Our Faculty

Archie Achuara

Teacher

Eastern Oregon University - B.S.

archie@ischool.org
Bio
Archie Achuara Jr. has been working at Island School since July 1, 2015. He began his career in education as a special education teacher (K-6) at Waimea Canyon School and coached Pop Warner football in Kekaha. Since then, he taught first grade for six years at St. Theresa School and transitioned from an elementary teacher to a middle school teacher as a language arts, social studies, physical education and homeroom teacher for three years. He has been a football coach at Waimea High School since ‘06 and has been involved in various ministries at St. Theresa Parish, Kekaha since ‘05. Committed to teaching students the skills needed to become Successful, Kind, Independent Lifelong Learners who are Significant people in our community. Archie has a passion for athletics and helping student-athletes achieve their goals, by teaching them life skills and how to be good people on and off the playing field.

Mr. Archies’ family are all Island School Voyagers, wife Stephanie is a 7th grade Math and Science Teacher, children Archie III ‘30 and Alexander John ‘31.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching, boogie boarding and continuously learning new things from others as well as through personal experiences.
Derrick Little

derrick@ischool.org
Ben Nause

Susquehanna University - B.M.
University of Southern Mississippi - M.M.

ben@ischool.org
Bio
Ben Nause is ecstatic to join the Island School faculty and on the island of Kauai. Born in Northeast Pennsylvania, Ben has been heavily involved with the arts in both his home town and university. He is passionate about collaborative piano, classical singing, and musical theatre. He is excited to bring his piano playing skills and voice to the island. Ben had had experience teaching music to students of all ages. In his student teaching, Ben taught middle school chorus at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. During the summers, Ben has worked at camps in New York and Michigan as counselors. In college, Ben was the president of NAFMEc (National Association for Music Educators Collegiate) during his junior year. Back on the mainland, Ben has an older sister, Angeli, and his two parents, Robert and Barbara.
Joey Palupe

j.palupe@ischool.org
Jennifer Pomroy

Physical Education & Health/Wellness Teacher

jenp@ischool.org
Bio
Ms. Jen Pomroy started working at Island School as the School Secretary in March of 2006. During that time she coached Intramural Volleyball for our Middle School. She would eventually Coach our very first KIF Girl’s Volleyball Team. In the Fall of 2008, she transitioned to the Athletic Department as the Assistant to the Athletic Director. She continued to assist with coaching Volleyball and also used her passion for hunting to become an assistant coach for Air Rifle. Since 2010, she continues to teach 8th grade girls Physical Education and Wellness, in hopes to instill in them “life lessons” along with the standard curriculum.

In the Fall of 2018, she transitioned out of the Athletic Department to teach Elementary Art and Elementary PE while continuing to teach 8th grade girls Physical Education and wellness.

Ms. Jen resides in Moloa’a and has three Voyager children. Ka’ohu (‘20), Mia (‘26) and Jax (‘32). She is the room parent for the class of 2020 and is an active member of the Voyager Booster Club.

In her freetime, she enjoys hunting, fishing and quality time with her ‘ohana. On occasion you may find her participating in random Chorus productions.
Joyce Sun

Music & Fine Arts Teacher

Biola University - B.M.

j.sun@ischool.org
Bio
Joyce Peralta is the general music teacher for the elementary school, as well as the HS ukulele teacher. She is a graduate of Biola University with her Bachelors of Music in Music Education. She previously lived in California working as a private piano instructor at both Little Chopin Studio in Garden Grove, CA and at Hills Academy in Torrance, CA, and as a substitute teacher at Calvary Chapel School in Downey, CA. In addition, she was the assistant music instructor for the Palos Verdes Children's Choir (PVCC) of Hills Academy. She is a member of the ACDA and Nation Guild of Piano Teachers.
Emily Thomas

Physical Education & Health/Wellness Teacher

University Of Hawaii Manoa - B.Ed.

emily@ischool.org
Bio
Emily Thomas has been teaching Physical Education and Homeroom at Island School since 2013. She grew up in northern Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota. Emily was active in athletics in both high school and college. After a number of years traveling and living abroad, she moved to Hawaii and received a Bachelor in Education from the University of Hawaii as well as her teaching license from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Emily is a Yoga alliance trained and YogaEd certified instructor. She is very interested in the connection between physical activity, academic learning and emotional well being and strives to spark a life long interest in physical fitness and wellness for our students. Emily hopes to empower her students to grow and thrive with healthy bodies, minds, and successful endeavors.

Emily has two daughters, Audrey and Elise. As a family, they love to exercise, travel and enjoy the outdoors.

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