West Maui principal to lead Canoe Complex
Rebecca Winkie, the principal of Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena Elementary School, has been named complex area superintendent for the Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area.
The state Board of Education approved the appointment of Winkie on Wednesday to replace longtime educator and current Complex Area Superintendent Lindsay Ball, who will retire on June 30 after 13 years in the position.
Often referred to as the Canoe Complex, the area includes 11 schools spanning three islands.
“Nothing could make me more proud or excited than the opportunity to represent and advocate for the four unique communities of the Canoe Complex,” Winkie said in a news release Wednesday.
An 18-year DOE veteran, Winkie served as vice principal of King Kamehameha III Elementary and taught at Kalama Intermediate and Lanai High and Elementary before coming to Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary, where she has been for four years.
Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena is the only elementary school in West Maui to offer a Hawaiian language immersion program for all students, according to the DOE.
“Dr. Winkie’s deep knowledge of the Hana-LahainalunaLanai-Molokai community as well as her proven track record in leading and collaborating with schools and the community will ensure her success as a complex area leader,” DOE Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said. “Her work with student subgroups, including special education, English learners and underserved populations will be a value-added asset as she leads efforts to advance strategies, interventions and deliverables to close the achievement gap and raise academic performance.”
Winkie earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in middle childhood education and her doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision from Georgia State University. She was a teacher and administrator for 15 years in Georgia.
The DOE said that Winkie will serve as deputy complex area superintendent effective April 1 until she fully transitions into the superintendent role on July 1.
“Dr. Winkie has been a positive influence and collaborative team member since she first joined the Canoe Complex Area,” Ball said. “I’m confident that she will bring those same attributes to the HIDOE leadership team.”