Three days before each school year begins, Noelani Elementary teacher Kristen Brummel sends a postcard to each of her incoming fourth-graders at the Manoa school.

She writes a personal note introducing herself and tells them about some of the exciting things they will be doing in her classroom.

"I feel grateful to be a part of their lives," Brummel said. "I just write about some of the things they have to look forward to."

The postcards are among a myriad innovative ways Hawaii’s 2011 Teacher of the Year excites her students about coming to school and learning new things.

Brummel’s selection, announced yesterday at a Board of Education meeting at Castle High School, puts the Noelani School teacher in the running for National Teacher of the Year.

"Her wish is to inspire children and instill a confidence in them," said Kathryn Matayoshi, state schools superintendent, at the meeting.

Brummel, a seventh-year teacher who has been at Noelani since 2003, said she felt humbled and blessed to receive the honor.

"My own teachers were such an inspiration to me," said Brummel, who attended Noelani herself from kindergarten through sixth grade. "I knew that education would always be a part of my life."

Brummel, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Hawaii, added that she cherishes her memories of attending Noelani and wants all her students to have similarly good experiences at the school.

"Mrs. Sekiguchi was my kindergarten teacher at Noelani," Brummel wrote in her Teacher of the Year application. "I vividly remember her kindness and the special care that she showed to each of us."

Brummel’s mother, Norene Lum, said she has seen her daughter in the classroom and is amazed at how she can control — and captivate — her students. Lum said she did not always know Brummel would become a teacher, but was certain she would go into a profession where she could do what she does best, which is to nurture others.

"If it wasn’t teaching, it would be something else where she would be helping others," Lum said. "I’m just very happy for her, thrilled."

Brummel calls her classroom a "world of discovery" where students are encouraged to ask questions and search for answers.

During the first few weeks of school, Brummel and her students exchange "getting to know you" letters. And at the end of the year, she writes each child a note that touches on their time together and encourages them to chase their dreams.

Brummel also integrates technology in her classroom to get students and parents engaged and to keep track of student progress.

She has interactive white boards, electronic student response systems, an online grade book and a website to correspond with parents and share student work.

When she is not in the classroom, Brummel is a mentor teacher, a guest lecturer, educational consultant, blog writer, after-school Lego robotics instructor and volunteer.

Suffice to say, says her husband, that she rarely sits down.

"She’s very dedicated," said Matt Brummel, laughing.

Apparently, her students think so, too.

In a nomination letter, one of Brummel’s students wrote that "even without the award, she is the best in our book."

The student added, "I know when I have my kids and grandchildren, I will tell them about her. I want them to know how teaching should be to every kid."