Elementary Teachers

Ms. Adler is a graduate of University High School. In 2002, she graduated Dean’s List at University of Colorado with her B.A. in Sociology. She then completed her M.Ed in Elementary Education with Honors at Chaminade University. Ms Adler was trained by the Orton Gillingham Academy in 2007 and at the Slingerland Institute in 2008 in multi-sensory teaching techniques.

Mr. Jeffrey Gasda graduated from Bloomsburg University with degrees in Geology and Earth and Space Science. Upon graduation, he worked as a geologist for an environmental consulting firm in Maryland. After two years in the environmental consulting field, he enrolled and completed the graduate program at East Stroudsburg University to obtain his teaching certification. Before joining the staff at Hawaii Technology Academy, Mr. Gasda worked for 10 years in the Hawaii Department of Education. 

Ms. Celeste Faumui is a graduate of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. Before moving to Hawaii, she worked as a special education assistant for seven years, working with students with a wide range of disabilities.   

Ms. Charisse Steele earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a specialization in physical education from San Diego State University. She holds a teaching license in the states of California and Hawaii. 

Mrs. Tollefsen is a graduate of Kahuku High School and Brigham Young University-Hawaii. She started her teaching career in 1996 and has taught in both Hawaii and Utah. She has taught a variety of subjects and grades including being a specialist in music, PE, computers and curriculum.

Middle and High School Teachers

Mr. Sterling Carvalho is a native of Kauai. He graduated from Kauai High School and continued his education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, where he earned his B.S. in Math. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, he earned his master’s degree in Education and Educational Administration for Higher Education.

Mr. Dennis Imoto is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (BA Fine Arts/MA Fine Arts/Teaching Certificate Elementary Education). He heads up a series of technology based courses at HTA and is the sponsor of the school’s Robotics Club. 

Mr. Colin Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Social Studies Education. He is a certified secondary level teacher in the states of New York and Hawaii. Mr. Kennedy is the primary history teacher for middle school and high school students. He will be developing a Surfrider Club at HTA in the Spring 2010. This is a student-run environmental organization. 

Mrs. Polly Phillips is a graduate of the University of Florida earning a Master of Science Education degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany. She taught at Kapaa High and Intermediate for eight years, Hanalei Elementary for one year, and Kula High and Intermediate for thirteen years. Mrs. Phillips enjoys running, stand-up paddling, and reading. She lives in Wainiha with her husband, two children, and two dogs.

Ms. Patricia Villiarimo-Cockett is a graduate of James B. Castle High School, Windward Community College (AA-LBART), University of Hawaii at Manoa (bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education- English), and Heritage College (master’s degree in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction). She also has 100+ credit hours from Maui Community College, UH Outreach Maui Campus, UH Hilo and UH Manoa in the areas of agriculture, history, sciences, and Hawaiian studies; as well as a Hawaiian Studies certificate from Maui Community College. She has 36 PD credit hours in Family Consumer Sciences, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. She is board-certified in the areas of Secondary English, Family Consumer Sciences, and Agriculture.