Little did Culinary I and Public Service Path Core teacher Mrs. Jennifer Sugahara know she was fated to return as a Ram after completing her student teaching in 2004 with mentor teachers Mrs. Jamie Kahalewai and Mrs. Tiffany Petersen.
“After seven awesome years at Waianae High School, I had the opportunity to teach at RHS and here I am,” Mrs. Sugahara said. “I am excited to be here and look forward to helping the culinary program flourish.”
She is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
After teaching English in Japan in the Japan Exchange and Teaching program, Mrs. Sugahara had a change in heart, despite her business degree, to pursue a different career path.
“While working minimum wage at a local travel agency I had to reassess my life and priorities. I wanted a job that would challenge me, be fun to do and allow me to spend a lot of time with a potential family. I decided that would be teaching.”
She returned to college and earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Secondary Education in Family and Consumer Sciences.
“I enjoy working with all of my students and appreciate their dedication to learning about (eating) food.”