Triple Threat Teacher
Lupe Diaz, Upper School Mathematics
Lupe Diaz is arguably one of the most beloved teachers on campus. He is this year’s recipient of the school’s Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award, which he also received in 2009. Recipients of this award are selected by a vote of all members of the Upper School student body.
Diaz just completed his 30th year at the school, the last five teaching math at the Upper School. In boarding school lingo, he is a “triple threat,” a veteran in the classroom, on the field, and in the dorm. He taught math and Spanish at the Middle School for 25 years and lived in the dorms with his family—wife, Jean, and children Mihana ‘02 and Wailupe ‘06—for 18 years. He also did four years of off-campus boarding duty there, spending Sundays with his extended family.
He moved to the high school in 2006 after his son graduated so he could work with students at the next level, preparing them for college, and he is devoted as ever to HPA and his students. So devoted, in fact, that he spent four years at the high school living and working in the dorm while Jean held down the fort at home with their four dogs in Waimea.
For the record, “Jean gave me her blessing to work with the kids,” said Diaz. “She said, ‘it’s ok, go and do what you love to do.’ I love it; that’s why I do it.”
He is grateful for every moment with his students and the many gifts they give him, “All the thank yous after class for teaching them, handshakes, hugs; I cherish these gifts because it’s really special when a kid, out of the blue, comes from across campus to greet me.”
Math has always come easily for Diaz, who grew up in a Spanish-speaking home in Delano, California.
“Math was the only subject that I could excel in at school; everything else was a blur because of the language; it was pretty scary,” he recalls. “So I’ve always loved numbers.”
However, Diaz has much empathy for students who struggle with math.
“I try to let them know it’s ok to get extra help,” he says. “I try to break that fear, that barrier, by making them aware that they can do it. It’s hard, yes, but if you apply yourself, if you keep probing, keep at it, it can only get better. Finally, it becomes what I want them to have, which is a good experience in math.”
Diaz and his math department colleagues are very generous with their time when it comes to helping students.
“There are great minds here,” said Diaz of his colleagues. “We all help each other’s students.” Diaz takes calls at home, comes in early, and encouraged students to visit him in the dorm during the evening for help.
“One-on-one does wonders for their development,” he said.
In addition to his love for math, Diaz is passionate about sports. He lettered in baseball and football at Bakersfield Junior College and at Southern Oregon State College (now Southern Oregon University), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and math.
He has been involved with HPA varsity baseball for 26 years; 10 years as head coach. He currently serves as assistant coach and started baseball conditioning during the winter months to get players ready for the junior varsity and varsity seasons. For the last 10 years, he also has coached the boys cross country team, the last four as co-head coach with Kimo Higgins. He has taken 15 cross country teams (or individual runners) and four baseball teams to the state championships.
After three decades at HPA, Diaz still has enough energy to power the planet and he lights up every time he talks about “his kids.”
“That’s why I’ve been here for 30 years,” he said. “These wonderful, wonderful kids come to our school with a lot of aloha and love and they share that with everyone around them. This is just a very special place. A lot of amazing things have happened here because people care about HPA.”
After 30 years, one question remains—is retirement on the radar?
With his trademark smile, Diaz offers this response, “My wife, Jean, is an amazing woman. She teaches special education in Waikoloa and loves it. She has 10 years left in teaching, so I’m thinking I’ll take the class of 2013 through graduation and follow another class for four years. That might be the time, but I’m not sure. As long as I love what I’m doing, enjoy the kids, and have the passion to teach, you might see me at HPA as long as Dick Solmssen. HPA will always be my home.”
Lupe Diaz Honored with Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award
Upper School math teacher, Lupe Diaz, who just completed his 30th year at HPA, received this year’s Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award (see Faculty Profile on page 25). Shirley Ann Fukumoto, assistant headmaster for internal relations, presented the award and a check for $3,000 on May 9 at the Upper School Awards Ceremony.
“One of the greatest honors an HPA Upper School teacher can receive is the Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award,” said Fukumoto, who noted that the recipient is determined by a vote of all members of the Upper School student body.
“Mr. Diaz is an amazing person who genuinely cares about his students,” said Fukumoto. “He is passionate about teaching and dedicated to ensuring that students understand his class material. Students know he will always make time to answer their questions even when they are not in his class.
“Mr. Diaz is encouraging and inspirational; he is a valued teacher, coach, and dorm parent with a warm smile that is contagious.”
The Ellbogen Meritorious Teaching Award was established in 1998 by Mary Ellbogen Garland ’77, Patrick Ellbogen ’78, and Theresa Ellbogen ’82 to recognize excellence in the classroom and in every other aspect of HPA life.
Published: MKK Summer 2011
