Remembering Noreen Varney

by Dr. Robert G. Peters (Joshua ’85, Benjamin ’87), Former Head of School

Some good spirit was watching over Hanahau‘oli in 1986 when Noreen Varney (Ogamori, then) accepted a second-grade co-teaching position, beginning a long-term relationship with our ‘ohana to become a much-beloved teacher. It almost seemed fateful to me because Noreen went to college in my high school town in Western Massachusetts and was going to team with a former graduate fellow who worked with me at Smith College. They both loved writing and children. The serendipity of the connections makes me think that something aligned in the stars and brought Noreen to us, recognizing how perfect a fit she was for our progressive school, always trying to better serve children and families.

Noreen brought a quiet, but excited energy to her classrooms, no matter the age she was teaching, and modeled what a learner is for both children and adults. Ever inquisitive and reflective, Noreen asked tough questions, listened attentively to the answers and always sought a deeper understanding. Always key for her was asking, “What is important for children to learn? How can they be engaged meaningfully to learn it? How will what they learn help them understand who they are and the world in which they live” and, ultimately, “How can I, as their teacher, support the school’s mission and honor the culture of our Islands in all, and how, that I teach?”

She answered those questions through creative and meaningful units that nurtured interests and engaged children totally. As a second-grade teacher, Noreen designed a banking unit supported by Bank of Hawai‘i which promoted financial literacy and was used across the state. To make Polynesian voyaging real and meaningful, Noreen “launched” a homemade canoe on an ocean of blue tarp pushed across lower field by the trade winds (actually, strong dads). The children simulated the voyage as they traveled, learning not only about survival and cultural values, but also how our Islands were populated and the voyagers sustained. And, when one such voyage was not very successful, Noreen declared it a trial-run and a second voyage was undertaken—with a much more serious crew. Laura Brooks ’95 captured the essence of Noreen’s authentic style as quoted in the Centennial history book: “We didn’t just learn basic Hawaiian history in 3rd grade…we made our kapa clothing, dried our food in the hot sunshine and traveled across the Pacific in our handmade canoe on an overnight journey.” (p. 62) And Noreen capped it off in sixth grade when children learned about our democratic inheritance from Ancient Greece as they planned and prepared to live the life of a Greek polis member, developing their own social and governance structures for the classroom. The intent was to highlight each child’s strengths and identities to give them a solid sense of self, the “groundedness” referenced in the Mission, and to reinforce an appreciation of each other as individuals in preparation for the next step in their learning journey as they readied themselves for “Oh the places they would go.”

Ever humble, Noreen never wished to be in the spotlight and preferred to contribute from “behind the scenes,” but she was a natural teacher leader.  This was especially visible in the school’s struggles with technology. Not only did Noreen take on the role of tech/media teacher but she devoted her sabbatical to figuring out how we might integrate and implement technology in our program asking, “How will it make a difference in children’s learning?”  Taken on with the enthusiasm of all she did—and as the learner she was—Noreen led us on this journey and continued to pilot tech use in her own sixth grade classroom when the school received a Schools of the Future grant in the early 2000s. She also proved vital to our discussions of the move and subsequent transition to multiage, asking penetrating questions and designing a mathematical matrix that showed how it could be incrementally implemented.  

The legacy Noreen has left Hanahau‘oli is perhaps obvious but her most important contribution may not be so visible: the impact she had upon countless children throughout her 38 years. She delved deeply into Dr. Mel Levine’s “All Kinds of Minds,” enhancing her understanding of, and respect for the diversity of learners. Noreen recognized what was unique and special in each child, allowing the space to grow while spurring them on to set high standards. Children trusted her to listen, give them voice and agency in the classroom and hold them accountable for being a member of a group. She helped them to dream and see the possible, a gift so appreciated by parents who often remarked that Noreen believed in their children. Marcia (Cabbab) Hull (Erin ’94, Malia ’00), a Po‘e Ka‘ahele teammate, said it beautifully in a recent email: “In total support of each child’s journey (of self-discovery and beyond) she brilliantly guided each to reach goals they may never have set for themselves.  Oh what wonder, confidence, empowerment and love she tucked into their backpacks daily.”

We all send our love to Matthew and Nik ’10 and feel a deep sense of loss missing the very special person who was Noreen. And we all recognize how fortunate we were to have had Noreen in our lives. I shall remember her many gifts as a teacher and friend and hold tightly to some of the memories I treasure: Noreen, the enthusiastic beginning teacher who looked almost as young as the sixth graders; the excitement she shared as we visited High Tech High, and the pleasure she felt when returning to the Big Island with Alison and me to give a workshop; her laughter with children as they learned together; the frightening Halloween witch she became when part of the Po`e triad at assembly; caring for her much-loved class bunny who helped test the strength of bridges built in class; guiding her sixth graders in ho‘opono sessions at day’s end; joyously filling in for a sixth grader during the Maypole Dance and sharing stories from the Big Island trips and camp; her humility when presenting for the PDC during Summer Institutes; her inviting smile and warm hugs whenever I visited campus; her eagerness to help; and her on-going love of learning and these Islands. There is an emptiness where Noreen stood, but she continues to stand tall as a model of one who practiced the “art of teaching,” knowing it is “all about the children.” Mahalo nui, Noreen!

The Noreen Varney Lifelong Learning Scholarship for Teachers

Throughout her 38 years of teaching at Hanahau‘oli School, Noreen modeled lifelong learning - ever curious and embracing of challenge. Driven to earn a Master’s degree, she was accepted into the Master of Progressive Philosophy & Pedagogy program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, beginning this next step in her professional journey and naturally emerging as a teacher leader within the cohort, just as she was within the Hanahau‘oli community. 

To honor Noreen’s professional journey and commitment to lifelong learning, The Noreen Varney Lifelong Learning Scholarship for Teachers is designed to support and inspire Hanahau‘oli faculty in their continued growth and development as progressive educators, offering a scholarship for awardees to earn a Master’s degree, with preference given to the Progressive Philosophy & Pedagogy program at the University of Hawai‘i. Each Noreen Varney Lifelong Learning Scholar will carry forth her legacy of lifelong learning and elevate the level of teaching and learning at Hanahau‘oli.

This scholarship is made possible thanks to a generous lead gift by former Hanahau‘oli parents Brian and Janie Doyle (Dominic ’23, Kieran ’23, Frances ’25), who were inspired by Noreen’s dedication to lifelong learning and grateful for her positive impact on so many lives: "As with so many families before us, Mrs. Varney took Dom, Kieran and Frances under her wing to shape the capstone of their Hanahau‘oli experience, launching them with confidence and joy into middle school. We are forever grateful.”

the Varney ‘Ohana requests that gifts in honor of Noreen be directed to Hanahau‘oli School to support the Noreen Varney Lifelong Learning Scholarship for Teachers