most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the
movement for educational equity and excellence. As Teach For America–Hawai‘i nears its
10th anniversary, the organization has had a profound impact in the islands by recruiting
and developing more than 700 teachers over the last decade, many of whom are working
across career sectors—including education, law, business, medicine, and government—to
improve the opportunities of young people and fight for educational equity. For more
information, visit our home page and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Teach For America
Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational
opportunity for children facing the challenges of poverty. Founded in 1990, Teach For
America recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding college graduates and
professionals to make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-need schools and
become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity. Today, 8,600 corps
members are teaching in 52 urban and rural regions across the country while more than
42,000 alumni work across sectors to ensure that all children have access to an excellent
education. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service
network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org and follow us
on Facebook and Twitter.
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