As the new school year begins, there are a total of eight new staff and faculty joining the HBA high school and middle school ‘ohana. A few of them have close ties to the school while others are getting to know the HBA community for the first time.
Mr. Noah Pourciau (pronounced poo-sho), the new Christian Ministries Assistant, graduated from LSU and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Oahu Theological Seminary. He is the middle child of seven and grew up on the mainland. His role as Christian Ministries Assistant includes helping Mr. Charles Poore, high school Christian Ministries Coordinator, plan camps, lead core groups, as well as Christian Ministries student interns.
Mrs. Rebecca Furuhashi, Curriculum Director for the middle and high school, is married to Mr. Bryan Furuhashi, HBA’s Director of Technology. She moved to Hawaiʻi from Asia, where she graduated from the National University of Singapore, majoring in English Literature and European Studies. Her role as the Curriculum Director includes finding ways to improve the school curriculum and teaching in the classrooms, as well as ensuring that there are no gaps in the students’ learning as they move up through grade levels.
Miss Lori Carr is teaching Geometry and Honors Algebra 2. She taught high school math in New Jersey for eight years before moving to Hawaii with her cat, Princess, around a year ago. She is excited to share the goodness of God with her students and to help them in any way she can.
Mr. Brian Garriss, 8th grade English teacher, is married to Mrs. Jennifer Garriss, high school Academic and Personal Counselor. His class will be reading a variety of literature, including Touching Spirit Bear and Shakespeare. Mr. Garriss looks forward to being with the students, faculty, and lifting Jesus up through his work as a teacher.
Ms. Stephanie Nakamura, High School Library Assistant, was previously the assistant coordinator for ASEP (After School Enrichment Program) at HBA’s elementary school. Alongside High School Librarian Mrs. Arlene Huster, her role as the librarian assistant consists of many tasks including troubleshooting machines, processing books, ordering supplies, and helping students and other staff members find what they need from the library.
Mr. Shawn Sueoka is the new Assistant Athletic Director. Prior to HBA, he had eight years of athletic administrative experience in both higher and secondary education. From taking care of home sporting events in the gym to supporting HBA’s coaches and Athletic Director Mr. Deren Oshiro, Mr. Sueoka will play an important role in HBA’s athletic department.
Mrs. Anne Menks is teaching all of the basic chemistry classes and is a sophomore advisor. Previously, she had homeschooled her children as they traveled the U.S. and Japan. The Menks moved to Hawaiʻi last year. In her first week of teaching at HBA, she was pleasantly surprised by the “great eagerness” of her students and looks forward to building a good chemistry foundation for them, while also having fun doing their labs.
Mrs. Cari Sasaki is the new high school attendance clerk. Mrs. Sasaki’s husband will be stepping into the role of HBA PTF president this year. Both their children have been attending HBA since kindergarten. As the attendance clerk, Mrs. Sasaki will ensure that students are safe and accounted for, and will also help with tasks like replacing lost student IDs and confirming that the school bells are synced to the right schedule. Mrs. Sasaki is excited to meet and get to know more HBA students.
