”It’s our responsibility in working with our youngest citizens that we share the stories, history and values of being stewards of this land and place that we’re living,” says Migita.
Robynne Migita ’92
Preschool, Head Teacher
By Stacy Yuen
Preschool Head Teacher Robynne (Kurihara) Migita ’92 reflects on her years as a Mid-Pacific student and how it shaped her future.
“I was planning on being a psychologist or an interior designer,” says Migita. “I fell in love with psychology and philosophy because of Mr. (Michael) Wiesner’s class.” Wiesner, who taught at Mid-Pacific for 36 years passed away this past July.
The inspiration led her to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with an emphasis in child development and educational foundations. She also obtained a Master of Education in Teaching from UH Mānoa.
Following years of teaching in Hawai‘i’s public and private schools, Migita returned to teach at Mid-Pacific’s Reggio-inspired preschool in 2012.
The guiding principles of Reggio Emilia preschools are known worldwide as a progressive child-centered approach to learning which follows a holistic way of teaching and learning.“Our curriculum incorporates elements of Hawaiian culture,” she explains. “It goes back to looking at children as citizens of the world and starting with the culture of the place that we live. The idea is that if you can value one culture, you can value every culture.”
Respect and empathy resonates with the Reggio-philosophy.
“It’s our responsibility in working with our youngest citizens that we share the stories, history and values of being stewards of this land and place that we’re living,” says Migita. “We emphasize that they don’t have to wait until they’re older if they feel something is wrong. If they want to stand up for something, then they have the voice to do so.”
Reflecting on the past year of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, Migita says as a teacher she is simply grateful.
“Even with all the added stress that comes with a global pandemic, Mid-Pacific’s parents and grandparents trusted us with the most important thing in the world to them—their children,” she says. “Our parents are generous not only monetarily, but also with support, encouragement and giving of their time in participating online with preschool meetings and project work. We hope they know how much we appreciate them.”
When she’s not teaching, Migita, who has two children attending Mid-Pacific, daughter Tea ’ 22 and son, Fisher ’25, enjoys hiking, Ikebana, learning to play the erhu (a two-stringed bowed musical instrument) and spending time with her mother whom she describes as “my inspiration who has always been the wind beneath my wings.”