Teacher of the Week: Deanne Lee
Living Noblesse Oblige
Sometimes people spend their entire lives reaching for their dreams without ever experiencing them. In the case of Deanne Lee, she knew exactly what her goal was after graduating from Maryknoll High School and worked hard to make her vision of becoming a history teacher at her alma mater a reality.
Deanne Lee entered Maryknoll Grade School as a fifth grader and thoroughly enjoyed her years as a student there prior to becoming a freshman. However, it was her experience in high school that led her to eventually become a teacher. In particular, three teachers at Maryknoll High School made all the difference. Fortunately for us, all three people are still employed at Maryknoll High School. According to Deanne, “Mrs. Kawamura, Mrs. Morey, and Mr. Suzuki were amazing teachers that inspired me to become a history teacher at Maryknoll School.”
When Ms. Lee graduated from high school, she knew that she would study history at the University of Hawaii with the hope of one day teaching that subject at Maryknoll School. In particular, Ms. Lee loved studying art history and travelled to various countries in Europe during her college years to see in person the artwork she loved so much as part of an educational opportunity the University of Hawaii provided its students at the time. After graduating with a BA in History, Deanne continued her studies at the University of Hawaii and attained a graduate degree in Secondary Education with a focus in History. Soon after, Ms. Lee was hired by Maryknoll School as a teacher. Deanne currently teaches American History and Art History at Maryknoll High School and is enjoying every moment of it.
Ms. Lee says that her years as a student at Maryknoll School shaped her character and prepared her academically for college and for life. Today, she works hard to emulate the teachers who provided her those same opportunities. When Ms. Lee is not writing lesson plans or correcting papers, she spends her free time reading, writing, ballroom dancing, and cooking.
Deanne Lee is living our motto of Noblesse Oblige by giving back to the school that has brought her so much. As seen in the picture above at the Honolulu Museum of Art, Ms. Lee’s students are captivated by all they are learning from her. Thank you Ms. Lee for choosing to return to Maryknoll and for making the commitment to inspire others in much the same way your teachers at Maryknoll did for you.