Inspiration in Action: Coral Balubar’s Path Through Teaching and Leadership
For Coral Balubar, Mid-Pacific is more than a place for learning—it’s a vibrant, living community that has shaped her as both a parent and an educator. Over the last eight years, Balubar has become a familiar and deeply respected presence in the elementary school, guiding children through their formative first and second grade years with warmth, intention, and boundless curiosity.
As a multi-grade teacher, she teaches students over the course of two years. This extended time with children and families, she says, allows for a depth of relationship and trust that traditional classrooms can rarely match. “You’re not just teaching lessons—you’re growing alongside them. You celebrate their milestones, you witness their growth, and you hold space for who they are becoming.”
At the heart of Balubar’s teaching philosophy is inquiry-based learning. She designs a curriculum that invites wonder, exploration, and imagination. One of the most powerful examples of this came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a classroom investigation into birds led to the discovery of a manu o‘ku chick, just outside the classroom window. “It was a moment of magic,” Balubar said. “The children named the chick, observed its transformation, and formed an emotional bond with it. That experience taught them far more than any worksheet ever could.” What made the discovery even more special is the manu o‘ku is also the name of their classroom.
Balubar’s classroom is often filled with the joyful hum of discovery. Whether it’s building “brain caps” to learn about emotional functions or prompting a weeklong investigative game with a mystery box containing “The Five Best Toys of All Time” (spoiler: it’s imagination, stick, box, string, and dirt), she invites students to engage with the world through play, curiosity, and reflection. “I want children to see that learning is everywhere—and that they have the power to shape what it looks like.”
Next school year, Balubar will be stepping into a new chapter in her Mid-Pacific journey as assistant principal of the elementary school. Her excitement is palpable. “I’m looking forward to supporting our incredible teachers, helping them dream big, and continuing to work closely with students and families,” she says. “I see my role as a connector—someone who helps bring out the best in others by building relationships and nurturing collaboration.”
When asked to describe Mid-Pacific in one word, Balubar doesn’t hesitate: “Inspiring.” And she means it in every sense of the word.
Mid-Pacific inspires its students to lead with curiosity and compassion and inspires educators like Balubar to constantly innovate, reflect, and grow. Mid-Pacific also inspires families to become partners in their children’s education and part of something larger than themselves.
“Mid-Pacific is a place where everyone is seen, where ideas are welcomed, and where creativity is the norm,” Balubar explained. “That’s not just inspiring—it’s transformative.”