Jonathan Kissida

Master’s Degree, Elementary Education, Montessori Elementary 1 Math & Science

Bachelor of Art’s, Philosophy, University of the Pacific

Jonathan brings 24+ years of experience as an educator. His teaching journey began at a small inquiry-based school on Oahu, Epiphany School, where he learned how student interest can drive education. In his multi-age grade 1 and 2 classroom, students asked questions, researched individually and collaboratively, and presented topics of interest to ohana and community members. 

Heʻs humbled to learn from and collaborate with amazing ʻāina educators, kumu, kupuna, and community members across the Hawaiian islands, especially on Kauaʻi. He spent several summers working at Na Lauaʻe of Makana in Hāʻena. Each summer gifted daily lessons and a deeper understanding of how to be an ʻāina educator. At Kīlauea Elementary School, his kindergarten and his 6th-grade students helped him deepen his connection to ʻāina. Together we learned to care for ʻāina through the revitalization of the Kīlauea Elementary garden and service projects ranging from Kahili to Hāʻena. Countless PDs, especially from the Center for Getting Things Started and Hawaii Island School Garden Network, also added to his growth as an educator.

He looks forward to being part of Namahana School, where the values of Aloha ʻĀina, Aloha Kanaka, and Aloha i ke Ao cultivate a community of stewards. Empowering the youth to actively contribute to a resilient future on Kauaʻi is key to helping them become community advocates and entrepreneurs who develop jobs that support our ʻāīna, ohana, community, and world.