A Waianae Intermediate School vice principal has been selected as Hawaii�s 2010 State Assistant Principal of the Year. Bernadine �Bernie� Taaca is one of 52 vice principals nationwide being honored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Taaca has a bachelor�s degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and began her career in public education in 1980 as a special-education teacher at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. In 1981, she began teaching health and physical education at Waianae Intermediate. Taaca was appointed one of Waianae Intermediate�s three vice principals in 2002.

This year�s honorees will be celebrated at the annual Assistant Principal�s Forum and Banquet in Washington, D.C., next month. From the state winners, three finalists are selected to become eligible for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award.