Governing School Board

Troy W. Ballard is a lifelong public educator, a champion of educational equity and excellence, and an attorney. Troy resonates closely with the mission and vision of Wai’alae School and views his role on the board as working to ensure these concepts and values are embodied within our community decision making processes. Troy attended the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa graduating with undergraduate degrees in both American Studies and Political Science. Afterwards, he attended the University of Pennsylvania graduating with a Master’s of Science in Urban Education. He additionally attended the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s William S. Richardson School of Law, graduating with a Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law and a research focus on educational equity and school desegregation. Troy currently practices law on Oʻahu supporting matters involving contracts, compliance, and miscellaneous education matters. He additionally serves as a lecturer-in-law at Richardson and Mānoa's Department of Educational Administration.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Leon Geschwind is the father of two young daughters and a proud Wai’alae parent. He is the NOAA Education and Outreach Specialist at the Inouye Regional Center. He is a believer in Wai’alae’s whole-child approach and is passionate about engaging communities around climate change science and solutions. Prior to NOAA, Leon taught middle and high school Earth, Physical, and Environmental Science, served as adjunct faculty at Hawaii Pacific University, and led the Bishop Museum science education department. He has a Bachelors in Global Environmental Science, a Masters in Educational Technology, and is pursuing a PhD in Learning Design and Technology from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Kristen Brummel has 20 years of education experience in Hawai’i’s Department of Education as an Elementary Teacher, Mentor, Instructional Coach, Presenter, Complex Area Induction and Mentoring Program Coordinator, and Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a 2014-2016 Hawaii Hope Street Group Fellow and was the 2011 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. Kristen has served on committees such as Hawaii’s Teacher Leader Workgroup, the Great Teachers Great Leaders Task Force, the Teacher Education Committee for Elementary and Early Childhood, and the University of Hawaii College of Education Alumni Association Board of Directors with the goals of learning from others and bringing teacher voice to the conversation. Kristen loves growing with her two children, Daniel (11) and Grace (8), and is excited and honored to serve the Wai’alae school community, whose mission and vision she wholeheartedly believes in.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Kawika Chun is a dedicated educator with 19 years of experience serving school communities across California, Tennessee, and Hawai‘i. Raised in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, Kawika’s educational journey includes Hawai‘i Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools, University of Southern California, Accelerate Institute, and University of Hawaii. He leads with a people-first, student-centered approach rooted in his deep connection to community and place. He is committed to cultivating a school environment grounded in joy, curiosity, growth, and equity, with a strong emphasis on Restorative Justice. Driven by his na‘au and informed by data, Kawika champions shared leadership and collective responsibility among all members of the school community. Kawika excitedly joins the Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School as Head of School, Ex Officio GSB Member.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Keʻōpū Reelitz believes every child in Hawai‘i deserves quality care and education from birth. She has spent the last several years dedicated to increasing access to and investments in early childhood care and education. Wai‘alae School Board enables her to bridge the gap from early childhood to elementary-age education and child care. Keʻōpū is currently the Director of Early Learning and Health Policy for the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network (HCAN). Previously, she worked for the State Executive Office on Early Learning as the communications lead, as the public information officer at the State Department of Human Services, at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on self-governance initiatives and as an award-winning editor of Mana Magazine. Keʻōpū is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, Loyola University Chicago and Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. When she’s not working or volunteering with Wai‘alae, she’s likely running around literally and figuratively. She’s a mom to three young children, a wife and an avid walker, jogger and cyclist.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Jordana Ferreira, currently serving as the City and County of Honolulu’s Early Childhood Resource Coordinator, is dedicated to enhancing access to quality learning environments for Oʻahu’s youngest children. She has extensive experience leading early learning sustainability and expansion efforts, supporting and advocating for increased access to early learning opportunities for young keiki and their ‘ohana across the State. A Pacific University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Jordana is deeply committed to advancing equity for young children and creating nurturing environments where all keiki can thrive. Her career began by supporting children with disabilities and their families, revealing systemic challenges that inspired her to champion systemic changes for keiki and their ʻohana. She understands the barriers facing communities firsthand and firmly believes investing in our children’s future is paramount for community prosperity.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Meredith Mimms is joyfully the mother of two Waiʻalae students and one alum. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Friends of Waiʻalae School, where she has volunteered for four years with a focus on encouraging collaboration and fostering family involvement. She is passionate about Waiʻalae’s commitment to deliver high-quality, innovative educational experiences that are both student-centered and teacher-led, cultivating an engaged and supportive school community. Meredith has taken on a variety of volunteer leadership roles throughout her children’s early education experiences and deeply values the opportunity to contribute to the Waiʻalae community. Prior to raising her family, she received her M.A. in Interior Design from The Corcoran College of Art + Design and her B.A. in Educational Philosophy from Colgate University, with interest in understanding the ways people interact with their surroundings and finding creative adjustments to enhance experiences.

Email: board@waialae.edu

Morgan Tursi is a dedicated educator with six years of teaching experience in both New York and Hawaiʻi. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo and a Master’s degree in General and Special Education from Touro University. After teaching for three years in New York as a Math Specialist, she relocated to Hawaiʻi, where she is now in her third year as a third-grade teacher at Waiʻalae School. With expertise in both general and special education, Morgan is committed to creating inclusive learning environments that foster curiosity, confidence, and a strong sense of community. She resonates deeply with Waiʻalae’s mission and vision and views her role on the board as an opportunity to help ensure these values are reflected in the school’s growth and decision-making.

Email: board@waialae.edu