LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tanya Yamada was nominated by one of her colleagues.

"Our school returned to 100% in-person learning a semester before most schools in our state," explains her colleague. 
"During this time, Tanya had to help manage implementation of all the State Department of Education and State Department of Health's requirements for returning to in-person learning.  She kept staff, students, and families up to date on the latest information from the DOE, DOH, and CDC, and she helped students understand how to keep themselves safe."

Ms. Yamada was exceptional during this stressful time. When many staff and students were struggling with a myriad of fears, from worries about catching COVID, to having to take on responsibilities and methods of working that were entirely new, she was positive and cheerful throughout it all.  Even when she essentially became a contact tracer for any COVID case connected to her school and had to deal with anger and fear from many directions, she didn't waver in being loving and supporting to everyone. She is someone who always offers to help, even when her plate is already overflowing!  

"Tanya has been instrumental in keeping all of us in the Ali'iolani Elementary School community safe, healthy, and happy.  She really lives the quote by Lawrence J. Peter - 'An optimist is one who makes the best of it when he gets the worst of it.'  Even though her job turned into one of the hardest on campus, she has been a ray of sunshine to us all," said her colleague.