Teacher of the Week: Troy Kamiya
Living Noblesse Oblige
The importance of being there for others is a principle our Maryknoll Sisters have passed down to both our students and teachers here at Maryknoll School since its inception in 1927. That spirit lives on today at Maryknoll High School and is exemplified by the hard work and dedication sociology teacher Troy Kamiya has invested into helping others throughout his journey in life.
Mr. Kamiya was born in Kaneohe and later moved with his family to the town of Kaimuki. He attended St. Mark’s Lutheran School until he was accepted to Punahou School in the 4th grade. While in high school, Mr. Kamiya enjoyed playing football and being a member of the Punahou track team. His fondest memories of high school are related to his experience as a Junior Leader in Kaimuki each summer when Mr. Kamiya would lead children in helping them to become young adults. During the school year, Mr. Kamiya also worked at various places like TCBY Yogurt and Chucky Cheese. Even at work, Mr. Kamiya found himself surrounded by children either wanting to eat yogurt or play video games. In retrospect, Mr. Kamiya wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. He loved being with kids so much that he even dressed up as Chucky Cheese a few times while working in Aina Haina just so he could see the joy in the eyes of the children there.
After graduating from Puanhou School, Mr. Kamiya thought he would study the courses needed for him to become a school counselor. For that reason, he began taking many sociology courses. After four years, he attained his BA in Sociology from the University of Hawaii Manoa while working at the same time as Kaimuki’s YMCA Program Director. While in this position, Mr. Kamiya made the decision to eventually become a teacher because he was told by many people that school counselors, much like the position he held as program director, spent most of their time processing paperwork instead of being with kids. For that reason, Mr. Kamiya eventually applied for a teaching position at Maryknoll School and was hired soon after. He has been a teacher here ever since.
At Maryknoll, Mr. Kamiya began as a substitute teacher, study hall facilitator, and also administered exams to students. In time, a position as social studies teacher opened when Della Au, sister of current principal Darcie Kawamura, left Maryknoll School for a career as a politician. Eventually, former sociology teacher Mr. Eackman retired and Mr. Kamiya took over the job of teaching sociology at Maryknoll School. Over the years, Mr. Kamiya has been actively involved at Maryknoll as an assistant coach of the Maryknoll’s varsity basketball team and Senate Advisor just to name a few.
Mr. Kamiya loves working at Maryknoll School because he believes that like his former alma mater, Maryknoll School develops strong academic skills in their students. In addition to this, what makes Maryknoll School even more unique is that it also graduates students with a desire to make a difference in their respective communities. Through various projects, activities, and assignments, Mr. Kamiya does his best to teach his students that lesson and he is so proud of the many Maryknoll graduates that have continued in life with a desire to help those in need.
We thank Mr. Kamiya for committing his life to helping children and young adults reach their full potential. In this way, Mr. Kamiya has lived our school motto of “Noblesse Oblige” and we are ever so grateful for him and his work. Thank you Mr. Kamiya for being a part of our Maryknoll family for so many years.