Academics

Grade 2

Philosophy

The 2nd grade teachers are excited to take on the school year. This will be our first year as a team together. We highly encourage and promote a student-centered environment where students have ample opportunities to express their knowledge and opinions.

The grade level is split into two rooms, with one team-teaching room in room 103 and 104 and one in the second grade singleton in room 209. Mrs. Uchino will teach Technology and Career Education. Mrs. Nakama will teach Art and Health. Mr. Lorenzo will teach Physical Education and Music.

We look forward to a fun-filled school year with your children. Mahalo!

Students dancing hula at a school performance
Students at a field trip to the nature center
Students working on an art project for the Sight is Beautiful Contest
Student at the Halloween Ball posing for a picture

Meet the Team

Mr. Renz Lorenzo

Mr. Lorenzo

Mr. Lorenzo began teaching at Momilani Elementary School in 2017. Before joining the staff, he taught music at another elementary school. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies at Chapman University and his Masters in Elementary Education at Hawaii Pacific University. Mr. Lorenzo loves to include art, music and creative writing in his class routines. He pushes his students to jump into the learning pit as well as collaborate with the diverse group of voices in his classroom. On his free time, Mr. Lorenzo enjoys playing music and cooking in his kitchen.

Mrs. Lisa Nakama

Mrs. Nakama

After graduating with her BA from Biola University in California, Mrs. Nakama came home to Hawaii to earn her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Kaneohe Elementary was her first “school ohana” where she taught second, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades and became National Board Certified. Later, she joined her new family at Momilani Elementary to teach second grade. While teaching, she challenges her students to persevere, grasp new concepts, and apply their learning in creative ways.

In her spare time, Mrs. Nakama enjoys spending time with her family and helping at church. Being an avid reader, she will often be found with a good book in her hands.

Mrs. Rachel Uchino

Mrs. Uchino

Mrs. Uchino graduated from University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, where she majored in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education) and earned her teaching credential. After that, she graduated with her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  She started her teaching career at Pu’ohala Elementary School in Kaneohe and spent time there as kindergarten/first grade combo teacher as well as a third grade teacher. 

She is excited to continue her teaching career at Momilani as a second grade teacher. Mrs. Uchino is excited to challenge and encourage students to reach their full potential and to create a culture that will help them learn to be self-directed, life-long learners and community contributors. When Mrs. Uchino is not teaching, she loves dancing hula for Halau Mohala ‘Ilima, serving in the children’s ministry at church, anything Disney, the San Francisco Giants, and spending time with her friends and family.