STAFF

Joanne is a retired teacher and school administrator from school districts in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Since moving to Maui in 2003 she continues to work with youth as a workshop presenter and trainer for elected student leaders at high schools and middle schools around the islands.  She was President of the Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise and now serves as Assistant District Governor for Rotary on Maui. In her "spare time" she dances hula with and Halau Hula Kauluokala.

Joanne got involved with RAP while assisting Larry in his role as Maui Site Coordinator at Kihei School and became a Parent Trainer/Presenter at Paia School in the Fall of 2009.  Currently she serves as the Program Coordinator and Assistant Training Director for Read Aloud America.

Israel Chavez , Program Specialist / Trainer: Israel joined Read Aloud America in January 2009.  Israel was born in California, but has been calling Maui home since he was 12.  In 2008, he graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in journalism, and wants to become an English teacher so he can encourage kids to read and write. 

His favorite book growing up was Maniac Magee, and when he is not writing, he likes to run and learn to cook. He's also a musician, and is a volunteer staff member with the Maui High School Marching Band, where he works primarily with the drumline.

Larry Laird, Maui Program Coordinator/Trainer, is a retired Director of Human Resources and School Principal from San Jose Unified School District in San Jose, California. After 34 years in education, he retired and moved to Maui in 2003. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kihei Sunrise. He loves to travel with his wife Joanne, and enjoys reading about people and places where he plans to visit.