Serena Tuliloa was nominated by her colleague, Keishia Funaki.
Ms. Tuliloa is an educator who gives her time and talents to her school and community because of her love of children and the joy she receives in serving others. Since the beginning of her career as an educator back in 2001, Ms. Tuliloa has worked as a full time teacher while also raising and supporting her own 8 children. Her family has accustomed themselves to her desire to serve the community, as they also assist her in a variety of capacities. The small community of Laie benefits greatly from her hard work towards building students' confidence and strengthening community traditions.
Laie Elementary School is located on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. It's within a mile of The Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University of Hawaii. Laie Elementary School educates students from a variety of cultures. As part of a Hawaiian cultural celebration, Ms. Tuliloa choreographs and teaches sixth graders to put on an annual performance to be shown in front of hundreds of people. Teaching all children to overcome their fears of performing on stage and helping them to strengthen their confidence are just a few of the many tasks that come with preparing for this event. The performances recognize cultures from all around the world. Ms. Tuliloa is able to do this while still teaching all subjects with her self-contained class.
Ms. Tuliloa leads and organizes a dance club for the elementary students at Laie Elementary. She organizes fundraisers to help fund their costumes while also shopping on a very small budget, often spending her own personal money towards the cause. The dance club performs at assemblies and multiple holiday celebrations. The children love participating in the dance club, which has kick-started a school-wide initiative to start other clubs that will edify the school community.
Every Wednesday, Ms. Tuliloa volunteers her mornings towards Workout Wednesdays. She is a certified Zumba instructor, and she encourages all students at Laie Elementary to be active as she leads them in Zumba workout routines before the morning bell. She also donates her time in leading free, weekly Zumba classes for community members. Ms. Tuliloa has supported multiple sports fundraisers for the nearby high school by doing Zumbathons. She donates her time and talents to help these sports teams raise money for their uniforms or other expenses.
With Laie Elementary being a Title 1 school, and Hawaii being a very expensive state, Ms. Tuliloa understands that everyone is struggling, including her own family. Despite the economic challenges she may face as a parent, she continues to give back to the community, expecting nothing in return. She has a heart of gold, and her fuel to continue serving is seeing the end result with happy, confident children or community members. Laie Elementary and the Laie community would not be the same without her.
Ms. Tuliloa is currently working towards earning a Master's degree in Curriculum Design. After working a full-time job, attending to the needs of her family, and giving up her time and talents to the school and community, she continues to strengthen her professional abilities by taking online courses in hopes of benefiting her students and her own children.
"Serena is selfless and deserves the recognition accompanied with the LifeChanger award," said Funaki.
No better example of selfless service. Always putting others needs before her own. Love my mom.
I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award! Serena is one of the most selfless people I know, always putting others first before herself! She truly is a person that “Lights the world” with her unconditional love & continuous acts of kindness!!!
Congrats Serena! Mother of 10+ kids lol. Laie’s favorite teacher. Wifey and gives free zumba classes. Superwomen. ??????
I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Serena. Speak with her and you will undoubtedly know her passion for her students, her community, and her family. She is selfless and her endless acts of kindness and service are pure aloha and what we need more of in this world. #LCOY
Serena Tuliloa is a wonderful Mother, wife, Aunty , Niece and Teacher. Having her nominated for The Life Changer of the Year Award is a blessing. She is truly a blessing to her Family, Church, Laie Elementary School and the Laie Community. She is loved and respected by everyone. As she loves Everyone. Thank you for her Nomination as LifeChanger of the Year. I’m blessed to be her Aunty.
Ann Toilolo
Best 6th grade teacher ever! Always giving back to our community.
Serena is a selfless person, who has the biggest heart!! Best candidate for this award.
I've known Serena growing up in Laie as a little child. Always giving of herself. She is talented, smart and loving. Gives of her time to the community and her family. This nomination is very deserving of her and I support it.
Yes, this nomination perfectly describes the Serena I know, love and respect. Thousands of children have grown from her giving hands and generous heart.
Serena is also the oldest of our family! She holds a very important part in our family! Her examples growing up has made an impact on us all! She has a passion for teaching, music, dancing, choreography, decorating, sports, playing the piano, and many more! She Is a hard worker! She has 8 kids The oldest just returned from his lds mission and attends NMMI, 2nd oldest is on his lds mission in Colorado, springs, next her daughter attends Taft college and will be graduating this coming May, then a senior at Punahou, twins in the 11th grade (kahuku) , 2nd grader then finally a kindagarten. She also works part time at the Marriott by sharing her Hawaiian skills with tourist. She is a very busy woman but still finds time to keep our family together. It’s amazing how in a short time notice she’s able to deliver and conquer all that we ask of her! Wishing you the best my sister! ??????
I couldn’t think of someone who would be more deserving in receiving this award. Thank you for teaching our keiki confidence, compassion and how to be an ethical contributor to society. You’re truly amazing and have changed all our lives. With much respect, honor and love... Sheena
She's selfless and trustworthy, she really puts others needs before her own! She my greatest example
Serena Tuliloa serves her community, school, church, and family. She is a hardworking mother, wife and daughter. She has a supportive husband and children and extended family that help with many projects and events that she’s involved in. I have been a witness and a recipient of her many talents especially one as an educator. She is an amazing person and loves to serve. She definitely deserves this award and much more. All the best to Serena Tuliloa.
Serena is well deserving of this. She has had lasting impacts on her students that have walked through her door and also those who weren’t even in her class. She has a way of making you feel like you are the most important person in the world. Her service for her school and community is unmatched and sometimes unnoticed because she’s not one who needs or wants the recognition but so deserving of all the praise it should come with. To top it all off she is an amazing mother. I’ve seen her navigate through her day wearing multiple hats which can be overwhelming at times but you would never see her with out a smile on her face pushing forward! She has been a life changer to so many!
I was excited when I learned of Serena's nomination, & I shared this news immediately, and added #LCOY.
Serena Tuliloa is the perfect example of service, love, devotion, and leadership. She has been the 6th grade teacher of our children at Laie Elementary, and we admire her desire and tireless hours of hard work to make Laie a better place, and to guide the future leaders--the children.
She has great support from her awesome husband and children, and she accomplishes much within the walls of her home, and in our community.
I have witnessed Serena's work, and I can truly say that she has loves the students and staff she works with, and she deserves this recognition, and much more.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for such a wonderful, influential person.
Serena Tuliloa has always gone above and beyond in any capacity she has volunteered to help with. She frequently enlists her family to help with her programs.
As a life changer, one of her most important roles is being an advocate for our students. Providing them with confidence building and fun activities. Every student deserves a teacher like Serena!
Serena Tuliloa is my wife in whom I can truly say I would be nothing without her! She is truly amazing! Thank you Keisha Funaki for nominating her for the life changer of the year. Everything you have stated is so true! She is so SELFLESS! Always putting others first! I still can’t believe how she works with children all day as a teacher and come home to raise her own children as a mother and still has the time and energy to serve others! She is truly an amazing wife and mother but most importantly an amazing person with a huge heart! We love her dearly??????
