For Waiakea High School (WHS) math teacher Rory Inouye, teaching is a family affair: his father, mother and brother are educators. A graduate of WHS himself, Inouye brings a fresh enthusiasm to his classroom every day, so much so that it is not uncommon to see full groups of students visiting during recess or lunch. By helping to create a safe space for students to think critically and collaboratively, Inouye has contributed to notable increases in student proficiency on state assessments year after year.
Inouye’s classroom is an interactive hub for all students, where he tailors lessons and curriculum to their diverse learning backgrounds, levels, styles and talents. A firm believer in student-led learning, Inouye roots his classroom in higher-order thinking and problem-solving. He fuels collaboration and uses student work as his constant guide. Valuing relevancy and real-world situations, he will often draw from compelling math podcasts and use online technologies like the Desmos Classroom platform to improve students’ understanding of mathematical concepts in a fun, engaging way. These are only a few elements that make Inouye’s classroom a destination for observation by other schools and leaders.
Outside of the classroom, his leadership shines throughout the halls of WHS where he serves on the faculty of the WHS Freshman Academy, manages after-school tutoring, advises Homecoming, and led his freshmen students through a life goal-setting project that they presented to WHS and community members. His influence extends to new and veteran teachers alike who regularly come to him for advice and encouragement. A former baseball player at WHS, he later coached the team to award-winning status.
Inouye received his Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2011 and his Master of Education in 2013 from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Press release: Hilo Hometown Hero Rory Inouye Scores $25,000 National Milken Educator Award
