Jackie Sills ’89; P ’04, ’11

Kindergarten Teacher

808-930-0072 ext. 7157

“Kumu Jackie” (kumu means “teacher” or “source”) was born on O’ahu, has lived on the Big Island since 1984, and is a graduate of Parker School. Prior to becoming a founding member of the Parker Lower School faculty in 2005, she taught at Kamehameha Preschool, Waimea Elementary School, and served as a valuable Parker ‘ohana member for many years, helping her husband, Maintenance Director “Uncle Eric” Sills, in preserving the school’s historic buildings. Kumu Jackie is a proficient Hawaiian language speaker and incorporates values of Hawaiian culture into her curriculum. She received a bachelor’s degree with honors in early childhood education from Chaminade University and a master’s in education administration from the University of Scranton. She is always striving to learn more, do better, and seeks out professional development opportunities as much as possible. Jackie and Eric have four daughters, two of whom are Parker School graduates, and nine grandchildren, two of whom attend Parker School, making their family the first to send three generations to Parker. “I have a passion for teaching, nurturing the whole child, and meeting the child where they are academically and emotionally,” says Kumu Jackie. “I believe it is important to create a learning environment that allows the children to reach their fullest potential while enjoying the process. I wish for my students to become enthusiastic learners, critical thinkers, and responsible and respectful individuals that are positive members in their community.”