Governor Green Appointed Two to Teacher Standards Board
The appointments include two past recipients of the Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year honor.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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Governor Josh Green announced the appointments of J. Elise Hannigan and Kristen Lum Brummel to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board on Tuesday. Both educators previously received the Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year award.
Why it matters
The board is tasked with overseeing professional standards for educators across the state, making the appointment of experienced, award-winning teachers significant for educational policy.
J. Elise Hannigan brings 15 years of experience as a public school educator to the board. The governor officially named two new appointees to serve in these roles.
The players
Josh Green
He is the current Governor of Hawaiʻi who holds the authority to nominate members to state boards.
J. Elise Hannigan
She is an English teacher at Keaʻau High School and the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.
Kristen Lum Brummel
She is an experienced educator and the recipient of the 2011 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year award.
Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board
This state entity is responsible for setting licensing and professional standards for educators in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi State Senate
This legislative body is required to confirm the governor's appointments to state boards.
The details
J. Elise Hannigan currently teaches English at Keaʻau High School and serves as the school's Freshman Academy Coordinator. Both appointments are pending approval by the Hawaiʻi State Senate.
Timeline
Kristen Lum Brummel was named Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year in 2011.
Governor Josh Green announced the appointments on September 29, 2026.
J. Elise Hannigan was named Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year in 2026.
The proposed term for J. Elise Hannigan would conclude on June 30, 2029.
Market Landscape
The appointments follow established procedures set forth by Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board governance statutes regarding the composition of the governing body. This ensures that the board maintains a connection to current classroom experiences by including recognized veteran educators.
The involvement of award-winning teachers in setting professional standards may influence future classroom policies or certification requirements. Residents should monitor the upcoming Senate confirmation process for updates on the board's new composition.
The takeaway
These appointments highlight the importance of integrating recent classroom experience into state-level policy decisions. Educators and parents should note that the final seating of these members depends on legislative review.
Further reading
For more information on state appointments, visit our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Big Island Video News.
Live Poll
Do you believe having current teachers on the state standards board improves local education quality?
