Presidential award in math, science teaching honors UH alumni Aragaki, Kent

Reading time: 2 minutesWhitney Aragaki and Gregory Kent

A pair of University of Hawaiʻi alumni received the 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)—the nation’s highest award that a science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the U.S.

Whitney Aragaki earned her PhD in education from the UH Mānoa Department of Curriculum Studies and MS from the UH Hilo graduate program in conservation biology and environmental science, and Gregory Kent earned his MEd in educational technology and BEd in elementary education from UH Mānoa.

Aragaki: biology, environmental science, research educator

Aragaki teaches biology, environmental science and research at Waiākea High School in Hilo. In 2021, she was selected as one of three state finalists in the science category and was named the Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year. She was also selected to the inaugural cohort of the Obama Foundation Leaders USA program in 2023.

“This award underscores the impact of our daily work as science and math educators,” Aragaki said. “The teaching community in Hawaiʻi is so strong and passionate about supporting our local students, and I am in awe of the work of those that I have the honor of sharing this award with. My work is also enlivened by the opportunity to engage with youth every day, and I do not take that for granted.”

Read more about Aragaki on the UH Mānoa College of Education website and in UH Hilo Stories.

Kent: STEM, technology coordinator

Kent works with PreK–6th grade teachers on STEM units as the technology coordinator at Kailua Elementary School. He was the state finalist in the math category in 2022 and a finalist for the Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year in 2024.

“This award highlights the importance of science and math globally, nationally and in our community,” Kent said. “I really feel like I am where I belong, and this award motivates me to create more meaningful learning experiences for all of our students, including more career and technical education opportunities for our school and our community.”

Read more about Kent on the UH Mānoa College of Education website.

As PAEMST awardees, Aragaki and Kent received a certificate signed by then President Joe Biden, a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

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