About a third of the 61 new teachers recruited by Teach for America to work in the islands this year are Native Hawaiian or from Hawaii — and two are returning to their alma maters.

Waimanalo resident Shay Zykova, who graduated from Kamehameha Schools and earned her bachelor’s degree at Hawaii Pacific University, just started her new job teaching English at Waianae High School.

“Growing up (here) gives you a unique perspective, and I wanted to teach in a community similar to my own,” Zykova said. “I had opportunities to teach elsewhere but I wanted to teach in Waianae to help make public education great for the Native Hawaiian students it serves.”

Twenty of the 61 new teachers trained by Teach for America and deployed here this fall are Native Hawaiian or grew up in the islands, said Isaiah Peacott- Ricardos, communications manager for Teach for America-Hawaii.

They are joining 220 teachers already in Hawaii’s public schools who were trained by Teach for America.

The national nonprofit selects outstanding college graduates who commit to teaching for two years in high-need schools. Its goal is to mobilize promising future leaders to strengthen educational equity and excellence.

Just half a mile from Zykova’s Waianae campus, Kamaile Academy welcomed back a 2019 Teach for America corps member, Kama Pule, who graduated from the charter school. The Chaminade University graduate is teaching English.

Meanwhile, Mercy Watson, a University of Hawaii at West Oahu graduate, returned to her alma mater, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, to teach algebra and geometry.

Since 2006, Teach for America-Hawaii has recruited more than 200 teachers who identify as residents or Native Hawaiian.

Teach for America puts a priority on recruiting corps members who share the backgrounds of their students. It has a 10-year goal of having half its corps in Hawaii comprising educators of Hawaiian descent or residents.

“We are aiming for 50% Native Hawaiian and kama­aina so we have a good mix and balance of both the local perspective and diverse life experiences,” Peacott-Ricardos said.

Most Teach for America educators serve on the Leeward Coast and on Hawaii island. They tend to stay on the job beyond their two-year commitment.

Last year, two-thirds of corps members in Hawaii chose to continue teaching here after completing their first two years, Peacott- Ricardos said.