Westmont Magazine Working with Words

The Honolulu Star Bulletin honored David Loveless ’67 as one of Hawaii’s “Top Teachers” in an April 25, 1998, profile that recognized his success in building vocabulary. An eighth grade language arts teacher at Moanalua Intermediate School for nearly 20 years, David insists that students learn one new word a week.

He began this program five years ago to help students expand their vocabulary and become better writers. Words such as “bombastic,” “enigmatic”, and “quixotic” are colorfully posted on a bulletin board and broadcast on closed-circuit television with definitions and word origins. At the end of each year, students vote on the “Word of the Year.”

David, who enjoys singing and softball, looks for creative ways to teach vocabulary. For example, he wrote a song about LactAid to help them learn “lactose.”

The paper quoted Principal Caroline Wong praising David. “He’s just one of those teachers who has boundless energy and enthusiasm, combined with a heart for kids. That’s a wonderful thing.”