Meet our Administrators
Meet Our Principal
October 10, 2024
Warmest Aloha to the ʻOhana of Konawaena Elementary:
I am honored and delighted to join the respected staff of Konawaena Elementary School. As your new Principal, it is my privilege to serve alongside you in the coming years. Mahalo for bringing your very best every day, because that is what our keiki deserve. Ours will be a school that inspires creativity, sparks joy, and expects excellence from all our students. This year, our theme is The Roots are Strong, and we will be drawing upon the experience and expertise of the roots (our veteran teachers and advocates) to elevate learning to new heights.
As we continue to move forward together, know that our team is committed to collaborating and finding solutions together. We are listening to your voice and responding to the needs of our community. My core values are to help our students pursue excellence and to inspire joy in our education. In practice, this involves working alongside our academic teacher teams and being present in classrooms. I want us to be confident that our instruction is delivered at the highest levels. Similarly, our work for the next year is to refine our intervention processes to better address learning gaps in our keiki who are not reading or calculating at grade level.
Our team is fully committed to providing ROAR behavior expectations for all students in all school locations. We believe that support and interventions must be trauma informed, creating alternatives to suspension and punitive discipline. This Restorative Practice approach is key to teaching our students how to successfully navigate conflict later in life.
May we Ne’epapa - move forward together in partnership and unity - for the sake of our keiki. We welcome your collaboration and support as we shape the next generation of Wildcats and Wild Kittens!
With gratitude and aloha,
Jessica Dahlke
Konawaena Elementary School Principal
Meet Your Vice Principal
Chelsea Qualey
Hello, everyone! I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce myself as your Vice Principal, Chelsea Qualey. My journey in education has been driven by a deep passion for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. I am a proud Konawaena graduate and am honored to give back to the community that has given me so much.
I'm here to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, and a warm smile to all our students, teachers, and parents. Whether it's organizing exciting events or working behind the scenes to ensure smooth operations, I'm dedicated to making our school community the best it can be.
With years of experience dedicated to the growth and well-being of young learners, I'm excited to bring my expertise to our school's leadership team. Together, let's embark on an incredible journey of learning, discovery, and friendship!
Vice Principal Qualey
Meet Your Vice Principal
Dr. Michelle Chambers
My name is Dr. Michelle Chambers, and I am truly honored to serve as one of your Vice Principals this year. I am humbled to have been called to serve this beautiful community and am proud to be a Wildcat! I am SO excited to get to know YOU, your unique story, and all about what makes Konawaena Elementary a special place to be.
As my family and I recently moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i from Colorado, we are SO grateful to join the Konawaena ‘ohana and are eager to learn, grow, and thrive together. At Konawaena Elementary, the roots are strong. Mahalo for ALL that you do to nurture our roots so we can care for our keiki together. I look forward to collectively creating a learning community where all feel heard, valued, and have a sense of belonging. At Konawaena Elementary, we ROAR together!