LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Paula Dickey's nominator would like to remain anonymous.

Ms. Dickey makes a difference in the lives of her students. Over the past eight years that LCPCS has been a conversion public charter school, Ms. Dickey has been the foundation of her students' academic, social, and emotional success. She has ensured students are given the classes required to become successful graduates of Laupahoehoe.  Whether a student's in preschool, fifth grade, or a senior, Ms. Dickey guides parents, teachers and staff in helping them feel confident in their learning.

Ms. Dickey has assumed various responsibilities beyond the school registrar, such as academic counselor, athletics coach, booster member, school security on nights and weekends, and the coordinator for high stakes testing, the dual credit program, alternative placement, after school programs, service learning, and community activities. She lives across from the school campus and has been an active and vocal member of the Laupahoehoe community for over 20 years.

When LCPCS converted to a public charter school, Ms. Dickey was one of only three staff members who remained. It was a tumultuous conversion, and its effects are still felt eight years later. Ms. Dickey never lets this on as you walk through the doors of LCPCS, however. She is the welcome sign as one registers their child, passes her office, or stops to take on the beauty of the campus. She is the historian of LCPCS; she knows the school, families, and community, and if she is not sure, she will find someone who does.

Passion exudes in everything Ms. Dickey does. She has kept a school tradition alive that recognizes students, staff and community members in their service to the school.  If she is aware that a student needs something, she will create opportunities to make their experiences at school, and at home, hopeful. She is a master teacher and has so much to offer faculty and staff, particularly during orientation.

Ms. Dickey has a great sense of humor and knows how to make the most of very little.  As an administrative staff member, she is able to take the lead in areas that require knowledgeable leadership.  She has served on the school board twice. Both times required patience, understanding, and having the best interest of the school at heart. She has coordinated and provided assistance with the school's major events, including a school memorial and graduation. Her professional performance is meaningful and impactful for all members of our school community.

"For me, Paula is a mana wahine, a Hawaiian term for a woman of great skill and worth, who lives a life of giving and sharing, a woman of power," said the nominator. "A mana wahine is a woman with much aloha, love, and this aloha guides them in their decisions and path in life."

Ms. Dickey is definitely someone you would want to meet. She is a LifeChanger. There is so much more to this woman as an educator, community member, sister, care giver, mother, wife, and friend.