Ashley Henry 

Lead Teacher, Keiki 3s

Ashley Henry is originally from Pennsylvania, and graduated from Chatham University. She earned her Master in Arts in Teaching, with a focus on Montessori philosophy from Chaminade University. In her free time she loves to care for animals including her five cats. Ms. Ashley and her husband enjoy SUP boarding on the weekends and they teach Ludo Sport Hawaii (lightsaber combat classes). 

Skyela Jackson

Educational Specialist - Keiki 3s

Skyela Jackson is the K3s Educational Specialist. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Hawai’i Pacific University in 2023, and her passion as an educator is to spread kindness throughout the world with the power of learning. She looks forward to teaching her students to choose love and aloha every day!

Shelly O'Brien

Educational Specialist - PreK

It is with a joyful heart that Shelly O'Brien returned home  to East O‘ahu after a long stint living in Europe. She works with Mrs. Eveland in the Pre-K classroom, and relishes working in the school garden. From a school gardening teacher to an elementary librarian and Enrichment Teacher, Ms. Shelly has enjoyed working with children of all ages over the past 20 years.  She loves working with the keiki at HNS, and seeing the morning rainbows here in the little school in the valley !

Petey Kaneshiro

Lead Teacher - Kindergarten

A transplant from New York in 1968, Anna Ruth Peterson Kaneshiro, known as "Petey," graduated with a BA from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Petey has taught a generation of Hawks at Holy Nativity School, serving as Lead Kindergarten teacher since 1989. She is also a proud alumni parent — her sons Daren and Dean attended HNS from preschool through sixth grade.

Kimberly Janssen

Lead Teacher - 1st Grade

Kimberly Janssen graduated with a Master’s in Teaching with a specialization in elementary education from Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia. She believes in the importance of structured literacy and the value of phonics in reading development, and is passionate about expanding children's reading and spelling abilities, especially since reading is an INTEGRAL skill necessary for many facets of life. She enjoys traveling and exploring new countries with her husband and daughter.

Connor Torres

Education Specialist - 1st Grade

Connor Torres is a proud alumnus of Holy Nativity School, Kamehameha Schools, and is a graduate of Seattle University, with a B.A. in Film Studies. Since graduating college, Mr. Connor has worked in education and gathered a newfound passion in providing a safe space for students and helping them become the best version of themselves, all instilled from the "Personal best" motto that was chanted at the start of every week of his elementary school days.
 

Nancy Greenberg

Educational Specialist - 2G

Nancy Greenberg is an honor graduate in Family Consumer Science and over twenty years of management and administration experience. She is thrilled to bring her love of early education back to her hometown.

Maddie McGraw

Lead Teacher - 3G

Maddie McGraw grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She attended Mt. St. Mary's University in Maryland for her undergraduate studies and graduated from the University of Portland with her master's degree.  Ms. McGraw brings a wide breadth of experience, having previously been a learning support specialist and teaching middle school social studies.

Alan Ching

Lead Teacher - 4G

Alan Ching has taught a generation of Hawks at Holy Nativity School, teaching since 1996. He enjoys teaching 4th grade and seeing the growth in his students, who take more ownership for their education, start to ask inquisitive questions and take more responsible risks in class.  He looks forward to their annual Big Island trip each spring, and enjoys coaching Hawks Athletics.  Alan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands. 

Sakiko Sugihara

Educational Specialist - 4G

Sakiko Sugihara has started her career at HNS as a counseling intern in 2016. Sakiko serves as both Education Specialist in fifth grade and teaches school-wide weekly Mindfulness to all HNS classes. She loves to help students succeed both academically and interpersonally. 

Liz Cunningham

Educational Specialist - 5G

Liz Cunningham has been part of the Holy Nativity School family for a major portion of her life. She is a graduate of HNS, and has worked as a teacher here since 1989. Liz finds it especially rewarding providing valuable “TLC” in the classroom and on the playground. Working as an Education Specialist, she finds great satisfaction tending to the smaller, but no less important, needs of the children.
 

Jenna Kieburtz

Lead Teacher - 6G

Jenna Kieburtz joined the Holy Nativity School team in 2014. She was born here on Oahu, but was raised in the beautiful state of Washington. Jenna received her Bachelor’s in Sociology and Master’s in Teaching from Washington State University. Jenna taught internationally in Shenzhen and Chengdu, China. She is grateful to have the experience working with the international community abroad. Jenna first grade students learn to be kind and considerate members of their community, while also embracing the many opportunities to explore, inquire, and develop their individual passions.

Lisa Fong

Music Teacher

Born and raised in Hawai'i,  Ms. Fong received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Music from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. Co-owner of FONG Piano Studio with her sister, Robin, she has over 30 years of teaching experience as well as experience as a Registered Behavioral Technician working with autistic children. As Music Teacher, she excited to share her love and appreciation of music with the keiki of HNS. 

Pepper Bunting

Physical Education Specialist and Athletic Director

Pepper, or “Coach Pepper” to students, has been teaching/coaching for 15 years. She’s passionate about developing a love for exercise in children. There are so many life lessons that can be learned through sports and team building!