Awards
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a public engagement initiative for school sustainability that is structured as a federal recognition award. By highlighting schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices, ED-GRS celebrates these institutions and brings more attention to their work.
SEEQS received the recognition as a Green Ribbon School in 2020 after demonstrating years of sustainability-focused practices. We have joined a national cadre of environmental and community advocates who are focused on shepherding the next generation of sustainable leaders.
Grand Prize: Building Hope IMPACT Award for Educational Innovation
Building Hope, the non-profit leader in charter school facilities, financing, and services, celebrates the remarkable achievements of leaders from inspirational charter schools and charter volunteer leaders nationwide. Each year the IMPACT Summit provides an opportunity to honor and celebrate these trailblazing charter schools, education leaders and volunteers. A total of $170,000 in grant awards were presented in recognition of the outstanding contributions of these schools in community engagement, educational innovation, student empowerment, and charter school leadership.
SEEQS received the 2024 grand prize for Educational Innovation amongst a competitive national list of charter schools.
Faculty Awards
SEEQS has had six Hawaiʻi Charter School Teachers of the Year, receiving the award four years in row from 2017 to 2020, 2022, and then again in 2025! These videos below were produced by the Charter Commission to highlight each teacher and their unique approach to education. Additionally, we have also had faculty selected as part of the prestigious Hawaiʻi State Teacher Fellows (HSTF) who are chosen from across all of the Hawaiian Islands for their demonstration of outstanding teacher leadership.
2025 Hawaii Charter School Teacher of the Year: Ms. Robin Cone-Murakami
SEEQS Social Studies teacher Lucas Dembart was chosen as a 2022-2024 Hawaiʻi State Teacher Fellow!
Dr. Cara Chaudron (2022)
Ms. Zoe Ingerson (2020)
Mr. Shane Albritton (2019)
Ms. Robin is the 2025 Hawaii Charter School Teacher of the Year!
Robin Cone-Murakami has been a fine arts teacher at SEEQS since 2020, and she has consistently created innovative and engaging curriculum. Beyond her arts instruction in classes like Exploring Sculpture, Naturally Creative (Nature-based Art), and Installation Art, Robin has also taught Intro to SEEQS, Physical Health, EQS ʻĀina and People, EQS Responsible Tourism, EQS Wai, and now EQS Our Moku.
Robin's passion for the relationship between art, community, and sustainability goes well beyond the classroom. She has also served as SEEQS's Yearbook Lead Editor, and this year, Ms. Robin is serving on SEEQS's School-Level Leadership Team to share her voice and expertise as a teacher-leader.
Ms. Cristin Priolo (2018)
Ms. Kay Beach (2017)